Auckland’s iconic motor sport venue, Western Springs Speedway, opens for the summer racing season on November 1st. The famous ¼ mile dirt oval speedway roars into life for its 79^th year of racing tomorrow night.

Early season practices this month saw large crowds and record car numbers on track.

 

The increase in competitor numbers seems to be going against the trend of many other motor sport codes. The V8 Sprint cars at Western Springs have seen the largest rise in entries with drivers from all over New Zealand and overseas set to fill the start grid this Saturday night.

 

The return of 8 times New Zealand Champion Allan Wakeling and current NZ title holder Carl Wilson to the Auckland oval will set the speed bench-mark for newcomers to the famous track.

 

Rookie driver, and past New Zealand TQ champion, Ryan O’Conner joins veteran drivers Kevin Hinchcliffe and Ron Salter at the Salter Motor sport team. The 18 year old made his presence felt in a big way in the TQ Midget class and many pundits are predicting an interesting season ahead for the youngster.

 

Another young driver making his debut at the Springs will be Christchurch driver Jamie Duff starting his 3^rd year of racing on the dirt. He will be joined by Queenstown’s Jason Scott, both drivers planning a racing summer in Auckland.

 

“The pace is so quick and the competition so fierce at Western Springs it is the ideal track to gain experience and increase your speed” said Scott “If you’re going to be quick enough to compete in the International series later in the year you’ve got to be here all season.”

 

Hamilton’s Tommy Rusher and last season’s International Series winner Greg Pickerill also head north along with Tauranga’s Dean Brindle. Jamie McDonald had a mixed season last year and will be hoping for big things this summer.

 

The Midget class welcomes a number of rookies this year and farewells veteran driver Bryce Townsend who retired at the close of last season. F2 drivers Lance Fox and Nick James move up to open class midgets. Angus McLeod will pilot the 88 car powered by the New Zealand developed V8 which won the Australian championship in March.

 

Michael Pickens returns from a winter racing in the USA and will be a tough competitor for other race favorites Brad Mosen and Shayne Alach. New Zealand champion Shaun Insley faces a serious challenge from former champions Michael Kendall and veteran Graham Standring.

 

A new track surface has been laid during the off season to alleviate some issues with rough race track’s that plagued the racing towards the end of last season. The track has more banking and a different clay composition which will provide a more stable faster racing surface.

 

Allan Wakeling and Midget ace Shayne Alach were impressed by the improved track.

 

“The new track is mean, Town bend is super quick” said Alach “once the high groove is used there’s going to be some slick passing moves possible”.

 

The 12 race meetings scheduled at Western Springs for 2008/09 include two International Sprint Car series rounds including the $20,000 Western Springs Classic on the 3^rd January 2009. The World Midget series starts in late January, the 4 race meetings are run over two weeks and the $135,000 prize purse will be contested by record driver entries from the USA and Australia.

 

The NZ Midget Grand Prix in March seems a long way off with so much action and world class racing ahead over the next 5 months.