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Taking the chequered flag in the latest round of the New Zealand Rotax Max Challenge and ProKart Series has skidded to a halt for Bay of Plenty driver Josh Adlam who suffered a mechanical failure in the pre-finals race.

About 90 drivers are competing in the NZ Rotax Max Challenge. Photos: Cameron Avery.

Josh is one of 90 drivers taking to the track in six categories in round four of the six-part national series roaring into Bay of Plenty Kart club's home track – Fagan's Valley Raceway – this weekend.

But race secretary Jo Adlam says the Bay driver suffered a mechanical failure in the pre-final races this morning, which means he starts off the back in the race finals this afternoon.

'Other than that it's all going really well for our Bay drivers,” says Jo. 'Taylor Harte is on poll for the final and Blake Austin is starting on four for the final.”

Jo says so far it's been a smooth ride for all drivers, with no crashes reported so far.

The event invites the country's elite KZ2 drivers competing in either Masters, Restricted or Open classes – as well as the junior Cadet ROK and Vortex Mini Rock drivers.

As well as local drivers, there is some Australian driving talent spinning wheels on the track too, as well as Palmerston North karting international Josh Hart.

Jo says the Bay hosts the event on the local track every year.

'To have all of these top drivers come to our track, including five Aussie drivers, it makes BOP the place to be this weekend.”

Winners of the Rotax Max Light, DD2 and Rotax Max Junior divisions will qualify for a spot at the Rotax World championships in Spain later this year.

Pre-finals and finals are racing today, with engines running from 9am to 4pm.

Drivers will next head into round five of the challenge in Auckland before the sixth and final round in Hamilton.