Draft:Ruapuna Speedway
Speedway race track
From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
Ruapuna Speedway is a 1/4 mile dirt track located in Christchurch adjacent to Euromarque Motorsport Park. Formerly known as Templeton Speedway, Ruapuna is New Zealand's only purely open wheel speedway. Despite having a large history with motorcycle classes over past years, the track shifted towards a purely open wheel speedway focus. Motorcycles now sit permanently at Moore Park Speedway. Ruapuna has hosted many prestigious events including New Zealand Championships, the Sprintcar & Midget Gold Cups, and the BT Race 4 Mates.[1] The track has pulled in many international competitors to race at the track across multiple classes and is a well known facility within New Zealand and Internationally.
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Submission declined on 12 April 2026 by ChrysGalley (talk).
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This draft has been resubmitted and is currently awaiting re-review. |  |
Comment: The topic is surely notable, however some more work is needed on sources. A lot of text is sourced to Facebook, including one substantial list. See WP:RSPFB for why that's not going to work. The other sources seem non independent, and some areas fully unsourced. So we need some more work on this with some input from independent reliable sources (Herald, Stuff, other local media) and where the only list source is on social media, the best that I can suggest is to replace it with a comment on where it is to be found and use External links. ChrysGalley (talk) 07:49, 12 April 2026 (UTC)
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| Location | Christchurch, New Zealand |
|---|---|
| Coordinates | 43°31′50″S 172°28′47″E |
| Operator | Christchurch Speedway Association |
| Opened | 1962 |
| Former names | Templeton Speedway |
| Major events | Hydraulink War of the Wings BT Race 4 Mates Sprintcar Gold Cup Sprintcar Salute to Goodie Midget Gold Cup All Associated New Zealand Championships (when rostered) |
| Website | ruapunaspeedway |
| 1/4 mile oval | |
| Surface | dirt |
| Length | 0.25 mi (0.40 km) |
History
In 1959, the Aranui Speedway based near the centre of Christchurch's ever growing CBD was forced to close and was subsequently torn down to make way for housing developments. To ensure the future of speedway continued in Christchurch, the Christchurch Speedway Association was formed and construction began on a new track at the Templeton Domain. The new Templeton Speedway opened on April 29th, 1962, with a daytime race meeting. The track faced issues with the foundation and racing did not return until the mid portion of February 1963. Templeton hosted it's first night time meeting at its return. [2] The 1980's beckoned a new era for the now renamed Ruapuna Speedway taking on many important New Zealand championships, including four New Zealand Sprintcar and Solo Championships. [3] Ruapuna has continued to grow in fields and crowd numbers with new promotions ideas like Carnival Fireworks Night and Speedweek adding to the tally.[4] Ruapuna Speedway hosted the 2022/23 New Zealand Sprintcar Championship and held a sold out crowd.
Events
Sprintcar Gold Cup
Beginning in the 2001/02 New Zealand Speedway Season, the Sprintcar Gold Cup began as a prestigious event for all Sprintcar drivers around New Zealand and the world to tick off their bucket list. [1] The event has drawn many large names from across New Zealand, Australia and the United States, including former winners Buddy Kofoid, Allan Wakeling, Trevor Green, Jamie Larsen, Jonathan Allard, and Joel Myers Jr. [5]
The 2024 edition of the event paid out $20,000 to win as a part of the inaugural Ruapuna Speedway Speedweek, tallying up 20% of the $100,000 prize pool. $60,000 was paid out during the combined Gold Cup / Salute to Goodie feature with the winner taking $20,000 and the remaining $40,000 being split between the rest of the field. [6] The $20,000 sum is one of the largest amounts ever paid out to a winner of a New Zealand Speedway event, while the $60,000 overall prize pool was the largest amount offered by a club run Sprintcar event in New Zealand.
Sprintcar Gold Cup Champions
| Season | ||||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Winner | Race No. | Second Place | Third Place | |
| 2025-26 |  Joel Myers Jr |
2NZ | Jonathan Allard |
 Jock Goodyer |
| 2024-25 | Joel Myers Jr |
3NZ |  Jamie Duff |
Matthew Leversedge |
| 2023-24 | Joel Myers Jr |
1NZ | Jonathan Allard |
Michael Pickens |
| 2022-23 | Stephen Taylor |
9N | Connor Rangi |
Jamie Duff |
| 2021-22 | Jonathan Allard |
11USA | Jamie Larsen |
Jamie Duff |
| 2020-21 | Jonathan Allard |
2NZ | Matthew Leversedge |
Stephen Taylor |
| 2019-20 | Buddy Kofoid |
1NZ | Jamie Duff |
Matt Honeywell |
| 2018-19 | Buddy Kofoid |
8USA | Jamie Larsen |
Rodney Wood |
| 2017-18 | Jamie McDonald |
71A | Jamie Larsen |
Matt Honeywell |
| 2016-17 | Jonathan Allard |
2NZ | Dean Brindle |
Daniel Eggleton |
| 2015-16 | Jamie Larsen |
3NZ | Jamie McDonald |
Jamie Duff |
| 2014-15 | Jamie McDonald |
3NZ | Dean Brindle |
Jamie Duff |
| 2013-14 | Jamie Larsen |
82M | Jamie McDonald |
Dean Brindle |
| 2012-13 | Jamie Duff |
19A | Jamie McDonald |
Ray Baughan |
| 2011-12 | Jamie Duff |
19A | Allan Woods |
Matt Honeywell |
| 2010-11 | Colin Entwistle |
68M | Ian Easton |
Jamie McDonald |
| 2009-10 | Allan Wakeling |
27A | Ricky Logan |
Jamie McDonald |
| 2008-09 | Bill Rose |
5USA | Allan Wakeling |
Kevin Freeman |
| 2007-08 | Ricky Logan |
10USA | Dean Brindle |
Steve Buckwalter |
| 2005-06 | Trevor Green |
Garry Brazier |
Greg Clemence | |
| 2004-05 | Colin Entwistle |
68M | Kevin Clive |
Gerard Ness |
| 2003-04 | Allan Wakeling |
27A | Tommy Rusher |
Phil Game |
| 2002-03 | Phil Game |
77A | Allan Wakeling |
Gerard Ness |
| 2001-02 | PJ Chesson |
1USA | Bud Kaeding |
Allan Wakeling |
Midget Gold Cup
As Midget car racing grew at Ruapuna in the late 2010s and early 2020s, a new initiative to form a similar event to the Sprintcar Gold Cup, but for Midgets became apparent. The event on its inaugural run drew many North Island cars who travelled down for the event. While the event is yet to score a international competitor, it remains one of the most hotly contested events on the New Zealand Midget car calendar.
Midget Gold Cup Champions
| Season | ||||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Winner | Race No. | Second Place | Third Place | |
| 2025-26 | Alec Insley |
71A | Brad Mosen |
Mitch Fabish |
| 2024-25 | Jeremy Webb |
88C | Regan Tyler |
Luke McClymont |
| 2023-24 | Alec Insley |
71A | Jack Low |
Jeremy Webb |
New Zealand Championships
Ruapuna Speedway, like all Speedway New Zealand officiated tracks around the country, are placed into a rotation for specific New Zealand Championships. Ruapuna has played host to many New Zealand Championships as well as multiple New Zealand Grand Prix's and South Island Championships all for varying classes. Ruapuna's first New Zealand Title was in 1964 and most recent in 2025.
New Zealand Sprintcar Championships Held
| Season | Winner |
|---|---|
| 2022/23 | Daniel Thomas |
| 2016/17 | Jamie Larsen |
| 2011/12 | Sammy Swindell |
| 2005/06 | Kerry Jones |
| 2003/04 | Allan Wakeling |
| 2001/02 | Allan Wakeling |
| 1999/00 | Allan Wakeling |
| 1997/98 | Allan Wakeling |
| 1995/96 | Kerry Jones |
| 1992/93 | Kerry Jones |
| 1985/86 | Ronald Hobbs |
| 1983/84 | Roger Gleeson |
| 1981/82 | Selwyn Everett |
| 1979/80 | Roger Bertram |
| 1976/77 | Harry Pierson |
| 1974/75 | Peter Annan |
| 1973/74 | Peter Annan |
| 1970/71 | Peter Annan |
New Zealand Midget Championships Held
| Season | Winner |
|---|---|
| 2023/24 | Brad Mosen |
| 2019/20 | Michael Pickens |
| 2014/15 | Brad Mosen |
| 2012/13 | Michael Pickens |
| 2006/07 | Michael Pickens |
| 2001/02 | Michael Kendall |
| 1994/95 | Matt Thompson |
| 1989/90 | Graham Standring |
| 1981/82 | Owen Shaw |
| 1977/78 | Ted Tracey |
| 1972/73 | Barry Butterworth |
| 1970/71 | Eddie James |
| 1969/70 | Eddie James |
| 1967/68 | Edwin Murray |
New Zealand TQ Championships Held
| Season | Winner |
|---|---|
| 2024/25 | Jeremy Webb |
| 2018/19 | Jeremy Webb |
| 2013/14 | Duane Todd |
| 2009/10 | Glen Durie |
| 2002/03 | Stephen Harker |
| 1991/92 | Dick Webb |
| 1983/84 | Stephen Todd |
| 1980/81 | Wayne Denovan |
| 1975/76 | Paul Sutherland |
| 1968/69 | Brian Prestidge |
| 1965/66 | Clive Rhodes |
New Zealand Solo Championships Held
| Season | Winner |
|---|---|
| 2006/07 | Andrew Bargh |
| 2002/03 | Sam Taylor |
| 2000/01 | Graham Hartshorn |
| 1998/99 | Mark Jamieson |
| 1995/96 | Mark Thorpe |
| 1992/93 | Mark Thorpe |
| 1989/90 | Larry Ross |
| 1987/88 | Larry Ross |
| 1984/85 | Larry Ross |
| 1982/83 | Mitch Shirra |
| 1978/79 | Larry Ross |
| 1973/74 | Ivan Mauger |
| 1971/72 | Bruce Cribb |
| 1970/71 | Frank Shuter |
| 1967/68 | Ronnie Moore |
| 1966/67 |  Howard Cole |
| 1964/65 | Murray Burt |
New Zealand Sidecar Championships Held
| Season | Winner |
|---|---|
| 2013/14 | Paul Humphrey / Ben Franklin |
| 2005/06 | Nick Edmonds / Paul James |
| 1995/96 | John Hannon / Jason Wallis |
| 1987/88 | Robert Vandenberg / Ken Dommett |
| 1979/80 | Bruce Turner / Bruce Heglin |
| 1976/77 | Graham Pullan / David Molyneau |
| 1974/75 | Les Dwight Jr / Steve Unwin |
| 1973/74 | Les Dwight Sr / Graham Pullan |
| 1971/72 | Les Dwight Jr / Gavin Cox |
| 1969/70 | Dave Tomkins / Lloyd Tomkins |
New Zealand Minisprint Championships Held
| Season | Winner |
|---|---|
| 2004/05 | Dave Kerr |
| 2001/02 | Shaun Cooke |
| 1998/99 | Kevin Jamieson |
| 1994/95 | Richard Battersby |
Other Events
Ruapuna Speedway is a key host to the Hydraulink War of the Wings Sprintcar series, hosting upwards of two rounds per year. [11] Additionally, for all but one year of it's tenure, Ruapuna has played host to the BT Race 4 Mates. The 'BT' is a series of heat races and a feature race for Midgets and TQs dedicated to Bryce Townsend. Multiple North Island competitors come down for this event with over 25 cars registered for the 2026 edition. Another staple on the calendar is Carnival Fireworks Night, a November/December regular on the calendar holding racing, carnival rides and fireworks at the end of the night.[12][4][1]
Ruapuna also hosted a $100,000 Speedweek, where multiple large events took place over 4 days of racing within the span of 8 days. The New Zealand Sprintcar Grand Prix headlined the first two days, while The Sprintcar & Midget Gold Cups headlined the final two days. The Midget Eliminator, Wingless Sprint Rumble, Salute to Goodie and BT Race 4 Mates were all supporting the inaugural event as major races. The second event hosted both Gold Cups, the Salute to Goodie, Midget Eliminator and Wingless Sprint Rumble as usual, joined by the TQ 20 Lapper and Lightning Sprint Clay Cup. This event took place during the 2023/24 and 2024/25 seasons before it was split up into two separate events for the 2025/26 season. [5]
Promotions
Ruapuna Speedway is well known for their increased promotions presence in recent years. Recent events like Carnival Fireworks Night, $100,000 Speedweek, Last Man Standing Sprintcar Race and the King of the South Midget Eliminator have all been highly successful promotional ideas from the track.[4][1] The track runs a bi-weekly TV Show labelled 'Methanol Madness', currently hosted by Louise Smith and AJ Batt, reviewing and previewing the racing at Ruapuna each week. [13] Hero cards are available every race meeting for fans to collect and get autographs from drivers.
Visiting Drivers
Ruapuna Speedway has played host to many visiting drivers and riders from other parts of New Zealand, Australia, the United States and the United Kingdom. Many overseas drivers have taken on the Ruapuna events early into their career, before moving up the ranks in their home country. Notable drivers / riders that have raced at Ruapuna Speedway include:
Joel Myers Jr
Marcus Dumesny- Jonathan Allard
- Tanner Holmes
- Kaleb Montgomery
- Brenham Crouch
- Buddy Kofoid
- Sammy Swindell
- AJ Foyt
Michael Pickens- Zach Daum
- Zeb Wise
- Jock Goodyer
- Spencer Bayston
Track Records
As of April 2026, the current track records at Ruapuna Speedway are as follows:
| Category | Time | Number | Driver | Date |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Oval (1962-Present): 0.40 km | ||||
| Sprintcars | 0:12.630 | 0USA | Jonathan Allard |
April 22nd, 2022 |
| Lightning Sprints | 0:13.854 | 8C | Liam Astle |
April 6th, 2024 |
| Midgets | 0:14.147 | 2NZ | Brad Mosen |
February 3rd, 2024 |
| TQ Midgets | 0:15.186 | 67A | Kaleb Currie |
January 21st, 2021 |
| Wingless Sprints | 0:15.846 | 5M | Luke McClymont |
April 22nd, 2022 |
Track Awards
Speedway New Zealand
| Year | Category | Nominated work | Result |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2025 | Volunteer Speedway of the Year | Ruapuna Speedway | Won |
| 2025 | Promotional Event of the Year | Ruapuna Speedway Speedweek | Nominated |
| 2025 | Best Media Support | Methanol Madness | Nominated |
| 2025 | Promotional Item of the Year | Temporary Tattoos | Nominated |
| 2025 | Community Initiative of the Year | Ruapuna Crowd Engagement | Nominated |
| 2024 | Volunteer Speedway of the Year | Ruapuna Speedway | Won |
| 2024 | Online Presence of the Year | Ruapuna Speedway | Won |
| 2023 | Event of the Year | New Zealand Sprintcar Championship | Won |
| 2021 | Promotional Event of the Year | Carnival Fireworks Night | Won |
| 2015 | Speedway T-Shirt of the Year | Sprintcar 40th Anniversary T-Shirt | Won |
| 2015 | Promotional Item of the Year | Collectors (Hero) Cards | Won |
| 2014 | Speedway Poster of the Year | NZ TQ Championship Poster | Won |
| 2014 | Promotional Item of the Year | Mail Drop Cards | Won [a] |
| 2014 | Speedway T-Shirt of the Year | NZ Sidecar Championship T-Shirt | Won |
| 2010 | Best Presented Club Speedway Facility | Ruapuna Speedway | Won |
| 2010 | Best Website | Ruapuna Speedway | Won |
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