Hundreds gathered in Auckland this morning to protest a decision to shut down Western Springs Speedway.
After 96 years of operating at Western Springs, today marks the final speedway event before it was set to move to Auckland’s Onehunga.
After decades of debate, notably over noise from events at Western Springs, Auckland Council voted late last year to move speedway racing activities to Waikaraka Park, sited between industrial sections of Onehunga and Penrose.
Tonight, the popular quarter-mile dirt oval would host a final Legends Night, headlined by Midgets, Sprintcars, and other open-wheel categories.
The march began shortly after 9.30am, closing part of Auckland’s Great North Rd as hundreds of motorsport enthusiasts with banners and signs took to the streets.
One of the protest organisers, Craig Steinbring, said the new venue could not match the Springs for heritage, culture and “sense of family” that 96 years has built at the natural amphitheatre.
“We’re marching today ‘cause want to save Western Springs Speedway,” one of the marchers told 1News. “We feel a bit railroaded.”
Another said: “I don’t want to see it go. I love it.”
Auckland Council’s economic and cultural promoter, Tātaki Auckland Unlimited, had yet to announce what would be done with Western Springs, which also hosted large outdoor concerts and annual events such as Pasifika. The 10-hectare “Springs” was also home to the Ponsonby Rugby Club.
In October last year, Auckland councillors voted 11-8 to spend $11 million upgrading Waikaraka Park, readying it to host events this year.
Motorsport fans have long opposed the move, and some accused Auckland Council of mishandling the process.
Auckland councillor John Watson said people turned out to protest as they had begun to realise they have been treated unfairly by the Auckland Council.
“I think there’s a very strong prospect this’ll be put to a judicial review,” he said.
“There’s been a sorry litany of abuse of process. A number of groups have been misrepresented.”
Watson said he understood a King’s Counsel had been engaged to challenge the council processes that led to the decision to close.