There are few names in New Zealand speedway as respected and well-known as Graeme “Skinny” Colson. A national champion, drove both Saloons and Super Saloons, and a fierce competitor in Sprintcars, Skinny’s career has been built on intensity, determination, and a lifelong passion for the sport. These days, although he’s no longer behind the wheel, his work with rising Sprintcar stars Ayrton and Cruz Hodson proves he’s still a key figure in the scene.

We spoke with Skinny to get his no-nonsense take on the past, present, and future of Baypark Speedway — and what it all means to him personally.

Q1: You’ve had the rare privilege of racing at both the original Baypark Raceway and the current Baypark Speedway. What stands out most when you reflect on the differences between the two eras, on and off the track?

“Wow, big question. Two different eras for sure. The old Baypark just rocked. It had the two best promoters in the country at the time, Ian Heppinstal and Ross Decke – they ran a good show.

In this era, there was no social media. They had Colin Smith, who worked at the newspaper, which got massive coverage. They also had BK, Brian Kelly, who was the track announcer and was a DJ on local radio. So, all the advertising was used. Ian and Ross promoted the star drivers and looked after us to race there.

The whole team was a buzz with speedway, and it had massive sponsor support, both for the track and the racers. The crowd sat right on the edge of the track, and the atmosphere to burn. The afterparties rocked at the track and then at the Bayfair Tavern.

Sadly, when that place stopped, we lost a generation before the new track got going, which has lost crowd and the old atmosphere.

The new track surface suffered for years with dust and one-lane racing (not always) until Rodney Wood and his team got involved and gave us a most wicked track.

The new Baypark is now well run and has great officials and some good food vendors. The bar tried craft beer, which isn’t for the racers, and the prices are up there. A club-run organisation would be a sure welcome from the Council, taking a big cut. Still, the venue is wicked and should not be lost.”

Q2: With current discussions about the long-term future of speedway at Baypark uncertain, what does it mean to you, on a personal and historical level, to face the possibility that Tauranga could lose its speedway for good?

OMG. How can you just lose another speedway?

Even though I don’t race now, I’m involved with Sprintcars for the Hodson’s. There are too many people involved, and promoters who want the best at the expense of all the racers.

Just to lose it isn’t an option.”

Q3: In your opinion, what has Baypark meant to the wider speedway community over the years, not just as a track, but as a meeting ground for families, fans, and fierce competition?

“Sums up what it is and has been – speedway is just a big community.”

Q4: When you look back on your racing career, what kind of driver were you, and how do you think Baypark, both old and new, shaped you into that person behind the wheel?

“Intense. Determined. Sometimes angry, always wanting to win.

Second, just wasn’t good enough.

I was already shaped into a driver from all the years at Stratford racing the best, and the old Baypark was two drag strips with two tight corners.

What it taught me was that I need big brakes, air vents on them to keep them cool, so the HQ stuff was replaced with Willwood.

Maurice Cowling, Geoff Fletcher, and Dean Waddell provided the best competition.

This carried over to the new Baypark. I will never forget the opening meeting – a two-night show in front of a packed house with the best of the best Super Saloons, where I was given a provisional grid 24 and won that feature.”

Q5: What message would you share with Tauranga’s decision-makers, fans, and young racers about why speedway matters, not just as a sport, but as a part of our region’s identity?

“Tauranga Council is not in the real world.

There are a bunch of people who all they do is waste money on their buildings (which aren’t big enough) and their coffee and lattes.

They need to leave Speedway alone in its corner, separate from all the other things there, and let Bill Buckley look after it.

As long as the rates are paid, so be it!”

Graeme “Skinny” Colson has spoken. And if you know this sport, you know he doesn’t say things lightly.

He’s seen the glory days. He’s raced against legends. He’s won at both versions of Baypark. And now, he’s calling it as he sees it — a Speedway icon fighting for a track that means everything to him, and the next generation.