Name: Macau Johnson
Official Position: Commentator and Marketing and Promotions Manager
Years working in Speedway: 8 Years
Home track: Baypark Speedway
How did you get into Speedway?
Speedway was a family activity growing up in Auckland, Saturday days were for Rugby League and Saturday nights was for Speedway at Western Springs.
When I was 14 I got to join the crew for the Infamous Eddie (Sambo) Patrick and that gave me a taste of the behind the scenes life of Speedway. After a short break in the early 2000’s to establish my Cabaret Career I returned to Western Springs in 2014 as the Social Media Guru for Western Springs Speedway, setting up one of the first social pages for the sport back then and was pretty successful, then as a commentator in 2016.
Have you worked at other tracks or been involved in other Speedways in New Zealand?
2014 – 2016 – Western Springs Speedway – Social Media Guru
2016 – 2020 – Western Springs Speedway – Commentator
2020 – 2021 – Huntly International Speedway Commentator
2021 – Present – Baypark Speedway.
2016 – Present – I have worked part time as well hosting the stream for The Pits Media all over the country including such speedway’s as Cromwell, Riverside, and Huntly. Im looking forward to rejoining the team for the NZ Midgets next year.
What does the role mean exactly, tell us about the job?
Commentary – It’s my job to keep the flow of racing going for the fans in the stadium and for the fans watching via the live stream. To be entertaining for both sides and to talk about what I see and provide as much information for the fans as possible.
Marketing and Promotions – I work closely with the Baypark Speedway Manager to help market and promote the speedway via all Social Media Platforms, Advertising through Radio, Newspaper and digital content. I also help with event planning and many other jobs needed or required by me from the promotions team, this includes the race program, trophies emails even answering the phone, managing the website, basically if there if something I can help with then I will. I left my job and comfort of Auckland City and moved to Tauranga in June to take up a full time role for Speedway Racing Limited and Im completely loving the change. The Bay of Plenty is home now.
If someone was interested in your role, what is the best way for them to get started?
Let someone know that you are interested, Speedway in New Zealand is lacking in commentators especially good ones, it’s not an easy job but if you are passionate about the sport and love to talk to yourself it could be a perfect role for you. There is definitely room for new blood to come through the sport.
What do you love about Speedway?
The smell, the noise the people the entire atmosphere. Then there is the racing I have found with most people you either love it or hate it, you also can either afford to drive or if not you talk about it.
For me what’s not to love about the sport.
What would you like to see changed or added to Baypark Speedway?
Baypark has one of the best facility’s for the sport but Im not sure adding would be credit to the sport here but sometimes less is more. I think less seating in the stadium would be a benefit for sure an addition of grass banks would of been great for young families especially children. However working with what got I think a couple of the new changes that are happening this season will be an exciting feature for the fans.
Have you won any awards for your role in Speedway?
- 2020 Speedway New Zealand Commentator of the year.
Do you have a favorite class or driver?
I’m a big Open wheel fan however I appreciate and love every class for what they do and how they entertain. But I could watch Sprintcar racing all day long. Im still a huge Ted Tracey fan and don’t think that will ever change. Plus many other greats as well, Sleepy Tripp, Stan Fox, Kyle Larson, Brad Mosen, Tony Allen and Owen Shaw and cant go past Maurice Cowling.
Do you have any other sports that you get involved with?
Not these days it’s speedway 24/7 now, helping make Baypark Speedway great again!
Is there anyone in the speedway that you look up to?
Bill Buckley and Melissa Webb for sure, I think what Bill has done for the sport and many drivers and fans is second to none and appreciate everything he has done.
I also wouldn’t be where i am today and days gone by without Melissa Webb the current speedway manager of Baypark, She was the heart of Western Springs for years and she is doing an amazing job turning Baypark around and making it the place we all love.
Do you have any final words you would like to say?
It’s easy for people to have an opinion and everyone has a right to it, but being positive and supportive goes a lot further whether it be about your local track or favourite driver. Councils have tried to drive Speedway out in many city’s, as fans its our job to show the positives of the sport and why it should be considered a New Zealand treasure.