Baypark Speedway: More Than Just Clay and Chaos
Where It All Begins — The Heart of the Bay
Tucked between the crashing waves of Mount Maunganui and the still waters of Tauranga Harbour sits one of Aotearoa’s most iconic motorsport venues — Baypark Speedway. This isn’t just a racetrack — it’s a living, breathing celebration of speed, community, and homegrown pride.
Set inside Mercury Baypark Stadium, the track is a big, fast, high-banked oval known for thrilling racing and even better vibes. The grandstand offers a view that stretches across the whole circuit — every turn, every slide, every inch of the action on full display. On race night, the air buzzes with energy, the smell of methanol and hot chips thick in the breeze, and the sounds of revving engines echoing into the Bay.
From October through April, Baypark roars to life — a battleground for Sprintcars, Super Saloons, Stockcars, Six Shooters, Midgets, Ministocks, and F2 Midgets. But it’s more than machinery and speed. It’s a meeting ground for whānau, for lifers and first-timers alike, where stories are shared, champions are created, and the clay tells it all.
The Roar of the Crowd — Baypark’s Loyal Fans
Speedway wouldn’t be what it is without the fans. They join the stands kids with driver flags in hand, all wearing their favorite drivers’ merchandise and parents explaining race strategies between bites of hot dogs, and diehards leaning over the next seat, eyes locked on turn three.
There’s something uniquely Kiwi about a speedway crowd. They love their racing. They know the drivers. And they celebrate every moment — from a perfectly executed slide job to a wild, wheels-up recovery. Their loyalty is unshakeable, and their energy is contagious.
On big nights — like the International Midget Series, the NZ Super Saloon Champs, or the Bay Super Bowl Fireworks event— the crowd turns the venue electric. They chant, cheer, and clap their way through heats and features, the commentators tell them to get their phone lights out bringing the sort of atmosphere you just can’t replicate.
But beyond the noise and the flags, it’s the community that makes it all matter. For many, Speedway is a family tradition passed down through many generations. For others, it’s a place of connection — where you see old mates, meet new ones, and watch the next generation of Kiwi racers cut their teeth.
Heroes in Overalls — The Drivers of Baypark
From grassroots battlers to international names, Baypark is home to an extraordinary mix of racers — from open-wheel daredevils to stockcar crashing wild riders, each with their own story, each chasing glory on the clay.
Tylar Browne — is just 22 years old and already carrying the nickname The Prince of Baypark. Tylar is as humble as he is determined. “I’m here to represent my team and take it one race at a time,” he says — though anyone watching knows he’s always hunting for a win. Roydon White is the guy who oozes style and passion and drives every race like it’s the big one of every season.
In the Sprintcar ranks, Keaton Dahm and Brody Mathieson are pushing limits. Keaton brings a calm focus to the chaos of Sprintcars, combining race craft with consistency. Brody, on the other hand, races with fire — his aggressive style and never-give-up attitude making him a fan favourite.
Veteran Ross “Horse” Ashby is the heart of Baypark’s Superstock scene. A legend in his own right, Ross still lines up each week, dishing out hits and passing on wisdom to the next generation. One of those rising stars is Elias Dykstra, whose fearless approach and growing confidence are turning heads.
Across every class — from the controlled chaos of Stockcars to the technical precision of Six Shooters and the thunder of Super Saloons — the drivers at Baypark all have one thing in common: they race with everything they’ve got.
Behind the Curtain — The Crew, the Officials, the Legends
Behind every race night is a crew of dedicated legends — the people who make Baypark tick, rain or shine. Volunteers like our amazing crash crew and tow drivers, even our very own Baypark Stig with his cartwheels every meeting has become the most popular person in the venue and that was overnight like a rockstar!
At the heart of Baypark Speedway’s operations is Melissa, the manager who orchestrates behind the scenes, ensuring smooth execution of every event. She coordinates all aspects of the show, engaging with sponsors, drivers, car owners, and fans alike. On race nights, Melissa works alongside Roger, the meticulous Clerk of the Course, who manages every detail from lap times to scheduling with seamless precision. Together, they form an indispensable duo just like Batman and Robin, ensuring each event runs flawlessly.
In addition, Macau, one of the venue’s commentators, oversees administrative tasks, manages social media channels, and collaborates on event planning. He welcomes every fan and diligently concludes operations long before and after any flag falls, dismantling what was built only mere hours before. The security team from Ageis who control the crowd and look after everyone’s safety, which in an event is hard enough
When it’s race time, the Bay Per View team of Tim, Steve, Colin, and Macau bring the energy to the microphone. Their commentary is more than information — it’s entertainment, insight, and excitement. Add in Steve Daniel from pit lane and Colin from the bunker, and they hype the crowd, tell the stories behind the cars, and keep the night humming along.
Out at the pit gate, Scotty keeps it flowing. Darrayl is the main man on the dummy grid, getting them in and out on time with no incidents in between — a friendly but firm presence who manages the comings and goings of every team in the pit. Dean is the starter up on the stand — the man who controls the chaos with a flick of the flag.
And then there’s Malcolm, Rodney Dawson and Karl and the track prep crew — unsung heroes who shape the racing surface with precision. It’s dirty, demanding work, and without it, the show doesn’t go on. From the lap scorers to the tow crews, the marshals to the ticket sellers,, and our hard-working reps that do more steps than anyone onsite and flights may we add with Bayparks reps being on the ground, but the officials are 3 floors up — every race night at Baypark is built by these legends. Volunteers that show up for the love and stay for camaraderie., You might not always see them, but you’d surely notice if they weren’t there
The Legacy and the Road Ahead
But as the chequered flag falls on the 2024/25 season, one thing is certain — Baypark is more than a speedway. It’s a hub of passion, grit, and community. It’s a place where kids become racers, volunteers become family, and fans become lifers.
This season brought new highs — from the inaugural Superstock Thunder Series to international showcases like the Midget World Series featuring superstars like Buddy Kofoid, Logan Seavey, Ethan Mitchell, Kaidon Brown, and Zoe Pearce. It also brought classic Kiwi grit — weather challenges, reschedules, and all. But through it all, the Baypark spirit held strong.
And the future? It’s burning bright. New drivers are waiting in the wings. More internationals are on the radar. And the crowd? They’re ready — as always — to roar back into life next season.
Because at Baypark, it’s not just about lap times and leaderboards. It’s about the stories. The people. The legacy.
Baypark Speedway — built on clay, fuelled by passion, and kept alive by you.