Speedway fans have been left “fuming” after an Auckland event was called off just minutes before it was due to begin, with huge crowds already lining up outside the gate.
The “Easter spectacular” at Waikaraka Speedway, featuring fireworks and a demolition derby, was scheduled for a 6pm start on Saturday, but was scrapped at 5.20pm after the track failed a final inspection, sparking questions about why critical checks were left so late.
Promoters have since admitted communication fell short, as frustrated families waited up to an hour with little information before the cancellation was finally announced.
The event
was postponed to this coming weekend.
Howick mum of seven Carissa Graham waited in line outside the speedway with her family for 40 minutes before she was told it was cancelled.
The cost of buying food for the event, along with filling up her van with diesel amid skyrocketing fuel prices, really added up, she said.
“I was fuming, I had all my kids who were understandably impatient … just really frustrating.”
Graham said a large crowd formed outside the ground, none of whom knew anything about the cancellation until a message came over the loudspeaker.
She often takes her family to the speedway, but said she might rethink going in the future after last weekend’s events.
“I don’t want to go and spend all that money again, and then it gets called off.”
In a statement on Facebook, Waikaraka Speedway acknowledged it needed to “act faster” with communication if it suspected an event would need to be cancelled.
It said Speedway New Zealand’s head official inspected the track on Saturday afternoon and found stones on the surface, meaning it would not be signed off.
This was surprising for staff, it said, as the track had “looked good” throughout the day and “significant” preparation work had already been completed.
Many phone calls were made by the promoters trying to “explore every option” to make the event happen, the statement said, but the risk of “significant” fines was too high.
“We know the delay in making this decision, along with the lack of timely communication, caused frustration and may have come across poorly.
“For that, we are truly sorry. There was never any intention to mislead anyone or place profit ahead of our supporters.”
It said refunds would be provided for those who wanted them, or the passes could be reused this weekend when the promoters aimed to restage the event.
Speedway New Zealand refused to comment on why the track inspection could not be undertaken sooner.
It confirmed assessments were carried out on Friday and Saturday, and both failed.
“Track officials and staff made a strong and genuine effort to address these issues within a very tight timeframe, and their commitment to bringing the track up to standard is acknowledged.”
It said decisions not to pass the track were “not taken lightly”; however, health and safety remained the priority.
The track was reopened last November after an $11 million upgrade, which included a new, purpose-built track, speedway safety wall and catch fence, new lighting, improved toilet facilities and enhanced safety features.
The upgrade was the final chapter in a bitter fight over which venue was to be the home of speedway in Auckland, with Waikaraka Park replacing Western Springs as the city’s home for racing.
Speedway NZ earlier said it was “blindsided” by the forced move.
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