Baypark converted to drifting track for weekend spectacular

TEAM EFFORT: Volunteers helped contractors drain the track and lay concrete for the D1NZ National Drifting Championship to be held at Baypark on Friday and Saturday. PHOTO: SUPPLIED

The final touches are being made to convert ASB Baypark Stadium for the third round of the Demon Energy D1NZ National Drifting Championship on Friday and Saturday.

Work to lay the track on top of the speedway circuit began on Saturday morning with the circuit complete by midday on Monday.

D1NZ managing director Brendon White said they faced a huge challenge before the concrete pour began after torrential rain battered Baypark Stadium and filled it with water.

"On Saturday we were plagued with the field being a metre under water," he said. "A big thanks to Kennards Hire who gave us eight water pumps to spend the day and night getting water off the field."

Water inside the stadium was pumped out and by 4am on Sunday morning the stadium was ready for the track to be laid.

Volunteers from around the region came to help with 2500sq m of polythene sheet used to protect the speedway circuit.

The Baypark Stadium event is the first time the North Island will experience drifting inside an arena. The decision was made to shift from the carpark to the covered stands of Baypark after the successful first outing at Dunedin's Forsyth Barr Stadium last December.

White said this weekend's action would be the closest experience spectators got to drifting in New Zealand.

"The fans are going to have a rounded bank wall ride for the first time in New Zealand at high speed. They're only one or two metres away from that inside the 19,000-capacity stadium.

"It doesn't matter if it rains or if it's sunny, it's all covered. So no matter the weather it'll all go ahead. There'll be fireworks to end [Saturday] night and throughout the day there'll be the hardpark showcase, stunt bikes, BMX and action sports.

"The fact that you may never see this in the Bay of Plenty is an opportunity not to be missed."

Another unique aspect of the circuit is the addition of a wall ride around the first turn, which has not been seen in New Zealand drifting before.

Traditionally man-made circuits are squared off at each end but this time the drifters will utilise the speedway walls as part of the judged section.

White said the circuit had been well received by the drifters so far and believed they would push hard around the outside wall.

"It's going to be really fast but really technical. It's going to test their ability. They're not used to a banked corner, nor are they used to a rounded corner. Coming off that bank they won't be used to such a fast and aggressive switch into a tight and technical section."

Cole Armstrong, Dave Steedman, Jodie Verhulst and Drew Donovan are some of the top-class Tauranga drivers looking for a hometown victory.

Demon Energy D1NZ National Drifting Championship, round 3
ASB Baypark Stadium, February 24-25
Friday 10.30am - 8.30pm
Saturday 11am - 10.30pm, main show 4.30pm onwards
Tickets available at the gate or through iTicket.co.nz
Information: www.d1nz.com