Local Bryce Steiner is steering for success at Rotorua's Paradise Valley Raceway this weekend when he gets behind the wheel at one of the biggest stockcar events in the country.
Steiner is driving for a top podium position at the 2017 Technical Welding Services World Invitation 240s Superstock Championships in a field of 74 superstocks this year.
The seasoned driver took home the title in 2015 and finished third last year, behind brothers Scott and Adam Joblin in first and second place respectively.
Steiner said he was wary of competition, including UK drivers Frankie Wainman Jnr, Lee Fairhurst, Bobby Griffin and John Dowson.
"The whole meeting is tough - all the best cars from around the country show up and quality international drivers too," he said.
"I'm pretty confident. But I don't want to get too ahead of myself.
"This is a huge event so I'll be happy to get near the podium. Anything can happen with these bumpers- you have to be prepared. You can have one car who just decides they want to stop you and if they start hitting you around you aren't going to come anywhere."
But Steiner admitted he hadn't had the best preparation ahead of the weekend after the theft of his tool box, worth several thousand dollars, taken from his work place - Central Auto Dismantlers, on Tuesday night.
Also his usually trusted Top Gear 41 rev Superstock car had recent engine problems.
"It was awful to have all the tools taken because they are specific to this car, it's a setback but one we, as a team, have to move on from," Steiner said.
"I've also had some engine issues which were only sorted about a week ago so I haven't had a lot of time with good power to get the rest of it set up to suit the speed, but we should be in the mix now things are sorted."
Bryce Steiner (left) in action during a previous World Invitation 240s Superstock Championships at the Paradise Valley Raceway. PHOTO/ FILE
Qualifiers for the event, hosted by Rotorua Stockcar Club for the 12th consecutive year, will be held tomorrow with the top six on points in each of the three groups going through to Saturday night's final.
"In a top field like this you have to start hitting them out of the way to get through otherwise there's no chance. You need to get those points," Steiner said.
The final will include three races and the winner will be the driver with the highest total points after those three races, gained by their finishing positions.
Five drivers have already earned their place in the 26-car final, including the four international drivers taking part and last year's winner Scott Joblin.
Steiner, whose team includes his sons Joel, 10, and Luke, 9, said he hoped his valuable experience would pay off and would be taking care on the notoriously difficult opening corner on the Paradise Valley Raceway track.
"I have done heaps of laps around it and I do know the track reasonably well. A lot of it is about a good grid position for the final - that really is half the battle," he said.
"Then you need a good set up, car speed and the rest of it is down to experience and, of course, some luck. I mean you really have to watch out for that first corner - there can be some huge crashes so coming through that unscathed will be an achievement in itself."
Racing starts at 7pm on both nights and is due to finish around 10.30pm.
International drivers are invited to the world 240s each year, which gives the event a world status.
"Every top stockcar from New Zealand will be competing and we've also got top quality internationals. The crowd can expect hard and fast racing. It will certainly be thrilling to watch and literally anything can happen," Rotorua Stockcar Club promotions manager Sonja Hickey said.
2017 Technical Welding Services World Invitation 240s Superstock Championships
When: Friday from 7pm - Qualifiers / Saturday from 7pm - Finals
