In the world of motorsports, few experiences can match the adrenaline rush of
sprinting around a dirt track at breakneck speeds. Today, we sit down with Roydon White a
speedway racer with a passion for the sport that’s second to none.
In this exclusive interview, we delve deep into Roydon’s racing journey, triumphs, and what it takes
to be competitive.
Age: 31 Birthplace: Tauranga Living: Tauranga
Years Racing: 2 years in speedway but raced motocross for 27 years
Home Track: Baypark Speedway
Best Feature finish: 4th Classes Raced: Just Six Shooters (hopefully can add a sprint car to the list one day!)
Sponsors: RE Burger, Gaskin Plumbing, Extract Visuals, ACE Drywall, Central Foundations,
Premier Roofing, Action Equipment, Coleman Performance Engines, Flying W Suspension,
SDM, Deadly Sin Coffee, Vertex Oils, Arepa
Q1: Every great journey begins with a single step when did you start racing and how did
you get into it?
Raced motocross at a high level from age 4 to 29 and after to many injuries
and being burnt out I decided to jump into speedway as that was always a big interest of
mine growing up and the time was just right to make the switch.
Q2: What classes have you run over the years?
Only Six Shooters but I would love to add others to the list if I got the chance.
Q3: In the world of racing, success comes in many forms. What are you most proud of in
your racing career?
I don’t have many results in speedway yet but 3rd at Meannee last year was cool and 4th in BOP champs.
Q4: What titles have you received while racing?
Once again, none in speedway but won a few NZ titles in motocross and won an invitational event in China also. Our team also picked up Best presented team and car at last seasons Baypark BOPSA Speedway awards which was great for ourselves and our sponsors.
Q5: What is your all-time favourite track to race at and why?
Baypark cause it’s huge and allows easier passing and faster speeds but also palmy for there amazing surface.
Q6: Racing isn’t just a seasonal endeavour; it’s a year-round commitment. What are you
currently doing in the off-season and how do you prepare mentally and physically for this
sport?
We’ll this year I have decided to get back into some fitness training so have been
running so I can try last a feature without blowing out hahahaha
Q7: What do you hope to achieve this season?
Not to many wrecks, some good weather, good results and lots of good memories made with my family and friends.
Q8: Success in racing isn’t just about speed; it’s about character what characteristics do
you think are important to becoming successful in racing?
I think being calm is honestly the biggest thing. Choosing your passes etc and being patient.
Q9: Race cars are constantly evolving. What is happening with your car in the off-season?
Any major changes we should look out for once the season starts? This season for me it’s
mainly just appearance, new graphics, new shapes custom panels and a good look over
Q10: Speedway racing can be fast and dangerous. What do you think is one thing the fans
will never understand until they are behind the wheel of a race car?
How close the racing really is when your in the car and how much gnarly it feels when your in the car,
strapped in and can’t see much etc.
Q11: What is your favourite race on the NZ race calendar?
In regards to watching, it would be NZ Sprint Car champs or Palmy teams but for racing this year I am most excited for our first race night at BP or going back to Palmy again.
Q12: Legends inspire legends. Who do you admire most in motorsport and why?
For me it would be Sheldon Haudenschild, I love his racing style ripping the high line and also the
fact is rides motocross is rad too!
Q13: What do you think of the changes and the way direction the speedway is moving at
Baypark?
I think it’s massive! The fan zone, merch hut, good promoters and commentators, track prep… everything going on is a huge step in the right direction and it allows us as drivers to grow as a brand and promote ourselves and our partners well to keep us coming back year after year!
Q14: Sponsors are the unsung heroes of racing. Tell us about your sponsors, what kind of
business they run, and the support you get from them.
My 2 biggest ones are back on again this season and that’s RE Burger and Gaskin Plumbing.
RE Burger is a burger shop in Greeton and also opening in the Mount. Not only are they a big help but a very cool partner to have, they even let me make my own burger for the menu.
Gaskin Plumbing is a close mate who runs a successful plumbing company in Taupo and is coming into his 5 year supporting me and I can’t explain how grateful I am for that!
Flying W Race suspension, SDM, Central Foundations and Premier Roofing are all returning partners this year and we have welcomed Action Equipment on board also.
I appreciate them so much and I couldn’t race without them! Legends I tell ya! Please support them where you can!