Where the Western Springs Fight Actually Stands
Speedway raced at Western Springs for 95 years. It does not race there now, and whether it ever will again is sitting with the High Court.
With the 2026/27 season opening in under a fortnight, here is the whole thing in order, and what is still undecided.
What happened
In October 2024, Auckland councillors voted 11-8 to spend $11 million upgrading Waikaraka Park in Onehunga so it could take the classes that raced at Western Springs. The vote consolidated Auckland's two four-wheel speedway venues into one.
Western Springs held its last speedway meeting in March 2025, closing a run that began with motorcycle racing on 30 November 1929 and took in midgets, sprintcars, TQs and a long parade of international visitors.
Waikaraka reopened on Saturday 29 November 2025. Auckland Council calls it the first new speedway track built in New Zealand in nearly 25 years. It has lighting towers producing 500lux for broadcast, a pit area for up to 130 racers — 40 more than the old one — and a lease running to 2051.
"Aucklanders and visitors can now enjoy a modern, international-standard speedway facility, with faster racing and an improved fan experience."
— Nick Hill, Chief Executive, Tātaki Auckland Unlimited
On the concrete facts, the new track is real and it is good. That is not the part in dispute.
What is in dispute
Speedway New Zealand did not agree to close Western Springs, and has said so publicly. President Lani Thompson told RNZ the organisation backed upgrading Waikaraka but had never supported shutting the Springs. General manager Aaron Kirby went further, describing the official advice that went to councillors as a misrepresentation.
The Western Springs Speedway Association has lodged a judicial review in the High Court at Auckland, challenging the lawfulness of the council's decision. Its case is that the council relied on selective evidence and did not consult properly.
It also alleges that documents used in the decision-making were fabricated or tampered with, to suggest a level of support for the move that did not exist. That is an allegation, made by one side in live litigation, and it has not been tested. We are reporting that it was made, not that it is true.
The hearing was held on 14 July 2026. As at late August there is no published decision, and there was never any expectation of a quick one.
Separately, councillors voted 15-6 during 2026 to redevelop the Western Springs site as a multi-purpose venue under the Western Springs Bowl banner.
What it means for this season
Nothing, practically. Auckland speedway runs at Waikaraka Park and Rosebank this season, and both have their dates up. The judicial review does not put cars back on the Springs for 2026/27 whichever way it goes.
What it decides is whether the process that ended 95 years of racing was lawful. For a sport where most clubs sit on council land, that answer matters well beyond Auckland.
Where this site stands
We do not have a side in this. Western Springs is listed here as a heritage track with its closure recorded, Waikaraka is listed with its full season, and both will be kept accurate.
If the High Court rules, it goes on the page the same day. If you spot something here that is out of date or wrong, tell us — no account needed.
Sources: RNZ on the council vote and Speedway NZ's response; RNZ and the NZ Herald on the judicial review; Speedcafe for the August 2026 position; Auckland Council's own release for the Waikaraka figures and the Nick Hill quote.