KEY POINTS:
The term "black track" crops up often in the speedway safety debate.
It conjures up images of underground racing, with the implication of lower safety standards.
In fact "black track" is a term used mainly by Speedway New Zealand to refer to non-affiliated courses.
Not surprisingly, the people who run these tracks don't agree with the label.
Meremere Speedway club president Wizz Hobson says the main difference between Meremere and an SNZ track is that the cars race in the other direction.
"Our safety issues and our roll cages are up to spec."
The other big difference is that competitors don't need a racing licence - a normal car licence will do fine.
Meremere has its own website and even publicises its race meets on television.
No spectators have been injured at the track in the last 10 years and the air ambulance has been called to crashes only twice in that period.
If anything, black tracks seem to be an entry level stage of speedway racing, a bit more laid back and less expensive for those just finding their feet.
"We are a bit more family oriented. We have a junior class and also ladies and mechanics classes," Hobson said.
