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 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.
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.
Previous Champions
1997-98 Bruce Pluck
1998-99 Steve Duff
1999-00 Daryl Wright
2000-01 Jeremy Harley
2001-02 Nigel Brown
2002-03 Kevin Freeman
2003-04 Kevin Clive
2004-05 Jeremy Harley
2005-06 not held
2006-07 not held
2007-08 Kevin Freeman
2008-09 Danny Mayson
2009-10 Jamie Duff
2010-11 not held- ChCh earthquakes
2011-12 Barry Martinez (USA)
2012-13 Ray Baughan
2013-14 Jason Scott
2014-15 Matt Honeywell
2015-16 Matt Honeywell, Ray Baughan, Allan Woods (equal)
2016-17 Jamie Duff
2017-18 Jamie Duff
2018-19 Jamie Duff
