The grandstands might be empty, but the heartbeat of Baypark Speedway hasn’t slowed for a second. In workshops, garages, and race sheds across the Bay and beyond, the sound of impact guns, grinders, and revving engines fills the air. This is the off-season — a time long before the first green flag drops, and when every team is chasing that perfect setup for opening night.

This winter has already brought a major victory for Baypark: with the extension of the lease keeping Speedway in the Mount at least until 2039 and the official release of the 2025/2026 season calendar.

For fans, it’s the cue to lock in weekends and start the countdown. For drivers, it’s the signal to push preparation into overdrive. The calendar has something for everyone — from the adrenaline-charged Back to the Bay! on 25 October, to the explosive Bill Buckley Midget Car Classic and Bay Fireworks on 8 November. December will feature the horsepower feast of the Bay Super Bowl and the prestige of Bay Superstars, the 51, and the Hokey Ashby, while January takes the spotlight with the NZ Midget Car Championship double-header on the 16th and 17th. February and March bring more headline nights, including the Bay Piston Cup (21 Feb) and the all-out chaos of the Bay Rumble (21 Mar), before the season ends spectacularly with Demo Der-Bay on 4 April.

Behind the scenes, drivers and crews are flat-out. Cars are stripped down to bare chassis, every bolt checked, every component inspected. Engines are rebuilt, suspension tuned, and bodywork refreshed. Some teams are adding new performance parts in the hunt for more speed, while others are fine-tuning last year’s setups for maximum consistency. Fresh paint jobs and updated liveries are emerging from workshops, sponsor decals perfectly placed to shine under the lights, and Baypark already has a huge of number request from drivers planning to run the mighty M this season.

At the speedway offices, planning is just as intense. Event formats are being fine-tuned, promotional campaigns are being lined up, and the return of the Bay Per View livestream, ensuring that fans can catch all the action live, no matter where they are in New Zealand or around the world. Announcements about packages and features are coming soon, but one thing’s certain — every heat, every slide job, and every photo finish will be there to watch for selected events this season.

From the outside, the off-season might seem like a quiet spell, but in reality, it’s the launchpad for what promises to be one of Baypark Speedway’s biggest and most exciting seasons yet. With the calendar now public and the first event just weeks away, anticipation is building fast.

Come 18 October, when registered cars hit the clay for our first practice night, the silence will break.

Then, on the 25th of October, which happens to be an extended weekend, engines will roar, the crowd will come alive, and the 2025/2026 season will burst into life, delivering another summer of speed, skill, and the one-of-a-kind atmosphere that only Baypark Speedway can create.

Cover photo supplied by The Write Angle.