The Monster Energy S-X Open, a motocross event, comes to New Zealand for the first time and will take place in Mt Smart Stadium.
It has taken 6000 tonnes of dirt, 10,000sq m of thick geo-tech cloth and three days to transform Mt Smart Stadium into a motocross lover's dream.
Earlier this month the venue hosted chart-topper Taylor Swift, but tonight the venue better known for concerts and league games will play host tothe world's best supercross and freestylers at the Monster Energy S-X Open.
The daredevils of motocross can take their 100kg machines up 40m high, flip them frontways, backwards and sideways. But to do that they need tracks, ramps and a lot of dirt.
More than 200 truck and trailer loads of topsoil were transported to the Auckland venue this week - but only after turf-protecting geo-tech cloth and plywood was laid.
"It is quite the operation with 6000 tonnes of soil shaped into tracks, banked corners and jumps," Mt Smart head of stadium events David Williams said.
"They bring specialists from Australia to operate the machinery. They are so skilled and move soil around like we would use a knife and fork."
Because of the weight of the soil, and the cost to maintain the grass at Mt Smart, a specialist geo-tech cloth is laid, then covered with large sheets of plywood.
The soil is gradually built up and compacted to 300mm before vehicles are allowed to drive on it.
Taylor Swift performed at Auckland's Mt Smart Stadium on November 9, 2018. Photo / Getty Images
By Monday it will all be gone and the green grass of Mt Smart will be back.
"They start first thing Sunday morning and before you know it it's gone - back to normal," Williams said.
"It's not too different to Taylor Swift where it was nine days to load in and they were out within two. Adele was also a huge set-up and they were out the next day."
Top FMX star Australian Blake "Bilko" Williams said the Monster Energy S-X show promised to be a crowd pleaser, comprising double backflips, front flips, 360s and high-speed action.
More than 200 truck and trailer loads of topsoil were transported to the Auckland venue this week. Photo / Greg Bowker
"It's choreographed mayhem and it's one hell of a show. There are no safety nets."
It is the first time the show has visited New Zealand with one of the most extreme tracks as well as entertainment and pyrotechnics promised.
It features the final round of the Monster Energy S-X Open Supercross FIM Oceania Championship in 2018, and the SX1 Champion will be crowned in Auckland.
Freestyle riders will also contest the FMX "Best Trick" competition, where previous winners will throw down such tricks as cliffhangers and 360s.
The event is supported by Auckland Tourism, Events and Economic Development (Ateed) as part of Auckland's Major Events Portfolio.
David Williams, Head of Stadium Events, stands among the 6000 tonnes of dirt. Photo / Greg Bowker
Ateed head of major events Stuart Turner said the S-X Open Auckland highlighted Auckland as a "host city for a dynamic sport" with large local and international broadcast and social media followings.
