KEY POINTS:
Fans from throughout the country will flock to Taupo for this weekend's International Motocross event at the Digger McEwen Park.
The meeting has attracted a host of international stars, including New Zealand's Josh Coppins, who was fifth in the world championships this year, and current British motocross champion Bill Mackenzie.
When the event was last held two years ago, 12,000 fans watched New Zealand's best take on international stars including the 10-time world champion Stefan Everts.
"I'm really looking forward to it, it's been a while and I haven't raced at Taupo since 2006 when I won, and hopefully I can win there again," said Coppins.
"There's a good international field and there's a lot of talent in New Zealand as well, so I think the racing's going to be good.
"I struggled at the end of the world championship season this year and lost a bit of motivation. Having not won much this year, I'd like to win this one and finish the year off in style in front of the fans and family."
Coppins will be joined by other international competitors, including South African Gareth Swanapoel, American Mike Brown, Irishman Finbarr Kneafsey and world junior MX2 champion Matiss Karro, from Latvia.
Karro rode in three Grand Prix at the end of the season as a 15-year-old and became one of the youngest riders to earn points.
The overseas riders won't have it all their own way with plenty of Kiwis with international experience itching to have a go at the MX world series stars.
Daryl Hurly, Damien King and brother Darryll showed they're up to speed during the opening round of the New Zealand motocross championship in Rotorua at Labour Weekend.
"We did really well at the vet champs, winning every race," said the two-time world 500cc runner-up, Darryll King.
"At the New Zealand champs, I was one of only three riders who rode two classes and did really well.
"It's the big one this weekend and I'm going to ride in the vets class today and maybe the MX1 on Sunday if all goes well.
"My main focus, though, will be on the Subway Yamaha motocross team and getting the young riders up the front.
"I've also got about 60 junior riders to watch and evaluate for the world juniors next year to see who might make the New Zealand team."
Worth watching this weekend will be two-time women's motocross champion Katherine Prumm, who's on the comeback trail after a succession of injuries curtailed her attempt at winning three consecutive world titles.
Prumm decided to repair all her broken bits in New Zealand and had her first outing since leaving Europe in July, at Rotorua.
She took the women's class by storm with three wins from three and will want to crank it up another notch in Taupo.
"Rotorua went really well and I felt pretty good and everything went to plan," said Prumm.
"Obviously, I wanted to be in the men's class but I'm taking things a bit slower this time and waiting until I'm 100 per cent fit. So I'll just be racing the women again."
The Taupo Motorcycle Club will host the world's best at Digger McEwen Park on August 15-16 next year during the junior world motocross championship. This will be the first time the event has been held outside Europe.
A family of four can attend this weekend's racing and entertainment for as little as $60. A weekend pass for an adult is $25.
Racing starts at 10am today and tomorrow, with Coppins and the other international stars in action, from 9am.
