2
Historical Happenings
by Peggy Butterfield
Aranui Speedway
Christchurch Speedway, more commonly known as Aranui Speedway, has a
distinguished history, despite its short run of just 10 years.
Perhaps Aranui Speedway’s biggest legacy is that from the young motorbike
racers at this one venue came three World Speedway Champions. Ronnie Moore
who debuted at Aranui as a 15-year-old went on to win the World Championship
title twice and Barry Briggs to win the title four times. Ivan Mauger began his
competitive career at Aranui in 1955 and, by 1979, long after the Christchurch speedway had closed,
had won the world title six times, a yet as unbeaten record. In 2000, he was chosen, after polls between
34 speedway magazines around the world as the speedway "Man of the Millennium" the top speedway
rider of the 20th century. To have produced three world champions was an amazing record for one
speedway.
Aranui speedway was off Rowan Ave, roughly behind where
the St James School is now. This site was still in sand-hills and
broom and wild pine. Construction started in 1948. Earth moving
machines were used to create a cinder track and an embankment.
The track later earned the reputation among overseas
competitors for being one of the best in the world.
The Aranui Speedway was officially opened by Mayor E.H.
Andrews on 29 January 1949 before a crowd of more than 10,000
people. In the late 1940s and early 1950s, speedway was one of
Christchurch's biggest summer attractions and some residents
adjoining the area (now Rowan Avenue) complained of the
heavy traffic and noise on speedway nights. Public authorities
urged people with cars to use alternate routes so that Pages Road
could be left clear for trams and buses.
As well as holding races between North and South Island teams,
the Aranui Speedway hosted the New Zealand Championships
and overseas teams and racers. Other forms of racing were also
introduced - bikes with sidecars, midget racers, ultra-midget cars
(for children’s races). Stock cars proved a popular attraction between 1954-56 but eventually had to be
dropped because of the large expenses in maintaining the track and repairing the damage to trackside
fences.
A combination of rising costs, declining patronage and increasing pressure from new housing in the
Aranui area led to the closure of the Aranui Speedway in 1959.
Golden Oldie Movies for November at the New Brighton Museum 7th Onedin Line first series 7th episode
14th Has Anybody Seen My Gal 88 mins
21st Forty Thousand Horsemen. 92 mins
adventure
28th Gypsy 137 mins
1980 English Drama
1952 Rock Hudson Piper Laurie Musical
1941 Chips Rafferty World War 1 Australian, Action
1962 Natalie Wood Comedy, musical drama