ASB Baypark to host major drifting event

SUPER ACTION: NZ national drifting championship round one winner Cole Armstong, left, battles with fellow Tauranga driver Drew Donovan at Dunedin's Forsyth Barr Stadium in December. PHOTO: FILE

ASB Baypark Stadium has seen its share of drama and exciting events over the years.

Every speedway event produces thrills and spills while the two home defences of the Ranfurly Shield by the Bay of Plenty Steamers in 2004 packed the ground to its near-17,000 capacity.

Perhaps the greatest adrenalin-pumping moments have come from the jetsprint boats which, for two years, had the Bay of Plenty public enthralled before they moved on.

Next week the stadium will reverberate to the unique sights and sounds of top-class drifting when the Demon Energy D1NZ National Drifting Championship is held inside the stadium on February 24-25.

It will be the first time a North Island stadium hosts D1NZ - and only the second time in Southern Hemisphere history - following the drift event held in Dunedin's Forsyth Barr Stadium last December.

More than 5000sq m of concrete will be laid on top of the grass infield next week to form a drift circuit.

Organisers are promising an action-packed evening filled with pyrotechnics, fireworks, and high-speed drifting to entertain fans in a spectacular show on Saturday.

D1NZ category manager Brendon White says the existing infrastructure at Baypark means the costs associated with converting a blank canvas like the Baypark carpark or Forsyth Barr Stadium are not present.

"So we can focus 100 per cent on making an amazing show for fans, sponsors, and driver that this track layout will offer," White said.

"Some will walk away broken but one thing's for sure - it will offer some of the best drifting ever witnessed in the country."

The move to inside the stadium assures fans the added luxury of covered seating, big screens, food and public facilities the arena offers.

Round one winner at Dunedin's Forsyth Barr Stadium was Tauranga's Cole Armstrong. He said the opportunity to compete at home was one he was looking forward to.

"For D1NZ to place a track in our home town in Baypark Stadium here is so awesome," Armstrong said.

"We've had it three years here, and to step it up, and to create something awesome like Nitro Circus - it's next level."

Fellow Tauranga drifter Dave Steedman is excited to bring the action inside the stadium, especially given his recent form in the series.

"Tauranga is such a motorsport enthusiast capital," he said.

"It's going to be fantastic to have D1NZ inside the stadium. All of the fans are going to come out and just fill these seats.

"I'm feeling really good after round two, I had really good seat time, got used to the car, and came away with the win. I'm super pumped to come back to Baypark and try and get on that podium again."

Bay Venues chief executive officer Gary Dawson said adding drifting to the multipurpose facility added another element to the mix of sports held in the stadium.

"This stadium has been purpose-built for speed events, not only speedway," said Dawson.

"As we've demonstrated already we've had jetsprints, Nitro Circus, we've had rally cross, and now to get drifting it really just enhances its reputation as an adrenaline speed venue in the Southern Hemisphere."

Demon Energy D1NZ National Drifting Championship

ASB Baypark Stadium, February 24 - 25
Friday 10.30am - 5pm, doors open 10.30am
Adult: $10.00 online, $15.00 on the gate
Saturday 4.30pm - 10pm, doors open 11am
Adult: $20.00 online, $25.00 on the gate
Tickets www.iticket.co.nz