Motorsport: Speedway meeting a 'nightmare' as promoters keep noise down

Speedway promoters at Auckland's troubled Western Springs say the fans were patient but last night's Boxing Day meeting was a nightmare.

Races, including a test between Australia and New Zealand, were either cut back or stopped as the promoters tried to stay within an 85 decibel limit imposed by the Environment Court after local residents complained of the noise.

Promoter Dave Stewart said in a statement the trans-Tasman Challenge, the first of the summer's seven international events, could not be completed because the eight midget cars on the track breached the noise level.

The first test between New Zealand and Australia was stopped and the cars on the track reduced from eight to four -- two from each country.

Mr Stewart said the encounter "lost its fizz like a can of flat lemonade."

Only the Kiwi Kidz races for children aged as young as seven, regularly came under the noise level at the boundary.

"Even with two mufflers on each Sprint Car, that division was regularly reduced to coasting around the track under yellow lights. Two Sprint Cars were black flagged and banned from racing."

The highlight was the patience of the crowd of almost 10,000, he said.

"They were obviously frustrated, but they responded well to a public address system apologising for the situation,"

About 61 people left early and took up an offer of a free ticket to a future event as compensation. Two Australians from Sydney were given a full refund.

Mr Stewart said this week would be one of evaluating options.

"We can't in all conscience run an event of this nature again," he said.

"It's simply not fair on our drivers or fans. We'll talk to the Auckland City Council to see if there's anything they can do to help out and we'll be looking at legal avenues with the Environment Court again."

He confirmed the international series would go ahead, but the format and venue had yet to be determined.

"The Americans and Australians will be here for the January 15 start date. That's a given. How and where they'll be racing is still to be worked out."

Official noise levels should be available on Wednesday.

Mr Stewart said he was confident the speedway had complied with the Environment Court noise levels.

- NZPA