Podcast
The Speedway Insider
Hosted by Christian Hermansen · EN
Christian Hermansen, former three-time New Zealand Speedway Champion and driver of the 99m Sprintcar, and Louise Smith, from Ruapuna Speedway's commentary team, talk about everything Speedway in New Zealand.
13episodes
Episodes
Newest firstAll episodes
29. 21 Speedway back with a bang! The Revival of the highbanks of Meremere
2w ago01:23:01Tap to summarizeWe're joined by broadcaster and friend of the show, Steve Daniel aka Steve the Maori, as a guest co-host to interview Christian about being one of the first drivers to experience the revival of the high banks of Meremere! The highlights, the high speeds, and the overall success of the day. We also hear from Geoff Harper, Ryan O'Connor, Hayden Williams, and Mitch Fabish about their day.21 Speedway website here: https://www.21speedway.com/Follow 21 Speedway on Facebook hereThis episode is brought to you by Auto Super Shoppes - New Zealand's mechanic: https://www.autosupershoppes.co.nzAnd by Fastmaster, your home for Marina Racewear, Arai Helmets, Ibex Tyre Conditioner, Dirt Slayer Tear Offs, and everything you need to perform at a high level behind the wheel: https://fastmaster.co.nz/Episode cover photo: the brilliant Matt Dwen from Dirt on the LensMake sure you're following The Speedway Insider everywhere so you don't miss anything: https://linktr.ee/hermo48
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28. Kerry Brocas and the return of the Meremere Speedway
Apr 901:15:52Tap to summarizeEXCLUSIVE: In a first public chat, former New Zealand Sprintcar champion, Kerry Brocas, joins us to talk about his career as a racer and about his dream project - the return of the high banks of Meremere Speedway and 21 Speedway.21 Speedway website here: https://www.21speedway.com/Follow 21 Speedway on Facebook hereThis episode is brought to you by Auto Super Shoppes - New Zealand's mechanic: https://www.autosupershoppes.co.nzAnd by Fastmaster, your home for Marina Racewear, Arai Helmets, Ibex Tyre Conditioner, Dirt Slayer Tear Offs, and everything you need to perform at a high level behind the wheel: https://fastmaster.co.nz/Episode cover photo: the brilliant Matt Dwen from Dirt on the LensMake sure you're following The Speedway Insider everywhere so you don't miss anything: https://linktr.ee/hermo48
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27. What's been happening? If you could import one thing to NZ from overseas what would it be?
Mar 1801:04:12Tap to summarizeLouise and Christian catch up on what's been happening around speedway. After 8 weeks out of a racecar, Christian calls for more collaboration around calendars. Louise talks Ruapuna's Speedweek on- week off- week on. And a good chat around innovations that could happen in New Zealand from overseas. This episode is brought to you by Auto Super Shoppes - New Zealand's mechanic: https://www.autosupershoppes.co.nzAnd by Fastmaster, your home for Marina Racewear, Arai Helmets, Ibex Tyre Conditioner, Dirt Slayer Tear Offs, and everything you need to perform at a high level behind the wheel: https://fastmaster.co.nz/Episode cover photo: the brilliant Matt Dwen from Dirt on the LensMake sure you're following The Speedway Insider everywhere so you don't miss anything: https://linktr.ee/hermo48
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26. Making the big calls with Ross Thurston, Senior Referee
Mar 201:03:23Tap to summarizeRoss Thurston, Senior Official for Speedway New Zealand, joins us to chat about his journey through speedway, what it takes to make decisions at the big meetings, and the process that goes into it. This episode is brought to you by Auto Super Shoppes - New Zealand's mechanic: https://www.autosupershoppes.co.nzAnd by Fastmaster, your home for Marina Racewear, Arai Helmets, Ibex Tyre Conditioner, Dirt Slayer Tear Offs, and everything you need to perform at a high level behind the wheel: https://fastmaster.co.nz/Episode cover photo: the brilliant Matt Dwen from Dirt on the LensMake sure you're following The Speedway Insider everywhere so you don't miss anything: https://linktr.ee/hermo48
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25. Jay Holtham & Scott Tennant on contact classes, the Future, and Teams Champs
Feb 1501:27:23Tap to summarizeA couple of Glen Eagles, Jay "Huggies" Holtham and Scott Tennant, join us to talk superstocks, stockcars, the future of those classes, what it means to race at Palmy Teams and what it takes to win a teams race. Behind the scenes into team and tactics meetings with two of the best going around.This episode is brought to you by Auto Super Shoppes - New Zealand's mechanic: https://www.autosupershoppes.co.nzAnd by Fastmaster, your home for Marina Racewear, Arai Helmets, Ibex Tyre Conditioner, Dirt Slayer Tear Offs, and everything you need to perform at a high level behind the wheel: https://fastmaster.co.nz/Episode cover photo: the brilliant Matt Dwen from Dirt on the LensMake sure you're following The Speedway Insider everywhere so you don't miss anything: https://linktr.ee/hermo48
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BONUS: World of Outlaws star Ethan Dotson
Feb 400:36:34Tap to summarizeOur first international guest! So cool to be able to speak to World of Outlaws Late Model driver, Ethan Dotson, who is in New Zealand right now racing in the International Super Saloon series. He'll be racing this Saturday and Sunday at Robertson Prestige International Speedway in Palmerston North at the ENZED Teams Champs!This episode is brought to you by Auto Super Shoppes - New Zealand's mechanic: https://www.autosupershoppes.co.nzAnd by Fastmaster, your home for Marina Racewear, Arai Helmets, Ibex Tyre Conditioner, Dirt Slayer Tear Offs, and everything you need to perform at a high level behind the wheel: https://fastmaster.co.nz/Episode cover photo: the brilliant Matt Dwen from Dirt on the LensMake sure you're following The Speedway Insider everywhere so you don't miss anything: https://linktr.ee/hermo48
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24. We're back
Feb 101:09:35Tap to summarizeWe're back for 2026! A recap of what we've been up to, the NZ Sprintcar Champs, the NZ Midget champs, plus a preview of the year ahead!This episode is brought to you by Auto Super Shoppes - New Zealand's mechanic: https://www.autosupershoppes.co.nzAnd by Fastmaster, your home for Marina Racewear, Arai Helmets, Ibex Tyre Conditioner, Dirt Slayer Tear Offs, and everything you need to perform at a high level behind the wheel: https://fastmaster.co.nz/Episode cover photo: the brilliant Matt Dwen from Dirt on the LensMake sure you're following The Speedway Insider everywhere so you don't miss anything: https://linktr.ee/hermo48
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23. Tim Savell
Sep 1101:12:26Tap to summarizeThis week’s guest is Tim Savell. Tim is one of Speedway’s leading administrators in Australasia, being CEO of Speedway New Zealand from 2008 to 2015, CEO of Speedway Australia from 2015 till 2021 and sitting on the SNZ Board from 2018 until 2024.Tim has been heavily involved in transforming the sport at so many different levels in many different ways. We talk everything from administrating the sport, to governing the sport, to being a fan, and everything in between. We also talk about the books he has written about the Superstock Teams Champs, NZ Superstock Championship, and most recently, supported the creation of a book for Woodford Glen's 50th Anniversary. This episode is brought to you by Auto Super Shoppes - New Zealand's mechanic: https://www.autosupershoppes.co.nzAnd by Fastmaster, your home for Marina Racewear, Arai Helmets, Ibex Tyre Conditioner, Dirt Slayer Tear Offs, and everything you need to perform at a high level behind the wheel: https://fastmaster.co.nz/And by System Decal - for all your racing graphics, posters, liveries, socials - see Josh from System Decal: https://www.systemdecal.com/Episode cover photo: the brilliant Matt Dwen from Dirt on the LensMake sure you're following The Speedway Insider everywhere so you don't miss anything: https://linktr.ee/hermo48
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22. Chris Cowling
Aug 1701:34:08Tap to summarizeWe're joined by Chris Cowling, multiple time New Zealand Champion in the Saloon and Super Saloon grade, to debrief his recent trip to race late models in the USA. Where did it all start, words of wisdom, being a second generation racer, and everything in between. This episode is brought to you by Auto Super Shoppes - New Zealand's mechanic: https://www.autosupershoppes.co.nzAnd by Fastmaster, your home for Marina Racewear, Arai Helmets, Ibex Tyre Conditioner, Dirt Slayer Tear Offs, and everything you need to perform at a high level behind the wheel: https://fastmaster.co.nz/And by System Decal - for all your racing graphics, posters, liveries, socials - see Josh from System Decal: https://www.systemdecal.com/Episode cover photo: the brilliant Matt Dwen from Dirt on the LensMake sure you're following The Speedway Insider everywhere so you don't miss anything: https://linktr.ee/hermo48
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21. Hot takes from the AGM/Awards ft Sound Check
Jul 1601:01:09Tap to summarizeLouise and Christian discuss awards and rule changes, what is big that changed and how does it affect you? Plus our first proper sound check!This episode is brought to you by Auto Super Shoppes - New Zealand's mechanic: https://www.autosupershoppes.co.nzAnd by Fastmaster, your home for Marina Racewear, Arai Helmets, Ibex Tyre Conditioner, Dirt Slayer Tear Offs, and everything you need to perform at a high level behind the wheel: https://fastmaster.co.nz/And by System Decal - for all your racing graphics, posters, liveries, socials - see Josh from System Decal: https://www.systemdecal.com/Episode cover photo: the brilliant Matt Dwen from Dirt on the LensMake sure you're following The Speedway Insider everywhere so you don't miss anything: https://linktr.ee/hermo48
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