Traction lacking in speedway dispute

Speedway bosses warned last night that if a deal cannot be brokered this week, the sport in Auckland faces a bleak future.

Thousands turned out on Saturday to march in support of racing at Western Springs Stadium.

Speedway promoter Dave Stewart said he was heartened by the support, but could see no way to break the deadlock.

Racing was cancelled on Saturday night by its organisers after they said they could not meet an Environment Court ruling forcing compliance with noise limits.

Ironically, it would probably have been cancelled anyway because of the weather. But more than 3000 braved the rain and hail to march in protest at the noise restrictions.

A meeting is planned tonight to resume the talks that broke down before the weekend. But ominously, last night there was still no time and place set for the meeting.

Mr Stewart said that if talks failed to find a resolution, "I just don't know where we go".

The Auckland City Council has unanimously agreed to support the speedway at Western Springs Stadium and it has been handed a petition signed by about 35,000 people calling for action to save the 75-year-old event.

Deputy Mayor Bruce Hucker said there were signs that agreement could be reached.

He is banking on a joint approach to the Environment Court by speedway organisers and residents opposing the racing, requesting the lifting of a compliance notice to keep under 85 decibels.

He said the short-term priority was to get cars back on the track for the remainder of this season.

Springs Stadium Residents' Association spokeswoman Kim Farr told the Herald on Sunday that residents would be satisfied only if noise was within the legal limits.

"That is the law, that is our right," she said.

Mr Stewart, too, was sceptical about an agreement.

"The council is trying to bring together two groups who have never seen eye to eye."