Speedway association guided by capable administrators

Press, Volume CIX, Issue 31993, 21 May 1969, Page 13

Speedway association guided by capable administrators

TITORE than 65,000 spectators passed through the turn-styles at the Templeton Speedway Stadium last season, a total which must be the envy of many major New Zealand sports. But this healthy state of affairs could never have been realised if it had not been for the foresight and enthusiasm of the administrators who have guided the Christchurch Speedway Association through many difficult years. These men started with an area of 103 acres of stony waste land, leased from the Templeton Domain Board, and very little money. The present stadium, although still far from finished, is already valued at more than $32,000 and is tanglible evidence of the time and effort they put into reviving speedway racing, which seemed headed for extinction in Canterbury when the old Aranui track closed down in 1959.

The first president of the association, formed in 1959, was Mr R. O. Lang. Under his guidance the young organisation set about finding suitable land to begin building a track. An area at Harewood was inspected but this was rejected as a possible site when it was discovered the magnetos of racing machines might affect the radar and radio at the airport. The present site at Templeton was finally settled on, an embankment built and the track pegged out

At this stage Mr Lang found he was unable to continue and the vital role of president was taken over by Mr J. Morris, who was to play an important part in the formative years in the early 19605. After two years of leadership, Mr Morris stood down and Mr K. Harris was elected the new president. However, after a few months Mr Harris withdrew and Mr Morris once

more took over the leadership of the association. Rapid progress was made and in February, 1963, the first floodlit meeting was held. It was an immediate success. For Mr Morris it was a great triumph. The association was far from debt free but the stadium was open and for many it was a dream come true.

However, the years ahead were to be difficult ones. Substantial outstanding accounts had to be repaid, money had to be found for essential improvements and amenities, and to make matter worse the Government decided to abolish domains boards.

The association’s lease was taken over by the Paparua County Council and it immediately demanded 5 per cent of the gross gate takings. This was a tremendous blow to Mr Morris and his helpers, already financially stretched to the limit. But they had no intention of letting their hard work go for nothing. They boosted their finances with car scrambles in the car park and ran many raffles. About this time the as-

sociation generously allowed the Canterbury Car Club to take over part of the lease to build the Ruapuna Park raceway. This left it with only 19 acres but the vision of a gigantic motor sport area held by the association’s early administrators was beginning to become a reality. Mr Morris held office for almost five years. Several times he announced his intention to retire but each time he was pursuaded to continue. Finally, the demands of his used car business became too great and he withdrew from the administration at the start of 1965.

The situation did not look bright. Without a strong leader the association would obviously deteriorate. Fortunately, Mr Lang agreed to step back into the breach after being approached by a group of administrators. This time he had a fully equipped stadium to run but the problems were as great as ever.

The association had assets worth many thousands of dollars but it was in debt to the tune of $4700, mainly

for the lights and the fence on the embankment New toilet facilities were provided and the cinder track replaced by a new crusher dust surface at a cost of $BOOO. This provided new financial hurdles for the Lang administration but it was more than equal to the task.

In the season recently completed the association wiped the slate clean. It can now at last look forward to a future devoid of financial crisis. Its only outstanding debt is one of gratitude to the men who made it possible—men who are in many cases still taking an active part'in the organisation.

Messrs Lang and Morris provided the leadership which was so vital if the association was to succeed but they could never have achieved so much without the help of a large band of willing workers. Messrs W. Philp, E. Mora and Mrs Lang have held the position of secretary and have contributed much to the present satisfactory situation. Many others, to numerous to mention, have also sacrificed much to provide the sport with a solid foundation.