OXFORD SPEEDWAY.
Oxford Speedway runs once a month right throughout the year on about the third Sunday of every month and is located on Carleton Road, Oxford (off South Eyre Road), It is signposted from the Tram Road turnoff from the Northern Motorway. Advertising for events and dates is in the Christchurch Buy Sell and Exchange on the Friday before racing. Racing starts at 11am with the gates opening at 8am.
OXFORD SPEEDWAY HISTORY (Between Rangiora and Christchurch)
Oxford Speedway Inc started its life in 1979 as the Oxford Motor Club with the aim of running during the winter months when the likes of Woodford Glen were not racing. It was established on farm land owned by the Crawford family where it sits to this day.
The original opening date of the 9th February 1979 was postponed due to weather however despite the threat of another rain off, the Oxford Motor Club was officially opened by the Chairman of the Oxford City Council, Mr B Erikson on the 22nd July 1979. Highlights of the day included a helicopter display with a lolly scramble dropped from the helicopter.
Fourteen races were held during that first meeting including Ladies races, C Grade Saloons, Go Karts, Mini Stocks (although probably not the Ministocks that we know of today!), D Grade Saloons and Fender Benders. The price of admission to the track was $1.50 for adults and children under 15 free.
In 1995 the club closed for five months to allow for major alterations to be made. Along with the building of a new office building and control tower, the track was changed from a North/South direction to an East/West direction and from a length of 350m to 420m. On the 21st October 1995 the new track was opened in conjunction with the club’s North Canterbury Championships. A double decker bus was used to transport spectators to the track.
In 2000 a new control tower and office building was constructed which provided additional needed space in the office, on the referees stand and upstairs for the commentator and lap scorers.
Some of the interesting events held by Oxford Speedway over the years include a 4×4 Saloon Event featuring Warwick Leech & Colin Cameron Vs Mark Bradford and Peter Edmonds, Lawnmower Racing, a lolly scramble from a Tiger Moth plane, a race between a team from Oxford Speedway and Radio Avon, celebrity Mini Stock Races and Streetstock/Fender Bender Soccer. The club also regularly holds demolition derbys and 40 Lap Streetcar races. Santa also makes a regular appearance at the Fun Day in December for the kids.
Grades run by the club include A Grade Saloons, B Grade Saloons, C Grade Saloons, Hobby Saloons, Youth Hobbies, Streetstocks, Fender Benders, Ministocks, Youth Ministocks, Stockcars and Ladies Saloons. Grades run for club points and trophies for the highest points in each grade are presented in December at the clubs Fun Day meeting.
Regular yearly features held by Oxford Speedway include the Oxford Speedway South Island Champs at Easter, Oxford Speedway NZ Youth Ministock Champs in July and the North Canterbury Champs over Labour Weekend.
