KEY POINTS:
The track is ready, the cars have arrived and the drivers are on their way.
Taupo is about to host New Zealand's inaugural round of the World A1 GP World Cup of Motorsport, with up to 70,000 people expected to attend the event over the course of three days, beginning on Friday.
Hotels in the tourist resort are nearly all booked to capacity on Friday and Saturday.
Warren Kettlewell, president of Taupo's chamber of commerce, said he understood accommodation bookings were being taken as far away as Rotorua and Palmerston North.
However, Destination Lake Taupo manager Scott Lee said the situation was changing daily, and rooms were still available due to last-minute cancellations.
"Officially there are 6500 commercial beds in the region, that's hotels and motels and doesn't include B&Bs and houses for rent. We're expecting pretty close to 20,000 additional guests in town this weekend," he said.
Private homes were being rented out for between $250 a night and $1500 a night.
"The town is absolutely buzzing. The retailers have got right behind it with flags in the windows and welcome signs all over the place," he said.
"Down at the lakefront there are dozens of flags representing all the nations [competing]. On Saturday night there's a free street party being organised in Tuwharetoa St."
The build-up will last all week. Some drivers have already arrived, although most will check-in tomorrow.
Almost all drivers have registered their interest in taking part in a jetski competition on the lakefront on Thursday.
A1 Team New Zealand spokesman Dean McLachlan said he arrived in town yesterday, and said the track and its surrounds were highly impressive. "This place is going off. It's a gorgeous setting and the stands are low and long, so they won't get in the way of the backdrop."
The competition's official practice day is Friday, with qualifying scheduled for Saturday.
Feature and sprint races will provide the climax on Sunday, with a sellout crowd of 33,000 expected.
Tickets for general admission on Friday are priced from $20, with Sunday's best grandstand tickets costing up to $235.
The event attracts a huge international following, pitting 25 nations against each other to find the best motorsport teams and drivers.
Each car's technology and machinery is equalised to ensure performance comes down to risk, courage and skill.
Scores of shops throughout Taupo's CBD are embracing the event with special merchandising displays and chequered flags lining the streets.
