A strong contingent of Tauranga competitors will be taking part in New Zealand's first arena international rallycross event next weekend.

Ten Western Bay of Plenty racers have registered, to date, for the Tengtools NZ International rallycross event, which will be held at Baypark's ASB Stadium in Tauranga on February 27 and 28.

Sloan Cox is one of the Bay drivers taking part in next weekend's rallycross. Photo: File.

The event will be based on the global rallycross fixtures so popular in Europe and the United States, whereby spectators enjoy the action from the comfort of arena seats.

The ten include Sloan Cox, who will be competing in two divisions, and NZ Polaris Champion Ben Thomasen (although he is licensed through a Waikato club.)

About 60 competitors are expected, competing in three divisions which are: rallycross, off-road, and Polaris (off-road racer).

Promoter Ron Dixon says the quality of competitors is 'incredible”.

'We have a pretty classy field with top operators. Spectators can expect to see the best in action.”

The other competitors Western Bay of Plenty competitors are David Holder, Dave Short, Jonathan Shapley, Phil Campbell, Wayne Pittams, Max Tregilgas, Dave West and Travis McCormack.

The track will cover 1.3 kilometres and will traverse the ASB Arena's Southern car park, then the asphalt road which was the former entry to the stadium. Competitors will return to the stadium over the 1.5 metre-high speedway wall. Cars will either perform high-flying jumps over the wall or use a specially constructed ramp.

'All this can be enjoyed from the stadium which seats 17,000 people under cover. The event will start and finish on the Baypark speedway track in front of the large crowd expected, with the rest of the outside-arena action captured on big screens.

'There will be a combination of various cars on a combination of surfaces. And there will be New Zealand and overseas drivers bidding to be the inaugural NZ champion in each category,” Ron enthuses,” Ron says.

New Zealand's four-time Bathurst 1000 winner, Greg Murphy, has been invited to compete in the rallycross. Two Australian champions will challenge the Kiwi talent.

Ron says a highlight of the event will be the Tengtools Trans-Tasman Rallycross Cup, which will be contested between Marcus Walkem and Steeve Gleeny from Australia and two yet-to-be selected New Zealand drivers in a three-heat shoot out run over four laps per heat. This trans-tasman event will be held on Sunday at the end of the event, with the NZ drivers announced at the conclusion of Saturday night racing.

ASB Stadium at Baypark comes under the umbrella of Bay Venues Limited. Its Commercial Manager Ervin McSweeney says the rallycross event has the potential to be every bit as exciting as its recent predecessor, the Jetsprints.

'To be able to create another NZ-first event experience in fast moving excitement and action within a stadium confines shows how innovative thinking can provide great events for the Bay to enjoy, and to attract visitors to the region,” he says.

The event will be held on Saturday, February 27 from 4pm to 10pm and on Sunday, February 28 from noon until 7pm.

There will be other forms of live entertainment on offer, including pit walks, the opportunity to meet the drivers, plus a DJ stage including special appearances from some of the legend drivers of the past.

Those attending the event will be able to access the stadium through the usual entry points, and parking will be available at the ASB Arena's northern parking lot.

Tickets can be purchased from Eventfinda www.nzrallycross.co.nz