Waikaraka Park speedway back, but temporary seats may not be enough

The Waikaraka Park raceway was slapped with a condemnation notice for the 1942 American-built grand stand days before they are due to open for the first race meeting of the year. Photo / Greg Bowker

Speedway fans are assured of a belated resumption of racing at Auckland's Waikaraka Park on Saturday night - but should take their own seats, blankets or tarpaulins.

The Auckland Stock and Saloon Car Club says they should arrive well-equipped "just in case" there are not enough temporary seats to make up for the loss of the park's elderly grandstand, which has been declared off-limits.

Speedway track manager Bruce Robertson acknowledged today that the advice was probably an under-statement, as 700 seats provided by Auckland Council in a temporary grandstand were likely to fall far short of what was needed.

"We really need another 2000 seats - we would be a bit embarrassed if too many people turned up."

Mr Robertson said a meeting on Saturday - four weekends after Waikaraka's summer season was supposed to start - was proceeding only because of a need to run the opening round of a national supersaloon car racing series.

"We have an obligation to run it," he said of the Burger King-sponsored contest.

He had considered moving the event to Hawkes Bay, but was unable to find a suitable date.

Many fans will have to sit on a grass embankment opposite Waikaraka's fixed grandstand, which has fallen foul of an adverse seismic safety report.

Mr Robertson said that although the club had stocks of tarpaulins, spectators including family groups should bring their own, in case those ran out.

He also described as "hopeful thinking" a statement on the car club's website that more seating was being arranged for the rest of the racing season.

That depended on the success of an application to the New Zealand Community Trust - which distributes proceeds from pokie machine gambling to non-profit organisations - for funding for up to 1400 more seats.

A decision initially expected early this month has been delayed until November 24.

Auckland Council has said it remains committed to supporting speedway events at Waikaraka "as an important community activity" but cannot allow further use of the 73-year-old grandstand without strengthening its wall and supports.