Pre-schoolers hoon in colourful derby + vid

Bay pre-schoolers let rip in their decorated wheels around Tauranga's ASB Arena.

More than 500 children from 20 Bay of Plenty Kidicorp centres took their cardboard cars along to the Kidicorp Box Car Derby today.

Check out a video of the box car derby below

Children between the ages of two and five committed a lot of creativity to transforming their cardboard boxes into vehicles for the derby, said Kidicorp professional services manager Michela Homer in a statement.

"Some centres held nights when the parents could come in and help. It's been great to have the families involved and the children are super-excited about it all."

The occasion included an appearance from the Variety Club Kidicorp fire truck, Ruben the Road Safety Bear, a photo booth, spot prizes, a picnic lunch and a parade of the decorative vehicles as well as races.

Ms Homer said it was an event that gives back, with raffle tickets being sold and a gold coin entry to the derby.

One third of the funds raised will go towards Plunket and the remainder will go to families in need.

"The box car derby seemed a good way to bring our Kidicorp (recently renamed BestStart) community together and to help people," said Ms Homer.

Raffle prizes where donated from the community including a flight around Tauranga, various cafe vouchers and a child-size BMW play car.