Rally race cars will spend an hour roaring around Pohe Island but some of New Zealand's top motorbike riders will battle it out for serious prize money during much of tomorrow.
An event held by the Whangarei Motor Cycle Club in conjunction with the Whangarei stage of the international car rally
will this time offer a $3000, winner takes all, first prize.
Club spokesman Ray Wedge said the popular Dash 4 Cash event, which draws big crowds on either side of the rally's midday special stage at Pohe Island, has attracted some big names on New Zealand's bike racing circuit.
"We start the practice rides about 7am and then the circuit closes at around 11am when the rally cars arrive, and re-opens at 1pm. After that we run our official elimination event," Mr Wedge said.
The dash involves a 300m straight on the grass, into a 180-degree corner, on to a table top jump and a 300m sprint back to the finish.
The event, which has been held with the rally for four years, has gone from strength to strength.
"How often can you go to a motorcycle event in New Zealand and take away $3000 cash for a $30 entry fee?
"It just doesn't happen, except in Whangarei," Mr Wedge says.
While open to anyone who can legally ride, race circuit riders after the purse this year include Cody Cooper, Darryl King, Jesse Wiki, Mason Wilkie, Nick Saunders, Blake Gillard, Peter Broxholme, Josh Jack and "keen as" international supercross rider Ben Townley.
"With these guys coming up, there could be some spectacular competition," Mr Wedge said.
Bikes are predominantly motocross, quads or modified bikes, and all racing safety rules apply.
