Speedway gets council backing

Auckland City councillors last night unanimously agreed to support the speedway at Western Springs Stadium - but their vote will not necessarily ensure the popular event's future.

A motion was passed before more than 100 racing fans - and a few residents who oppose the noisy event - to ensure the speedway stays open.

But the motion stopped short of increasing the acceptable noise limit from 85 to 90 decibels, as speedway promoters had hoped.

The Environment Court last week found the event must comply with the noise limits.

Last night, frustrated fans said complying with that limit reduced the number of cars in each race to six, from the usual 20. It also left the future of the 75-year-old speedway in doubt.

But councillors agreed during the meeting that no one wanted to lose the iconic event and all parties needed to get together and resolve the problem.

Councillor Scott Milne, who moved the support motion, said generations of families, children, parents and grandchildren had enjoyed the spectacle and the council had a responsibility to do all it could to ensure that continued.

He warned that Auckland was already getting a reputation as being "fun-unfriendly, business-unfriendly and sport-unfriendly" following the lack of support for the V8 supercar race.

The motion was amended from instructing the chief executive to work with promoters, to including Mayor Dick Hubbard and Deputy Mayor Bruce Hucker as key players.

This brought concern from some who claimed that Dr Hucker - who had asked Mr Milne half an hour before the meeting not to present his motion - was against the speedway.

But Dr Hucker said those claims were untrue and he did support the speedway.

After the amended motion was passed, one speedway fan said it was a first step in saving the event.

Shane Preston, a racing crew member, said he was surprised the council had voted the way it did.

Springs Promotions employee Anne Marie Winstone said the decision did not really make much difference because the noise level had not been changed and that was what was threatening the speedway.

A meeting is planned for today between the residents' action group that opposes the excess noise and the promoters who say the event is "not much of a show" if it complies with the court decision.

Dr Hucker is expected to chair the meeting, called for by Mr Hubbard, who wants a resolution to the issue.

In the past two days, the mayor has received 1000 letters about the survival of the event.

Mr Hubbard described the speedway racing as "traditional and precious", and hoped that all parties could resolve the issue.

Dr Hucker said the council had consistently said it wanted speedway to continue at Western Springs.

* A "Save Our Speedway" march starts at 4pm tomorrow and goes from St Joseph's Church in Great North Rd to the stadium entrance.

THE SPEEDWAY SAGA

Last week: Uncertainty hangs over the future of racing at Western Springs after residents win an Environment Court decision ordering promoters to comply with noise limits.

Saturday: Racing goes ahead and complies with noise limits but promoters say it was 'not much of a show'.

Wednesday: Mayor Dick Hubbard calls for urgent talks over the future of the "traditional and precious" racing.

Today: Deputy Mayor Bruce Hucker will chair a meeting between a residents' group and promoters in an attempt to resolve the matter.