The equivalent of four Olympic-sized swimming pools of water has been poured into ASB Baypark Stadium this week in preparation for the ENZED 2016 UIM Jetsprint World Championship this weekend.
The Mount Maunganui stadium's turf has been dug up once again and replaced with 1600 cubic metres of water ahead of a weekend of high-octane, international, motor racing at the temporary water-filled track on January 29-30.
This video shows the action seen at the inaugural Baypark event in 2014.
Event director Pip Minnell says round two/finals weekend will feature a field of more than 40 jetsprint boats, including drivers from New Zealand, Australia, Canada, and the US – and a field of more than 20 Altherm Group A boats.
'All of the international crews have rolled into town. It's the largest field of Suzuki Superboats to race in a world series ever. So there should be plenty of action, thrills and spills on the track.”
Pip says the international action is what makes this year's racing bigger and better than the inaugural event in Mount Maunganui in 2015.
'The world series is only biennial, and won't be back here in NZ until 2022. The great thing is the New Zealander drivers are the current world title holders. So it's about encouraging people to get along and back the Kiwis in defending their world title.”
The crowd can also get behind Tauranga driver Aaron Hansen and his partner Julie-Anne Shanks in their boat ‘Rusty'.
'Our next nearest neighbours are Nick Berryman and his daughter racing from NZ River Jet which is just out of Rotorua,” says Pip. 'There's also a team from Rapid Jet in Taupo.”
There'll be plenty of action on and off the track, with the Pump KidZone featuring a giant water slide, bouncy castles, face painting, balloons, a fun photo booth – and a chance to meet Team Altherm motocross rider John Coppins.
Open 4pm-8pm on Saturday, the Pump KidZone is a gold coin entry with all proceeds going to Tauranga Volunteer Coastguard.
The main event finals racing starts 4pm-10pm on Saturday, January 30, gates open 1pm. Practice day and qualifying rounds run 6pm-10pm on Friday, January 29, gates open from 5pm. (Admission to Friday practice day is with a two-day pass only.)
Tickets are available from www.eventfinda.co.nz
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