New Zealand’s First Stand Alone Car Race – 26th December 1905

On 26 December 1905, the Automobile Association hosted the Great Automobile Gymkhana at Addington Raceway. 30 cars featured. Numerous races took place, including the one believed to be the first stand alone car race in New Zealand. The Automobile Association – known today as the AA – was only 2 years old at the time …

Addington Raceway Opened – 1899

In 1899, the land (once potato fields) that Addington Raceway would call home was secured by lease from the city’s Sunnyside Hospital. The man behind the deal was Christchurch’s 15th Mayor, the Honourable Charles Louisson. Working on the behalf of The Metropolitan Trotting Club – who had been using Lancaster Park – they were finally …