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THEY MAKE THE SHOW…
A quick reference guide to what you can be watching at any given night at Waikaraka Park.
| SUPER STOCKS |
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The Horsepower Class of the big hitters of the Stockcar business and the solid front and rear bumpers, plus solid side-rails are a giveaway that these cars are built for contact racing. The steel work is all part of a tubular constructed chassis which houses an engine of up to 241.6 cubic inches capacity, often a variety of hybrid mechanical equipment, and invariably a range of imported race equipment to produce a car with a maximum weight of 1500kg. With engines producing up to 400+ horsepower, capable of speeds up to 150kph, these are extremely hi-tech dodgem cars and when they make contact, despite an extremely high standard of safety required, they are not for the faint at heart. The racing rules prohibit dangerous driving, such as using the grass to attack an opponent or hitting a stationary car, but contact is permitted and makes stockcars the most popular form of motorsport in New Zealand. | |
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| STOCKCARS |
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Essentially the same as SuperStocks, Stockcars are a reflection of the bygone days where contact is more common, largely due to the regulated costs and restrictions on certain equipment. Specific race tyres are not permitted, engines are restricted to standard fittings and most hi-tech parts are either illegal or of no benefit. The resulting class of stockcars, which weigh the same, circle the track slower but are more enjoyable for the competitors and are an excellent grounding for aspiring SuperStock champions. | |
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| SUPER SALOONS |
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A strictly non-contact form of speedway racing in cars many would wish to own for street use, the outer shell of these powerful full-bodied racers is all that resembles the road going version. Unlimited in engine size, these Pontiacs, Corvettes, Mustangs and Sierras must comply with production model cars available throughout the world and must retain the appearance of the model specified. Although beneath the flashy fibreglass skin there is a full cage and a mass of technical magic the super saloon remains basically a progression of the saloons and sport coupes we see daily. Many of these methanol fuelled cars are producing 800-horsepower and yet only weigh around 1000kg ready to race. Rear tyres can be up to 18-inches wide and 104-inches in circumference, but the trick to this type of racing is to keep them on the dirt and putting the power onto the ground. | |
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| SALOONS |
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Another flashback in time, the limited’s are a regulated form of saloon, allowing the “apprentice” super saloon champion to taste the track action, alternatively, to allow a racer on the track at a more affordable level without being too far away from the super saloon class. Engines are limited to 360-cubic inches, a maximum carburettor size is policed and tires are also restricted. Additional rules are designed to keep a car below the value of $15,000 and horsepower ratings are generally around 400 at best, so driver skills are often a deciding factor when a group of cars is approaching the final flag. | |
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| MODIFIEDS |
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Considered by many to be the glamour class of Waikaraka Park, these lightweight beasts set beneath large aerofoils are a light tubular framed car powered by 600+ horsepower engines up to 410-inches in cubic capacity. A quick glimpse will reveal the driver has very little room to work between two huge rear tyres and the cars often give the impression they are trying to break free like a bucking bronco. The cars are incredibly light and frail, and while contact is strictly prohibited, the inevitable does sometimes occur with dire consequences. It is the need to control these rampart beast that has created the warrior image modified drivers have, but watch also the smooth way in which many of these drivers put their wheels through traffic. | |
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| SIDECARS |
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History of Dirt Cup Placings (click to view)
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Three wheels might be better than two, but brakes would be nice! These trikes, which inspire as much fear as they do excitement, have no brakes, and the control of these 1100cc 250-horsepower bikes is dependent on the working relationship between rider and passenger. The frames are specially built and little of an original road-going motorcycle is used in the final equation. The passenger (or swinger) must apply weight in the right places on the bike to ensure the best possible level of ‘drive’ can be gained, but he or she must also use their body weight to help propel the outfit in or out of the turns. A tumble, or two, they say is all part of the learning curve in this game, but the exceptional skills and fitness now demanded of this sport, thankfully, keeps injuries to a minimum. | |
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| STREETSTOCKS |
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The streetstock division is the fun class for introduction to speedway. It is nevertheless a seriously competitive domain in which to compete and while they may not look to be heavily regulated, or bound by a great many rules, the streetstocks are a typical example of how not to judge a book by its cover. A basic road car strategically reinforced can put a driver on the track for less than $2000 and the fact that the cars race in either rotation around the track means fancy set-ups make way for driver ability and more than a sprinkling of daring. | |
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| MINISPRINTS |
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Based on a midget chassis with a small capacity motor and big wing, Minisprints provided some amazing action with record lap times around the fast Waikaraka Park Track. The Specifications of this fast growing open wheel class are quiet easy to follow 1340cc maximum engine sizes with most racing Nissans A12/E13,Ford Escort 1300, Mitsubishi 1300, or 4k Toyota. All engines must have original crank and stroke and may run on methanol fuel. Midget sized chassis with midget running gear and weighing a minimum 420kg. Don’t blink you will miss these guys fly!
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| MINISTOCKS |
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Ministocks are regarded as an ideal stepping stone into the speedway world, with classic stockcar looks in a compact vehicle that is cheap to build and maintain. Minimal contact is permitted, and the cars are constructed from either a 1200cc Datsun or Toyota “donor car”. Many of the vehicles are shared between family and friends, because children aged from 12-16 can strap themselves into them, and consistently provides the biggest fields at Waikaraka Park. | |
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| SOLOS |
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Complete with their very own inner track at Waikaraka Park the ‘Bullring’ is home to some fantastic Speedway Riders. The close action of the bikes provides welcome variation to the car-based classes, and the riders seldom disappoint. The short, four lap races produce stunning action, and local competitors usually have the better of any visitors who dare enter the Bullring. | |
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