The Wanganui Vulcans Stockcar team is primed for a big weekend in Gisborne.
The team travelled east earlier in the week to prepare for one of the biggest events on the Stockcar calendar; the New Zealand Stockcar Teams Champs.
Vulcans team manager David Bullôt has named one of the strongest Vulcans teams ever.
The team will be led by Dion Mooney, two-time 2NZ in the Stockcar class, and one of the best teams racers in the business.
He will be supported by the experience of Francis Potaka (52V) and Blair Lockett (89V), former Palmerston North and Wellington driver Scott "Scooter" McIntosh (22V), long-time Wanganui Warrior Darryl Taylor (8V) and up-and-comer Nathan Black (67V).
To add even more experience, Whanganui speedway legend Evan Mooney fills the role of team mentor and tactician.
In the qualifying heats tonight, the Vulcans will face the Kihikihi Crusaders in their first contest.
Later in the evening, they will race their second qualifier against their perennial foes, the Wellington Young Guns.
Thirteen teams have entered the championship, and the top eight teams on points after Friday night's heats will qualify for Saturday night's quarterfinals.
From that point on it's cut-throat racing, with the winners progressing and the losers being eliminated.
To win the title, a team will have to race and win three teams races in quick succession on Saturday night.
That will test the depth of every team, and teamwork on and off the track will have to be of the highest standard.
As well as the prize money and trophies, winning the event carries a major incentive.
The winning club gets to host the event next season, so there is a significant financial reward to the winners.
With no Wanganui Warriors team in the Superstock Teams Champs this season, the Vulcans have been able to secure significant sponsorship from the local business community.
The team's new livery was unveiled on Tuesday night, prior to their departure for Gisborne.
Display Associates has produced a stunning new logo and design.
All the cars will be sporting brand-new bodies for Gisborne courtesy of sponsorship from Sharp As Linehaul, whilst Ross Francis Panel and Paint applied the distinctive silver paint.
Other sponsors include Elite Mechanical and Engineering, Wanganui Toyota, Oceanview Family Speedway, PAUA Products, Loaders, Trev's Concrete Contracting, Pirtek Wanganui, Fast Lane Spares, Chef's Choice, ALC Pavement Specialists JDT Engineers, Blast and Paint and PAUA Print.
Bullôt said the Vulcans were hugely grateful for the support.
"Speedway isn't a cheap sport" he said.
"Knowing that we have so much support and goodwill from Whanganui really motivates us to represent the city."