As the dust starts to settle on another unforgettable season at Baypark Speedway, it’s time to reflect on the highs, the heartbreaks, and the history-making performances that defined an action-packed year of speedway racing. From the electric atmosphere of opening night to the dramatic championship events, Baypark once again delivered world-class competition across multiple divisions, showcasing the best of both local and international talent.
Early Season Shake-Ups Set the Stage
The season began with bold moves in the driver lineup as racers switched classes and teams, seeking new opportunities to chase championship glory. These early shake-ups added an extra layer of excitement to the opening rounds, as new rivalries emerged, and established stars adapted to fresh challenges. Fans quickly saw the effects of these changes, with impressive performances across Sprintcars, Midgets, Six Shooters, and Stockcars.
Among the standout performers early on was Daniel Thomas, who wasted no time making a statement with a spectacular drive in the opening rounds. Thomas continued his fast-start trend, further solidifying his reputation as a force to be reckoned with. Meanwhile, Brad Mosen delivered a redemption drive to remember, bouncing back from a tough start to claim a well-earned victory in the first running of the Bill Buckley Midget Car Classic.
V8 horsepower roared through the stadium for the Superstock Thunder Series delivering full-contact racing that thrilled spectators and tested drivers’ skills to the limit. The visceral excitement of these races was captured in vivid detail, reflecting the raw power and adrenaline that define speedway competition at Baypark.
International Stars Shine in the Baypark International Series
One of the most highly anticipated aspects of the season was the Midget World Series, which saw top American and Australian drivers go head-to-head with New Zealand’s finest. The international competitors brought a new level of intensity to the track, their aggressive driving styles pushing the local drivers to their limits.
The Midget Superstar 30-Lapper was another marquee event that brought an elite field of competitors to Baypark. With a mix of seasoned veterans and young guns, the race proved to be a test of endurance, skill, and strategy.
Drivers had to manage their tires and equipment over the extended race distance while still maintaining blistering speed. The field was stacked with top names, including Buddy Kofoid, Logan Seavey, Ethan Mitchell and Kaidon Browne, plus our New Zealand stars Brad Mosen, Michael Pickens, Brock Maskovich, and our very own local lad from Tauranga Luke McClymont, all vying for victory in one of the most prestigious Midget races of the season.
The 30-lap showdown did not disappoint, delivering intense battles throughout the field. Slide jobs, wheel-to-wheel duels, and daring passes kept the crowd on edge. In the end, the experience proved crucial as Buddy Kofoid executed the perfect race to claim victory and add their name to the history books of the event by being the first winner to go back-to-back.
SPRINTCAR & SUPERSTARS
The Sprintcar action hit another level with the addition of Kiwi motorsport superstar Shane van Gisbergen (SVG), lining up with the powerhouse United Truck Parts team.
Fans packed SVG’s pit area for the entire meeting, eager to catch a glimpse – especially after he took a wild ride into turn 1 that had the whole stadium hold its breath! But true to form, the team got him back on track for the next meeting where he stormed home to his first heat win at Baypark.
Bay51: A New Chapter in Baypark Speedway
A major event again for the season was the Midget World Series Bay51, a race that promised the best of both traditional and modern speedway, combining high-octane racing with an entertainment-packed format designed to thrill fans of all ages.
The night itself was a mix of Sprintcars, Midgets, and Superstock for the 2nd running of the Hokey Ashby Memorial, The Bay51 event was designed to showcase the sport in an exhilarating, all-action format. The event saw some of the closest racing of the season, with drivers pushing their cars to the absolute limit in pursuit of victory.
The Bay51 not only provided spectacular racing with Kofoid and Pickens going head to head in a true USA vs NZ battle to start but the International stars would sweep all 3 podium spots and Kofoid a clean sweep of both events at Baypark this season, The event aimed to elevate the fan experience, incorporating enhanced presentation and showmanship to bring speedway into the spotlight like never before.
Championship Nights and Season Highlights
As the season progressed, the stakes grew higher, leading to some unforgettable moments on Baypark’s clay oval. The Bay Piston Cup attracted a star-studded lineup, with some of the biggest names in Sprintcar racing battling for supremacy. In the end, Daniel Thomas finally secured the win that slipped out of his hands in the dying stages last year.
History was made during the New Zealand Super-Saloon Championship, where the country’s best Super-Saloon drivers clashed in an all-out war for victory over two nights in mid-February. The intensity of the competition was unmatched, with drivers leaving nothing on the table in pursuit of championship glory.
For the first time in 7 years, the 1NZ left Baypark and headed south with Mark Osbourne, However 2 of our drivers completed the podium with Chris Cowling and Scott Hayward
The event was the most talked about on social media for weeks and put Baypark back on the map after less successful championships being run in the past seemed to hang around like a dark cloud for the new promotion team.
The North Island Sprintcar Championship would boost the most amount of entries from all four SNZ Sprintcar titles, Among the visiting stars was Joel Myers Jr., the young American sensation who made his Baypark debut in preparation for his NZ Sprintcar title defence. His natural speed and racecraft were evident as he quickly adapted to the fast and technical Baypark circuit, proving why he is considered one of the rising stars of the sport.
The season’s final stretch delivered some of the most dramatic racing seen all year. American teenager Joel Myers Jnr set the fastest lap of the season, proving the depth of talent and underlining the high level of competition at Baypark.
The ultimate showdown, Clay Speed and Glory brought a Sprintcar spectacle that saw drivers giving everything in one last push for victory.
Bayhem lived up to its name
The Bay Mayhem meeting delivered exactly what it promised – absolute carnage and chaos from the drop of the first green flag right through to the final race of the night.
Unfortunately, the intensity came at a cost, with several drivers taken to hospital with neck and back injuries – some from massive hits on track, and others unexpectedly without a major crash. Our thoughts are with those recovering.
On the flip side, for the spectators, it was a night of non-stop action and jaw-dropping moments – a true spectacle that lived up to the hype of Bayhem at Baypark Speedway!
A Season to Remember
Looking back, the 2024-25 season at Baypark Speedway was a rollercoaster of emotions, filled with unforgettable moments and standout performances. From local heroes to international superstars, from thrilling duels to history-making events, this season showcased the very best of speedway racing. Todd Hemingway managed to snatch the New Zealand Superstock Championship and bring it home to Baypark something that has taken over 50 years to happen.
In a few weeks, the engines will fall silent and teams will prepare for the next chapter, one thing is certain—Baypark Speedway continues to be a cornerstone of New Zealand motorsport, delivering world-class racing and memories that will last a lifetime.
The Baypark Speedway Finale will be on April 19th and will see the famous Summer Demo Derbay end the 2024-25 season.
Photos: Blissful Photography & The Write Angle