Loud cheer for 'quiet' start to speedway races

Western Springs speedway promoter Dave Stewart. Picture / Greg Bowker

Noise levels at Western Springs Speedway last night were well under the agreed limits as a new racing season kicked off .

About 2000 fans turned up to cheer 17 races, an event that speedway promoter Dave Stewart admitted did not seem likely earlier in the year.

Local residents won an Environment Court case, forcing the speedway to comply with Auckland City Council's 85-decibel noise limit.

The new season was only possible after an agreement last month between the council, speedway, and the residents.

Though official noise readings will not be known until the weather conditions are factored in, initial results were encouraging.

"We haven't recorded anything over the specified levels [last night]", said consultant to Auckland City Council Jon Styles, who was monitoring decibels at the grounds' boundary.

The instruments could not have accurately read the noise levels if the wind was too strong. He would know only today if official results would be possible after checking the wind speed. A council representative will monitor noise levels at every race.

By last night's third race, noise levels were creeping up to 90 decibels. Among the strict rules of the agreement, 60 per cent of the noise from the races must be under 90 decibels, the rest under 88 decibels.

Mr Style said the ratio from last night's unofficial readings was 40:60, leaving the speedway some breathing room before the 60:40 ratio.

"You could even say the noise was well under [the limit]," Mr Styles said.

Mr Stewart said there seemed to be some louder cars during the third race and individual vehicles might need to be tested to ensure noise levels remained compliant.

"But at least we have a season."