Ruapuna Speedway is a 1/4 mile dirt track located in Christchurch adjacent to Euromarque Motorsport Park. Currently known as CMG Motors Ruapuna Speedway for sponsorship reasons, and Formerly known as Templeton Speedway, Ruapuna is New Zealand's only purely open wheel speedway. Despite having a large history with motorcycle classes over past years, the track shifted towards a purely open wheel speedway focus. Motorcycles now sit permanently at Moore Park Speedway. Ruapuna has hosted many prestigious events including New Zealand Championships, the Sprintcar & Midget Gold Cups, and the BT Race 4 Mates. The track has pulled in many international competitors to race at the track across multiple classes and is a well known facility within New Zealand and Internationally.
History In 1959, the Aranui Speedway-based near the centre of Christchurch's ever growing CBD was forced to close and was subsequently torn down to make way for housing developments. To ensure the future of speedway continued in Christchurch, the Christchurch Speedway Association was formed and construction began on a new track at the Templeton Domain. The new Templeton Speedway opened on April 29th, 1962, with a daytime race meeting. The track faced issues with the foundation and racing did not return until the mid portion of February 1963. Templeton hosted its first night time meeting at its return. The 1980s beckoned a new era for the now renamed Ruapuna Speedway taking on many important New Zealand championships, including four New Zealand Sprintcar and Solo Championships. Ruapuna has continued to grow in fields and crowd numbers with new promotions ideas like Carnival Fireworks Night and Speedweek adding to the tally. Ruapuna Speedway hosted the 2022/23 New Zealand Sprintcar Championship and held a sold-out crowd.
Events
Sprintcar Gold Cup
Beginning in the 2001/02 New Zealand Speedway Season, the Sprintcar Gold Cup began as a prestigious event for all Sprintcar drivers around New Zealand and the world to tick off their bucket list. The event has drawn many large names from across New Zealand, Australia and the United States, including former winners Buddy Kofoid, Allan Wakeling, Trevor Green, Jamie Larsen, Jonathan Allard, and Joel Myers Jr.
The 2024 edition of the event paid out $20,000 to win as a part of the inaugural Ruapuna Speedway Speedweek, tallying up 20% of the $100,000 prize pool. $60,000 was paid out during the combined Gold Cup / Salute to Goodie feature with the winner taking $20,000 and the remaining $40,000 being split between the rest of the field. The $20,000 sum is one of the largest amounts ever paid out to a winner of a New Zealand Speedway event, while the $60,000 overall prize pool was the largest amount offered by a club run Sprintcar event in New Zealand.
Sprintcar Gold Cup Champions Season Winner Race No. Second Place Third Place2025-26 Joel Myers Jr2NZ Jonathan Allard Jock Goodyer2024-25 Joel Myers Jr3NZ Jamie Duff Matthew Leversedge2023-24 Joel Myers Jr1NZ Jonathan Allard Michael Pickens2022-23 Stephen Taylor9N Connor Rangi Jamie Duff2021-22 Jonathan Allard11USA Jamie Larsen Jamie Duff2020-21 Jonathan Allard2NZ Matthew Leversedge Stephen Taylor2019-20 Buddy Kofoid1NZ Jamie Duff Matt Honeywell2018-19 Buddy Kofoid8USA Jamie Larsen Rodney Wood2017-18 Jamie McDonald71A Jamie Larsen Matt Honeywell2016-17 Jonathan Allard2NZ Dean Brindle Daniel Eggleton2015-16 Jamie Larsen3NZ Jamie McDonald Jamie Duff2014-15 Jamie McDonald3NZ Dean Brindle Jamie Duff2013-14 Jamie Larsen82M Jamie McDonald Dean Brindle2012-13 Jamie Duff19A Jamie McDonald Ray Baughan2011-12 Jamie Duff19A Allan Woods Matt Honeywell2010-11 Colin Entwistle68M Ian Easton Jamie McDonald2009-10 Allan Wakeling27A Ricky Logan Jamie McDonald2008-09 Bill Rose5USA Allan Wakeling Kevin Freeman2007-08 Ricky Logan10USA Dean Brindle Steve Buckwalter2005-06 Trevor Green Garry Brazier Greg Clemence2004-05 Colin Entwistle 68M Kevin Clive Gerard Ness2003-04 Allan Wakeling27A Tommy Rusher Phil Game2002-03 Phil Game77A Allan Wakeling Gerard Ness2001-02 PJ Chesson1USA Bud Kaeding Allan Wakeling
Midget Gold Cup
As Midget car racing grew at Ruapuna in the late 2010s and early 2020s, a new initiative to form a similar event to the Sprintcar Gold Cup, but for Midgets became apparent. The event on its inaugural run drew many North Island cars who travelled down for the event. While the event is yet to score an international competitor, it remains one of the most hotly contested events on the New Zealand Midget car calendar.
Midget Gold Cup Champions Season Winner Race No. Second Place Third Place2025-26 Alec Insley71A Brad Mosen Mitch Fabish2024-25 Jeremy Webb88C Regan Tyler Luke McClymont2023-24 Alec Insley71A Jack Low Jeremy Webb
New Zealand Championships
Ruapuna Speedway, like all Speedway New Zealand officiated tracks around the country, are placed into a rotation for specific New Zealand Championships. Ruapuna has played host to many New Zealand Championships as well as multiple New Zealand Grand Prix's and South Island Championships all for varying classes. Ruapuna's first New Zealand Title was in 1964 and most recent in 2025.
New Zealand Sprintcar Championships Held Season Winner2022/23 Daniel Thomas2016/17 Jamie Larsen2011/12 Sammy Swindell2005/06 Kerry Jones2003/04 Allan Wakeling2001/02 Allan Wakeling1999/00 Allan Wakeling1997/98 Allan Wakeling1995/96 Kerry Jones1992/93 Kerry Jones1985/86 Ronald Hobbs 1983/84 Roger Gleeson 1981/82 Selwyn Everett 1979/80 Roger Bertram 1976/77 Harry Pierson 1974/75 Peter Annan 1973/74 Peter Annan 1970/71 Peter Annan
New Zealand Midget Championships Held Season Winner2023/24 Brad Mosen2019/20 Michael Pickens2014/15 Brad Mosen2012/13 Michael Pickens2006/07 Michael Pickens2001/02 Michael Kendall1994/95 Matt Thompson1989/90 Graham Standring1981/82 Owen Shaw1977/78 Ted Tracey1972/73 Barry Butterworth1970/71 Eddie James1969/70 Eddie James1967/68 Edwin Murray
New Zealand TQ Championships Held Season Winner2024/25 Jeremy Webb2018/19 Jeremy Webb2013/14 Duane Todd2009/10 Glen Durie2002/03 Stephen Harker1991/92 Dick Webb1983/84 Stephen Todd1980/81 Wayne Denovan1975/76 Paul Sutherland1968/69 Brian Prestidge1965/66 Clive Rhodes
New Zealand Solo Championships Held Season Winner2006/07 Andrew Bargh2002/03 Sam Taylor2000/01 Graham Hartshorn1998/99 Mark Jamieson1995/96 Mark Thorpe1992/93 Mark Thorpe1989/90 Larry Ross1987/88 Larry Ross1984/85 Larry Ross1982/83 Mitch Shirra1978/79 Larry Ross1973/74 Ivan Mauger1971/72 Bruce Cribb1970/71 Frank Shuter1967/68 Ronnie Moore1966/67 Howard Cole1964/65 Murray Burt
New Zealand Sidecar Championships Held Season Winner2013/14 Paul Humphrey / Ben Franklin2005/06 Nick Edmonds / Paul James1995/96 John Hannon / Jason Wallis1987/88 Robert Vandenberg / Ken Dommett1979/80 Bruce Turner / Bruce Heglin1976/77 Graham Pullan / David Molyneau1974/75 Les Dwight Jr / Steve Unwin1973/74 Les Dwight Sr / Graham Pullan1971/72 Les Dwight Jr / Gavin Cox1969/70 Dave Tomkins / Lloyd Tomkins
New Zealand Minisprint Championships Held Season Winner2004/05 Dave Kerr2001/02 Shaun Cooke1998/99 Kevin Jamieson1994/95 Richard Battersby
Other Events
Ruapuna Speedway is a key host to the Hydraulink War of the Wings Sprintcar series, hosting upwards of two rounds per year. Additionally, for all but one year of its tenure, Ruapuna has played host to the BT Race 4 Mates. The 'BT' is a series of heat races and a feature race for Midgets and TQs dedicated to Bryce Townsend. Multiple North Island competitors come down for this event with over 25 cars registered for the 2026 edition. Another staple on the calendar is Carnival Fireworks Night, a November/December regular on the calendar holding racing, carnival rides and fireworks at the end of the night.
Ruapuna also hosted a $100,000 Speedweek, where multiple large events took place over 4 days of racing within the span of 8 days. The New Zealand Sprintcar Grand Prix headlined the first two days, while The Sprintcar & Midget Gold Cups headlined the final two days. The Midget Eliminator, Wingless Sprint Rumble, Salute to Goodie and BT Race 4 Mates were all supporting the inaugural event as major races. The second event hosted both Gold Cups, the Salute to Goodie, Midget Eliminator and Wingless Sprint Rumble as usual, joined by the TQ 20 Lapper and Lightning Sprint Clay Cup. This event took place during the 2023/24 and 2024/25 seasons before it was split up into two separate events for the 2025/26 season. Speedweek is expected to return for the 2026/27 season featuring the Sprintcar & Midget Gold Cups, Wingless Sprint Rumble, BT Race 4 Mates, Midget Eliminator and both the South Island Midget and Sprintcar titles.
Promotions
Ruapuna Speedway is well known for their increased promotions presence in recent years. Recent events like Carnival Fireworks Night, $100,000 Speedweek, Last Man Standing Sprintcar Race and the King of the South Midget Eliminator have all been highly successful promotional ideas from the track. The track runs a bi-weekly TV Show labelled 'Methanol Madness', currently hosted by Louise Smith and AJ Batt, reviewing and previewing the racing at Ruapuna each week. Hero cards are available every race meeting for fans to collect and get autographs from drivers.
Visiting Drivers
Ruapuna Speedway has played host to many visiting drivers and riders from other parts of New Zealand, Australia, the United States and the United Kingdom. Many overseas drivers have taken on the Ruapuna events early into their career, before moving up the ranks in their home country. Notable drivers / riders that have raced at Ruapuna Speedway include:
Joel Myers Jr Marcus Dumesny Jonathan Allard Tanner Holmes Kaleb Montgomery Brenham Crouch Buddy Kofoid Sammy Swindell AJ Foyt Michael Pickens Zach Daum Zeb Wise Jock Goodyer Spencer Bayston
Track Records As of April 2026, the current track records at Ruapuna Speedway are as follows: CategoryTimeNumberDriverDateOval (1962-Present): 0.40 kmSprintcars0:12.6300USA Jonathan AllardApril 22nd, 2022Lightning Sprints0:13.8548C Liam AstleApril 6th, 2024Midgets0:14.1472NZ Brad MosenFebruary 3rd, 2024TQ Midgets0:15.18667A Kaleb CurrieJanuary 21st, 2021Wingless Sprints0:15.8465M Luke McClymontApril 22nd, 2022
Track Awards Speedway New Zealand Year Category Nominated work Result 2026 Best Media Support Methanol Madness 2026 Promotional Event of the Year Ruapuna Speedway USA Invasion 2026 Volunteer Speedway of the Year Ruapuna Speedway 2026 Community Initiative of the Year Ruapuna Speedway "A Night On Us" 2025 Volunteer Speedway of the Year Ruapuna Speedway 2025 Promotional Event of the Year Ruapuna Speedway Speedweek 2025 Best Media Support Methanol Madness 2025 Promotional Item of the Year Temporary Tattoos 2025 Community Initiative of the Year Ruapuna Crowd Engagement 2024 Volunteer Speedway of the Year Ruapuna Speedway 2024 Online Presence of the Year Ruapuna Speedway 2023 Event of the Year New Zealand Sprintcar Championship 2021 Promotional Event of the Year Carnival Fireworks Night 2015 Speedway T-shirt of the Year Sprintcar 40th Anniversary T-shirt 2015 Promotional Item of the Year Collectors (Hero) Cards 2014 Speedway Poster of the Year NZ TQ Championship Poster 2014 Promotional Item of the Year Mail Drop Cards 2014 Speedway T-shirt of the Year NZ Sidecar Championship T-shirt 2010 Best Presented Club Speedway Facility Ruapuna Speedway 2010 Best Website Ruapuna Speedway
References