Fruit cars, buzzy bee cars and combi vans lit up Tauranga's ASB Arena as Bay of Plenty pre-schoolers took part in the BestStart Box Car Derby yesterday.

Held at ASB Arena this week, the much-anticipated event saw more than 500 ‘underage' drivers from 20 Bay of Plenty BestStart centres take part.

From left: Sunny Tongalea Nolan, Fergus Gemmins, and Jett Ly take part in the BestStart Box Car Derby. Photos: Shereen Bell.

BestStart professional services manager Michela Homer says the children, who are aged between two and five, worked hard to create the enormous range of themed cars.

To race their cars, children each stood within their box, which they hold tight and then run, and two speedway tracks were created inside the arena for the occasion.

'Many parents came in and helped, which was lovely,” says Michela.

'The Box Car Derby allowed everyone to have fun while being creative and getting physical exercise, so this event was perfect in many ways."

The festivities also included an appearance from the Variety Club Kidicorp fire truck, Ruben the Road Safety Bear, a photo booth, spot prizes, a picnic lunch and a parade of the decorative vehicles.

Michela says it is an event that gives something back, with the centres selling raffle tickets and entry to the derby by gold coin donation.

One third of the money made will go to Plunket, with the remainder going to families in need.

'The box car derby seemed a good way to bring our community together and to help people,” she adds.

Raffle prizes where donated from the community, including a flight around Tauranga, various cafe vouchers and a child-sized BMW play car.

TopKids Mount Maunganui Sean Quinn with Jacob Wills and Noah Rowse.

Lushuane Johnston-Ruthe.

Morgan Trubshaw (teacher), Roye Langdon - buzy bee, Jackson Kururangi (Beanie on), Mason Gould (Crocodile), and Micah Gaskin-Warrilow (Yellow hat with the MICAH number plate).

Charlotte Fluety is all smiles with Top Kids Mount Maunganui teacher Ani.