Extracts from Woodford Glen Speedway's 25 Years of Racing Book:

Woodford Glen Speedway was the vision of two men, Errol Inwood and Ron Rutherford. They felt there was a need for a speedway track for cars plus they felt that Christchurch would welcome racing as a place for involvement with cars for young and old alike. We decided it was about time a suitable venue was provided for Saloon, Stock and Modified racing in the South Island. To be successful we recognised that it was imperative to build it to "Speedway Control Board" rules as it would be the only Saloon, Stock and Modifed Track in the South Island.

However before any official feasibility studies were done Errol and Ron said the following: We approached the Templeton Speedway Association to see if we could lease their track on Friday nights - they said NO. There was not enough time to relay the track for their Saturday night meetings. We then suggested we could run on Wednesday nights and they again said NO - with NO reason. Thirdly we suggested they incorporate 2 races each for Saloons, Stocks and MOdifieds during their normal Saturday night meetings and they again said NO!

It the became clear that their hard headed members and executive would not agree to anything as they were basking in the glory of Ivan Mauger, Barry Briggs and Ronnie Moore with their world class performances. Little did they realise that to have three world class riders from one small city was a "miracle" that had never been done before and has not been done since. It probably never will be attained anywhere in the world again. Consequently that was their biggest mistake ever. We were more determined to start a new form of speedway racing.

Knowing it would be a tough assignment, we had a meeting in Hamilton with some Speedway Control Board members to establish the exact criteria required. The SCB (now named Speedway New Zealand) was very helpful, in particular "Spike Richardson". But they emphasised everything had to be done in accordance with the rule book. We were happy with that and consequently visited Waikaraka Park in Auckland, Wanganui Speedway and Te Marua in Weliington mainly to ascertain their viability, crowd success and design. On return to Christchurch, while detailed plans were being drawn we located a piece of suitable land at West Melton.

However, because it was within 15 kms as the crow flies to the Templeton Speedway Track we could not use it. Some Councils said they would never allow a speedway to be established in their county. We were then forced to negotiate with Jim Mordsley. He conducted car "Scramble" racing on the banks of the Waimak River (where Woodford Glen exists today). Jim had the correct zoniing for motorsport already ensuring the Eyre council could not refuse activity there. Jim wanted to sell and eventually agreed to transfer the lease for $1700.

In Jiune 1974, we began construction only to strike the wettest winter in about 30 years. Cosequently, the construction was delayed some 2 months, with heavy machinery bogged and our budget "blowing out" by many thousands of dollars. On top of that the civil engineers we had contracted, miscalculated the pole line. Instead of it being approx 450 metres it ended up close to 560 metres. You can imagine that extra cost by the time you got to the safety fence, track surface, base course, lighting, cabling, embankments and crowd control fencing, not mentioning the grassed infield. The reason the Speedway track is egg shaped is because it had to be constructed on the piece of land under the ownership of the Timperley Family Trust which was triangular.

Before opening the complex we had to think of a name. Both of us liked the name of the New York Motor Racing Track "Watkins Glen" and we agreed that a "Glen" is a valley, or a bowl shaped construction, or space between hills (viewing embankments) so "Glen" it was.

Then after many weeks, Errol Inwood and Ron Rutherford wisely decided to use the last four letters in each of their surnames hence "Woodford" and add the Glen to it and so it is today. We believe the name never be changed or compromised with large financial sponsorship. It is really a "Magic" name that has stood the test of time.

From day one, many fans, supporters, staff, competitors, mechanics, engineers, constructors, sponsors and hardworking officials must be congratulated on a fabulous effort to maintain Woodford Glen Speedway. We celebrate Woodford Glen as the best club operated speedway in New Zealand. Both the Rutherford and Inwood families contributed heavily from day one.

Both Ron and Errol are very proud of the efforts of many people, through the years and today that has this track at the top of the tree.

Not too many people know but the track had a "winding up order" placed on it the Thursday before Easter 1976. Because budgets blew out and bascially we were undercapitalised in view of those problems, we nearly lost it. However everyone stuck together and what a marvelous complex it is today.

We sincerely trust the next 25 years will be as successful as the last 25 years.
Cheers ... Errol Inwood and Ron Rutherford