THE POWER OF THE RiNG
Over the summers, and sometimes winters, from 1992 to 2014 I visited all the top tier historic speedway ovals in New Zealand’s North Island. There were also a number of visits to smaller but equally interesting venues. What would drive a man who was by no means a total speedway tragic to embark on such a mission? The mystique of heartland speedway is the answer! The allure of the oval has a certain ring to it (ahem) and an atmosphere unrivaled in other motorsports.
ALLURE OF HEARTLAND SPEEDWAY
The rural backdrops most of them are set against add a rustic charm to their locations, but they all have a distinct individuality. The common ingredient is of course a ¼ mile circle of mud bed ground. It is sacred turf, wherever it is.
The surroundings just add to the ambience of the racing arena. Venues such as Paradise Valley Speedway in Rotorua, with its high-tiered grass spectator banks, set in a lush
