Hydraulink War of the Wings

The Hydraulink War of the Wings (also known as WOW) is a New Zealand based dirt track racing series, with championship rounds held throughout the South Island. Founded in 1997, the tour has grown to become a consistent fixture on the New Zealand Speedway calendar and has attracted numerous drivers from international racing backgrounds. In 2016 and again in 2018 the War of the Wings was the winner of the 'Best Speedway Series' category at the New Zealand Speedway Awards.

Hydraulink War of the Wings

Category	Dirt track racing
Country	New Zealand
Tyre suppliers	Hoosier
Drivers' champion	Joel Myers Jr
Teams' champion	Daniel Anderson Motorsport
Official website	https://www.warofthewingssprintcars.co.nz
Current season

Origins

In 1997 Sprint Car Racing in the South Island was in a perilous state. Just a handful of cars could be depended on to 'hit the track'. A group of enthusiasts headed by Brian Barclay, Alistair Kelso and Allan Batt put there energy into forming a 'mini' series that would run at Ruapuna, Dunedin, Ellesmere and Ashburton. Slowly but surely the numbers and enthusiasm grew and in time Cromwell became a destination as did Nelson, Invercargill, Blenheim and Woodford Glen.

There have been a couple of seasons when the War of the Wings has been sideline, primarily by the cessation of the original South Island Sprint Car Association, and the 2010-11 events fell victim to the Christchurch earthquakes.

In 2007 the Sprint car Association was re-ignited and plans were put in place to 'grow' the series by putting up an irresistible amount of prize and travel incentives.

Sporting regulations

War of the Wings is run at venues licensed by Speedway New Zealand, the major governing body of Speedway in NZ, as well as venues licensed by the Circle Track Racing Association (CTRA).

Race day format

War of the Wings race day formats go as follows: 30 minutes before racing begins, Time Trials are held to determine the lineups of the heat races along with giving out points for the fastest time. The program then continues as scheduled, with War of the Wings Heat Races 1,2 and 3 mixed in amongst the support classes. Eventually, the meeting generally rounds off with the War of the Wings Feature race.

Cars

The Hydraulink War of the Wings series currently includes the Winged Sprintcar class. This class features a 410ci Engine.

Tracks

War of the Wings tracks

Track	Surface Type	Length	Location	Region	Season(s)	Races held

Records

Champions

Season
	Winner	Race No.	Second Place	Third Place
2023-24	Joel Myers Jr	46USA	Connor Rangi	Dyllan Forsey
2022-23	Joel Myers Jr	46c	Matt Anderson	Jacob McIntyre
2021-22	Connor Rangi	57n	Stephen Taylor	Steve Duff Jr
2020-21	Jamie Duff	19c	Connor Rangi	Caleb Baughan
2019-20	Caleb Baughan	59c	Alicia Hill	Paddy North
2018-19	Jamie Duff	19t	Connor Rangi	Sam O'Callaghan
2017-18	Jamie Duff	19t	Connor Rangi	Daniel Anderson
2016-17	Jamie Duff	19t	Matt Honeywell	Luke Keegan
2015-16	Allan Woods	28	Ray Baughan	Matt Honeywell
2014-15	Matt Honeywell	64	Jason Scott	Brett Sullivan
2013-14	Jason Scott	88
2012-13	Ray Baughan	95c
2011-12	Barry Martinez
2009-10	Jamie Duff	19t
2008-09	Danny Mayson
2007-08	Kevin Freeman
2004-05	Jeremy Harley
2003-04	Kevin Clive
2002-03	Kevin Freeman
2001-02	Nigel Brown
2000-01	Jeremy Harley
1999-00	Daryl Wright
1998-99	Steve Duff
1997-98	Bruce Pluck

Hydraulink War of the Wings Wins

All figures correct end of 2023-24 season.

Key

Bold	Hydraulink War of the Wings Champion

Hydraulink War of the Wings Feature Race Winners

Rank	Country	Driver	Wins	Active
1	New Zealand	Jamie Duff	30	2009–present

Awards and nominations

Year	Award	Category	Result
2018	New Zealand Speedway Awards	Series of the Year	Winner
2016	New Zealand Speedway Awards	Series of the Year	Winner