Preparations for the weekend's hydroplane racing on Tauranga harbour are underway with cranes lowering 751 seats on The Strand Reclamation car park on Thursday afternoon.
These seats will form the grandstand for the racing that includes the Masport Cup.

The grandstand gets lowered into place. Photo by Tracy Hardy.

Spectators will also be able to wander around the pits and watch the boats being dropped into the water by a team of three cranes.
The hydroplanes are having speed tests and grading for places in the competition on the Saturday with the championship races on the Sunday.
Saturday entry is $10 and on Sunday is $20. A two day pass is $25 and children under 12 free.