Bay drivers ready to race

Two drivers are super excited to be part of the action and ready to get down to business – and whatever they offer at New Zealand's first international rallycross event, it's sure to have spectators in a spin.

Rotorua's Sloane Cox and Tauranga's Dave Holder are two of 60 drivers who will race rallycross-style for the first time in The Tengtools NZ International rallycross at Baypark this weekend.


Bay driver Sloan Cox is racing two different cars in two different categorys today and tomorrow in NZ's first international rallycross event at Baypark. Photo: Tracy Hardy.

And both couldn't be happier, saying the 1.3km track in and around BayPark stadium with three different surfaces – clay, ashphalt and gravel – will offer a new style of racing and great up-close entertainment to viewers.

The event, running Saturday and Sunday, has three divisions – rallycross, off-road, and Polaris (off-road racer) – offering a NZ Champ title in each, along with $30,000 prize money.


Bay drivers Sloan Cox and Jono Shapley are ready will race today and tomorrow in NZ's first international rallycross event at Baypark, Tauranga. Photo: Tracy Hardy.

Sloane will race his Mitsubishi Evo 10 rally car in the rallyclass, and his 'home-build” race car – a Hillclimb Evo – in category 1, the top class.

Sloane says rallycross is a novel way of getting close to spectators and showing off sponsors. 'I love the idea – I loved it when I heard of them doing overseas. I wondered how long it would take to come to NZ. So now it's here I'm excited.”

So what will we see? 'It will be a lot action; cars passing and coming into contact, rubbing guards a little bit.

'And with the different surfaces you can run a road tyre or a gravel tyre. So when you go onto another surface tyres will lose grip and you'll see cars sliding around.”

'And because cars are racing together around a circuit – unlike racing separately in the country in rallying – you'll see dirt hitting windscreens – so it will be all action.”

Motorsport BOP member Sloane, 24, has been driving cars since age 12 and racing on national rally circuit NZRC since 15.

'We going there 100 per cent committed – that's why Cox Motorsport has entered both cars and we are wanting to be at the top of both classes. A lot of work has gone into getting cars ready for the event.”

And being close to his hometown Rotorua, he's got a huge crew and support base coming.

Meanwhile, Tauranga's Dave Holder has a different take on the crowds expected.

'I've focused on rallying around NZ until now, not in a stadium which is all new to me, so it will be interesting with a few more spectators around!

'There's lot people watching if you stuff up and get it wrong.”

And because Dave is used to racing alone to secure a good time, this will be a challenge.

'I'll be the first time I will race side-by-side with other cars – normally we are a minute apart,” says Dave, who will race his Mitsubishi Evo 8 in the rallyclass and unlimited class.

'My car is set up for rallying. Normally with rallycross the cars are lot lighter and more powerful – and made of fibreglass so if you touch people it doesn't matter.”

But this isn't stopping Dave taking the event seriously – he promises he will not be a hooligan.

'Our aim is to keep it clean, go round nice and tidy, and you might still end up with a good result.

'Rallying is fun – don't get me wrong – but I'm there to do the business,” says the 27-year-old.

'I take things pretty seriously. I'm not expecting to be the fastest but I will be trying my best.”

Single day tickets cost adults $30, children $15, and $50 per family. Tickets for both days cost adults $50 adults, children $25, and $80 per family.

Tickets are available at the gate on both days. Gates open 2pm today (Saturday, February 27) and 9am tomorrow (Sunday, February 28).

Or buy tickets online at Eventfinda or www.nzrallycross.co.nz

For up to date times of races check the: NZ International Rallycross Facebook page.

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