Riverside Speedway started its humble beginnings back in 1977.

A group of avid race drivers and fans were racing at the neighbouring Oreti Park track back in 1975, it was decided in 1976 to build a new track at Sandy Point and create the Southland Stock Car Drivers Association.

Local company AG Hoffmans donated machinery and operator Allan Shuttleworth to the cause and with alot of blood sweat and tears from drivers, family members and race fans the track was ready and being raced on in 1977, with John Hawke the president.

Local radio station 4ZA got in behind the club for the opening of the circuit, they held a competition on air to name the track and it was Christine and Barry Palmenter that came up with the name Riverside Raceway which the club chose as the official name until recently when Riverside Speedway was adopted by the club.

The early meetings at Riverside Raceway saw locals flock to the circuit in droves to watch their heroes, the likes of Peter Woods, “Stormin” Norman Butler and Don Black just to name a few entertained the masses and really put the club on the map at a national level as well, Riverside Raceway was alive and well and here to stay.

Over the years the club has turned out multiple South Island and New Zealand Champions, in recent years the breeding ground for up and coming drivers has grown and strengthened the club with the introduction of Youth Saloons giving drivers from the age of 12 a gateway to Speedway.

The club is now seeing the fruits of this with a number of drivers moving into other classes within the club.
Each season the fans keep coming back to Sandy Point, lining up at the entry to the circuit well before the green flag drops to see the new generation of racer and a handful of drivers who put Riverside on the map in the early days do battle, putting on a show which leaves fans young and old spellbound and wanting more.

The club’s family focus has made Riverside Speedway a welcoming place that race fans congregate on, young fans looking up to their heroes racing around the track, just like these drivers would have done when they were kids back in the 70’s and 80’s making Riverside Speedway a club that has more than stood the test of time.

This season Riverside Speedway welcomes Aotea Electric on board as its naming rights sponsor.

Aotea Electric Riverside Speedway has a number of great initiatives in place over the coming seasons and this is only made possible with the support of our loyal sponsors, club members and volunteer who commit to the club each season.

We look forward to seeing you on track at Riverside Speedway.