Guest Posted March 1, 2014 Report Share Posted March 1, 2014 I have been reading the latest edition of 'Australian Speedway World' (March 2014 edition) and there's a lengthy article that casts doubt on the ongoing future of Western Springs. Written by Michael Burgess of the 'New Zealand Herald' it indicates that motorsport could end there by 2017. Basically it admits that the venue, which originally opened in 1929, has just got too old to continue. Idid try to find a link to the story but failed. The article is far too long for me to bother about trying to precis but I am sure we will be hearing more about what is happening - or going to - at Western Springs as time goes on. While most of the article cncentrates on problems for the main formulas - midget cars and sprint cars - I saw no mention of the Speedway GPs. One last line: promoter Bill Buckley is quoted: "The facilities at Western Springs are a struggle for us - we have outgrown them." Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
PHILIPRISING Posted March 1, 2014 Report Share Posted March 1, 2014 THIS is not new. The City authorities want to move motorsport away from Western Springs into a new venue on land provided by them out of town and nearer the international airport and have been trying to force Buckley out for several years. They believe the venue - now surrounded by housing which it wasn't originally, shades of West Row (Mildenhall) but on a much bigger scale - is more suited to cricket than midget cars. Buckley is fighting them in his usual combative style and has been given a stay of execution but he is not a young man and may feel that it will become a battle not worth fighting. I did an hour-long radio programme with one of NZ's leading sports commentators last year aimed at drumming up public support for the continuation of motorsports at such an iconic and traditional venue but even he admitted that he felt like swimming against the tide. 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
westhamboy66 Posted March 2, 2014 Report Share Posted March 2, 2014 Was it likely that the three year GP contract was going to be extended? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest Posted March 2, 2014 Report Share Posted March 2, 2014 Buckley is fighting them in his usual combative style and has been given a stay of execution but he is not a young man and may feel that it will become a battle not worth fighting. I know how Bill Buckley feels.....! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
SteveLyric2 Posted March 2, 2014 Report Share Posted March 2, 2014 Was it likely that the three year GP contract was going to be extended? I thought this year was the final year of the NZ SGP with the current Promoter?! Maybe why Aussie is being rumoured for 2015 as a possible replacement in the schedule?! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
PHILIPRISING Posted March 2, 2014 Report Share Posted March 2, 2014 I thought this year was the final year of the NZ SGP with the current Promoter?! Maybe why Aussie is being rumoured for 2015 as a possible replacement in the schedule?! IT is although negotiations for an extension are on-going. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Recommended Posts
Join the conversation
You can post now and register later. If you have an account, sign in now to post with your account.
Note: Your post will require moderator approval before it will be visible.