THE SMOKESHOW HEADS INSIDE, AGAIN!

The Tauranga-based third round of the current D1NZ season will see a shift from the car park adjacent to Baypark Stadium — traditionally known as ‘the concrete jungle’ as a result of the concrete barriers chucked up to form the track, which have claimed a fair few cars over the years — to inside the stadium itself. Yep, that’s right, just like in Dunedin last year, the 17,000-plus capacity stadium is set to transform into a purpose-built drift circuit over February 24–25, and it will encompass 5000 square metres of concrete laid atop the grass infield. D1NZ Manager Brendon White said that the current global trend is for these kinds of events to move towards stadiums to cater to larger crowds, and the change will give fans the closest possible experience. “This is another New Zealand first, and to grow the sport with our long-term plans, it made more sense to make the move this year rather than the following season,” Brendon said. “The existing infrastructure at Baypark means we can focus 100 per cent on putting on an amazing show for fans, sponsors, and the drivers due to what this track layout will offer.” Unsurprisingly Cole Armstrong, a Tauranga native and winner at Dunedin’s Forsyth Barr Stadium, is pumped that his hometown will receive a stadium event. “We’ve had it three years here, and to step it up, and to create something awesome like Nitro Circus — it’s next level,” he said. We welcome the inclusion of stadium-based events with open arms, as long as the tracks that helped build the series also remain a staple on the calendar.