In November 1929 a new track was opened up at
Monica park in Woolston, and after the two tracks went head to head for one
night, the more affluent Monica Park Promoters bought out the interests of
Christchurch Speedways Limited and shut down the English Park track.
The continuous stream of top overseas riders
gave the locals plenty of chances to gauge their skills against the best in
the game, and soon a few of the local riders started to make a big
impression on the sport. Percy Lunn, Norm Gray and Charlie Blacklock were
the first home grown stars of the Speedway. These three were involved in
many memorable clashes, particularly when the Chevrolet Gold Helmet was
being contested.
While the depression of the thirties caused
some interruption to proceedings with no racing in 1934 and several short
seasons late in the decade, perhaps the biggest blow to Speedway was the
death of Charlie Blacklock in a crash in 1935. Blacklock had been the
first of the locals to travel to Britain to seek fame and fortune.
In 1938 a group of Midget Cars with drivers
from Australia, USA and Auckland added a new dimension to the previously
"bikes only " Speedway. Among the early US Midget drivers were Duane Carter
who went on to race in the famed Indianapolis 500 race. (he also had the
distinction of winning the first ever midget race in NZ at Western Springs)
A noted driver who started his career at Monica Park
was Frank Brewer who became known as "Satan" Brewer and was to be rated as
world class. He was never to race again at this track though.
With the outbreak of World War 2 , the Monica
park Speedway shut down for good. In 1947-48 tracks opened up at the
Halswell domain and Tai Tapu, breaking the drought. Then in late 1948
construction started on the speedway track in Rowan Avenue, Aranui. This was
previously the site of the New Brighton Club's hurley burley course. It had
an electronic starting system and a beam timing system.
(photo of Aranui taken March 1949.
Press announced it had seating for
18,000
and was a 440yd. cinder track)
On
January 29th 1949 the Aranui speedway opened up under the direction of
Promoter, Alec Pratt,
(see sketch at right)
who had previously run Taita Speedway in Wellington.
For the next 10 years the Aranui speedway became one
of the greatest tracks in the Speedway world with such great names as Ronnie
Moore, Barry Briggs, Ivan Mauger, Mick Holland, Trevor Redmond
(see photo below at left) and Geoff Mardon learning the ropes at the track.
Part way through Aranui's tenure
Midgets, Sidecars, TQ,s and Stockcars were introduced to the Speedway
public. All good things must come to the end and in 1959 the Aranui Speedway
became a victim of the urban sprawl and what had been a fine speedway
stadium, was torn down to make way for a housing development.
To keep the sport going, the Ellesmere Motor Club started up a Speedway at Osbourne Park, Doyleston. This ensured that not too many competitors lost interest and it bought time for the Christchurch Speedway Association who were feverishly hunting for a venue closer to the city. See also Ellesmere speedway page.
Eventually construction began on a Speedway stadium at the Templeton Domain, now known as Ruapuna Park. Stock car scrambles were held as a way of earning funds to build the new track. Somehow the club managed to survive many organizational hassles and on 29 April 1962 the track opened up with a daytime meeting. Problems with the tracks foundation meant that the track did not reopen until the 16th of February 1963 but one plus side was the tracks lighting system had been set up and night speedway was back on the scene.
The late 1960's and 70's were great days for Speedway in Christchurch with many of the worlds great competitors racing at Templeton at some stage or another. Visits by the English Solo Test Team and American Midget Cars always attracted big crowds with the traffic jammed for several miles as eager Speedway fans made their way to the track. Among those to race at the speedway have been legendary figures such as USA icons A.J Foyt, Mel Kenyon and Bob Tattersall. Australians Ron Wanless, Jim Airy and Ronald MacKay. Denmarks Ole Olsen. Sweden's Anders Michanek and Ove Fundin and scores of competitors from far away shores like Japan, Holland, Hungary, Slovenia and Italy.
Apart from a three season flirt in the mid 1980's with private promoters, the Templeton track now known as Ruapuna Speedway, remained as a club operated affair. While the sport has to contend with more competition for the entertainment dollar, there is hope on the horizon that Speedway racing will return to its former glory.
For the 2005/6 season, the speedway will be promoted by Springs Promotions, who also hold the reins of the world famous Western Springs track in Auckland. With new promoters the track has a new identity with it renamed Powerbuilt Speedway, in light of a sponsorship arrangement with Powerbuilt Tools. The Christchurch Speedway Association continues to operate, as a landlord of the track and as an organization for competitors and supporters to belong to.
(On right is Jack Parker at Aranui in 1952.)
ARANUI SPEEDWAY from the book "Aranui--a speedway legacy" by Alan Batt.
There was much more to the Aranui speedway than the 182 race meetings held
at the Rowan Avenue site. As far as Speedways go it had a huge following,
particularly during the first four seasons when inter provincial rivalry for
the Uniweld Golden Helmet was almost as big as Ranfurly Shield Rugby.
The names of the competitors rolled off the
end of sporting fanatics tongues as readily as test rugby and cricket
players names did and a large supporters club which organised many "after
race "dances which gave the fans an opportunity to mingle with the
competitors.
Ronnie Moore, Barry Briggs and Geoff Mardon
all got to ride the tractor at Wembley which signified a first three placing
in the World Championship.
Of course Moore's two World titles and the
four won by Briggs have gained them a place among Speedways immortals but
Mardons terrific third placing at the 1953 final must never be forgotten.
Another Aranui 'old boy' Trevor Redmond
also made the World Final in 1954 but his place in the sports history is
perhaps more assured due to his standing as one of the most dedicated
Promoters of speedway in both Britain and South Africa.
And then there is Ivan Mauger.
He started off as a raw novice
(see photo at right) in 1955 and went on
to win six individual World Speedway Championships as well as many Pairs,
Teams and Long Track titles. This places him as one of the greatest Speedway
riders of all time.
For each of these superstars there were
many others whose big night came when the gates to the Aranui speedway swung
open.
Aranui was their Wembley.
The Sidecars, Midgets, TQs and Stockcars
also had their heroes.
John Shaw and Rex Burt went on to win New Zealand TQ Championships while
Trevor Hall was desperately unlucky not to join Bill Harris as a New Zealand
Midget Car Champion.
Throughout the eleven seasons that Aranui
ran it had some very capable promoters.
Alec Pratt, Ted Beckett, Les Moore, Des Wild, Alison Holland and Pat Doling
all left their mark on the place.
It was a Speedway that launched many dreams
and shattered others and despite its relatively modest facilities, it
deserves its place as one of the greatest Speedways that ever opened its
gates.
Aranui
produced many champions. Wonder how many came from these "
Ultra
Midgets" in the 1955 season at left?
More to follow.
Return to NZ Speedways.
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On right is the "Golden Helmet" which
was presented in 1948 by Uniweld in Christchurch for NZ inter track
competition.
It is currently in Southwards Museum.
(See Kevin Hayden page)
On left we have 1952 Aranui Mascot Billy Philp
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