Motorsport: Top Americans set for Tauranga sprints

Baypark Speedway is set to stage the biggest international speedway race ever seen in New Zealand.

At least 15 of the top drivers from the US-based World of Outlaws sprint car series will compete in a three-day meeting at the Mount Maunganui venue from January 27-29 for a $225,000 purse.

The event is expected to be New Zealand's third biggest motorsport fixture, after the Rally of New Zealand and the Pukekohe V8 Supercar events.

Baypark Speedway promoter Willie Kay returned from the United States last week with confirmation of the date and the first drivers for the race.

"There will be at least 15 top drivers from the World of Outlaws at Baypark and probably more.

"I've already signed up Steve Kinser, Danny Lasoski, Craig Dollansky, Joey Saldana and some others," Kay said.

"These guys are the fastest sprint car drivers in the world. They race about 100 times a year with 800bhp (brake horsepower) cars and it will be an amazing spectacle," Kay said.

Kay is making another trip to the United States next month to finalise further details.

"I've got a meeting with DIRT Motorsports (the sports promotion company which owns the World of Outlaws) at the Knoxville Nationals where I'm making a presentation to introduce the event and the Tauranga region to the teams," he said.

"At that meeting I should also be able confirm the details of the television coverage the event will receive in the US."

- BAY OF PLENTY TIMES