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The Woodford Glen and Ruapuna speedway tracks have teamed up to stage a major event event together for the first time for this weekend's two rounds of the inaugural midget car Triple Crown series.

Ruapuna will run the first round on Friday night and Woodford Glen the second on Saturday night, with the third round at Western Springs on February 4. The $30,000 series has drawn two of the world's top midget car drivers - Jerry Coons jun, who has won the American title twice and will be racing in the South Island for the first time, and New Zealand titleholder Michael Pickens.

Former Woodford Glen promoter Lewis Dawson, now the manager at Western Springs, has organised the series and said the upgrading of the Glen's safety catch fence has been a catalyst for it. The venture could lead to more co-operation between the rival tracks in future.

"We need to work more to keep speedway strong and keep it growing," said Glen promoter Steve Lennon.

"Hey, at the end of the day we're still going to clash from time to time, but it's good to work in together for the sport when we can like this."

Ruapuna president Darren Nankivellsaid events like the Triple Crown were far too important for Christchurch to miss out on, which was why both tracks saw the benefit of hosting a round each. "We're fortunate that the series organisers have offered this to the two Christchurch tracks, and we're all working hard to make it a success."

More than 20 cars have signed up for the Christchurch meetings, with Pickens sure to push the American star, who will race the Esslinger-powered Spike car owned by Auckland businessman Danny Lendich.

Last summer they dead heated for first in the World 50 lap Classic at Western Springs, and Pickens has been in hot form recently.

Former national midget champion Graham Standring has found the lure of the Triple Crown too great to resist, and will come out of semi-retirement to drive the Esslinger Spike that was raced successfully during the recent World Series by American teenage superstar Kyle Larsen.

The doubleheader was a huge opportunity for speedway racing in Christchurch, said Standring.