CHAMPIONS, LEGENDS, RISING STARS AND SOME OF THE BIGGEST NAMES IN NEW ZEALAND SPEEDWAY – ALL IN ONE PLACE, AND ALL HERE FOR YOU!
The Baypark Speedway FANZONE is shaping up to be something pretty special this season!
From current and former New Zealand champions to international competitors, seasoned veterans and the exciting young guns who represent the future of our sport, we’ve assembled an incredible lineup of drivers, teams and attractions from across the country.
Representing multiple speedway classes and codes, these are some of the biggest names in New Zealand motorsport, and they’ve all either committed or expressed their interest in being part of the Baypark FANZONE.
And the best part?
They’re not just bringing their cars – they’re coming to meet YOU!
Before the racing begins, you’ll have the opportunity to get up close and personal with your favourite drivers, grab photos, collect autographs, check out their incredible machinery and enjoy a conversation with the people who make this sport so exciting.
Here’s a taste of what’s coming your way throughout the 2026/27 season!
SATURDAY 24 OCTOBER – BAY OPENING EXTRAVAGANZA
A mixture of champions, established stars and the future of speedway!
Opening night sets the tone with a fantastic combination of youth and experience.
Former New Zealand Superstock Champion Todd Hemingway will be there alongside Superstock driver Stefan Roigard and Zack Sokol, who joins the lineup representing his new speedway home this season.
Two of our sport’s exciting young talents, Sally Hodgson and Jai Rowan, will also be on hand, giving fans a chance to meet some of the names we could be watching for many years to come.
Making the trip north from Ruapuna Speedway is Jay Chadwick, winner of last season’s BT Race for Mates, bringing another exciting addition to our opening-night lineup.
And for those who appreciate speedway history, Tony Hartigan will be bringing his vintage Stockcar along for a special display.
A brilliant mix of yesterday’s history, today’s champions and tomorrow’s stars!
SATURDAY 7 NOVEMBER – BAY FIREWORKS FEAT THE BILL BUCKLEY MIDGET CAR CLASSIC
Midgets, Sprintcars, an American visitor and a miniature racing machine!
With the Bill Buckley Midget Car Classic headlining the evening, it makes perfect sense that Midget Cars take centre stage in our FANZONE.
Local Tauranga talent Luke McClymont will join American superstar Ethan Mitchell and current 3NZ Ben Morrison.
Also joining the lineup is Auckland-based, Baypark-registered driver Brock Maskovich, accompanied by his young son Roczen, who will have his very own scaled-down version of Dad’s race car on display!
How cool is that?
Adding some winged horsepower to the FANZONE will be Sprintcar drivers Holly Williams and Keaton Dahm.
And there’s more! Our attractions will include the ever-popular Squarebush Cars and Lightning McKinnion & McQueen Drift Car, a popular display with kids 2 years ago, the last time the car was on display, bringing even more excitement to what promises to be a massive family night.
SATURDAY 28 NOVEMBER – SOUTH PACIFIC SUPER SALOON TITLE
Some of the country’s finest Super Saloon talent – including current and former national champions!
Super Saloon fans are in for a treat as the FANZONE welcomes a seriously impressive lineup.
Making their way from Meeanee Speedway are the Flynn brothers, Grant and Steve, while Sam Waddell returns to the racing scene this season.
Tauranga’s own Cowling family will be well represented, with current New Zealand Champion 1NZ Chris Cowling alongside former national champion Steve Cowling.
Rounding out this outstanding group is 42M Trent Amrein.
It’s not every day you get the opportunity to stand alongside this much championship-winning talent, admire the machinery up close and chat with the drivers before they head out to battle for another major title!
SATURDAY 5 DECEMBER – BATTLE OF THE BAY
Six F2 Midget Car drivers. Two regions. One fantastic FANZONE lineup!
With the Aotearoa F2 Midget Car Championship featuring on the programme, we’re bringing together six exciting competitors representing Auckland and Baypark Speedway.
Flying the Auckland flag will be current A1 F2 Champion Jimmy Earl, joined by Troy Jeffries and Reece Jeffries.
Representing Baypark will be young gun Regan Le Cheminant, Brad Curtain and Roydon White, who claimed victory in the final F2 feature of last season.
From championship winners to the next generation of talent, it’s another opportunity for fans to get close to the drivers and discover what makes F2 Midget racing such an exciting category.
SATURDAY 26 DECEMBER – BAY BOXING DAY BONANZA
Cars, crews, hot rods and a whole lot of family fun!
Boxing Day brings something a little different to the FANZONE, with a fantastic mixture of competitors and special attractions.
Fans will get the chance to meet the people who work tirelessly behind the scenes to keep our sport running safely – the Baypark Speedway Safety Crew!
They’ll be there with the fire truck and equipment, giving families a rare chance to get up close to the machinery and meet the team who play such an important role on race nights.
We’re also welcoming the East Bay Hot Rods, who will bring along some fantastic vehicles for fans to admire.
And joining the driver lineup is Jaymee Allsop, who will be showing off her new F2 Midget Car, alongside Harry Hodgson, Rhylie Clayton and Alex Wood.
It’s a FANZONE designed to offer something for everyone!
MONDAY 28 DECEMBER – HOKEY ASHBY MEMORIAL
Superstock royalty, championship-winning talent and a tribute to a special name in speedway.
The Hokey Ashby Memorial is always a significant occasion, and our FANZONE will bring together some outstanding names.
Of course, it wouldn’t be complete without Ross “Horse” Ashby, one of the names synonymous with this special event.
Joining him will be a collection of major competitors, including Scott Tennant, a three-time Teams Racing Champion, whose appearance we’re hoping to finalise.
We’re also looking forward to welcoming competitors from Ruapuna Speedway, including national champion 1NZ Aaron Hodgson and 45C Ben Morgan.
And adding a different flavour to the display will be 77M Ben Mathews, returning in his Sprintcar.
With names representing several different classes, this promises to be another outstanding FANZONE gathering.
JANUARY – BAY RUMBLE & BAY SUPER SUNDOWN
There’s still room for more!
Our FANZONE programme continues into January with the Bay Rumble on Saturday 16 January and Bay Super Sundown on Saturday 30 January.
Both events currently have spaces available, and we’d love to hear from more drivers and teams interested in being part of the experience.
The Bay Rumble already has Dylan Buckley involved, alongside a special vintage Stockcar attraction from 41S Tony Hartigan.
If you’re a competitor who would love the chance to connect with fans, promote your sponsors and show off your race car, these are two excellent opportunities to get involved.
SATURDAY 20 FEBRUARY – BAY PISTON CUP
HLR RACING TAKES OVER THE FANZONE!
This one is already FULL, and what a lineup it is!
The mighty HLR Racing team will bring its impressive collection of race cars to the FANZONE, including four Baypark-registered Sprintcars and a Midget Car.
Fans will get to see Hayden Williams and Brad Mosen reunited as teammates, but this time they’re swapping their familiar Midget Cars for the mighty winged warriors of Sprintcar racing!
Joining them will be Christian Hermansen and Ryan O’Connor, completing a formidable Sprintcar contingent.
And rounding out the HLR display is exciting young gun Kayden “The Bullet” Barker.
Fresh from racing in the United States during the off-season, the talented former TQ Midget sensation is making the move into Midget Cars and is certainly one to watch.
Five incredible machines, one of the sport’s most recognisable racing teams and a fantastic opportunity for fans to meet the people behind the helmets.
This FANZONE is already booked and locked!
5 & 6 MARCH – 56TH NEW ZEALAND SPRINTCAR CHAMPIONSHIP
COULD WE HAVE ONE OF THE GREATEST COLLECTIONS OF SPRINTCAR CHAMPIONS EVER ASSEMBLED IN THE BAYPARK FANZONE?
We’re certainly working on it!
With New Zealand’s premier Sprintcar championship returning to Baypark, plans are underway to bring together an extraordinary collection of past and present national champions.
We’re currently talking with several drivers, and if everything comes together, we could have four or five former New Zealand Sprintcar Champions on display, potentially joined by current champion 1NZ Daniel Thomas.
There are still confirmations to come, so fingers crossed!
But one huge name is already LOCKED AND LOADED!
None other than 54C Michael Pickens.
A fan favourite, one of the great names in New Zealand open-wheel racing and, importantly, the last driver to win the New Zealand Sprintcar Championship at Baypark Speedway!
Having Michael involved is a fantastic addition to what is already shaping up to be a very special championship weekend.
Keep watching this space, because there could be some exciting announcements still to come!
SATURDAY 27 APRIL – DEMO DER-BAY
THE MADNESS, THE MACHINES AND THE MAYHEM!
What better way to celebrate another huge season than with Demo Der-BAY?
This FANZONE will be all about the demolition derby cars, giving fans the opportunity to check out the machines and meet the drivers before they head into the arena for an evening of destruction!
We’re also planning to welcome back a D1NZ display, following its popularity with fans last season.
From purpose-built derby cars to the incredible machinery of drifting, it’s going to be a fitting way to round out our FANZONE programme.
BUT WAIT – THE FANZONE IS ABOUT MUCH MORE THAN JUST RACE CARS!
We want the FANZONE to be a place where everyone can experience the atmosphere, excitement and entertainment of speedway before the first green flag drops!
GREAT FOOD, GREAT PEOPLE AND A GREAT NIGHT OUT!
Our fantastic food vendors will be serving up something for every appetite.
From ice creams and hot dogs to delicious pulled pork, dumplings and plenty of other Kiwi favourites, there’ll be no shortage of options to keep the whole family happy.
THE MERCHANDISE HUT IS BACK!
Our merchandise hut will be ready to go with a fantastic selection of goodies, including lights, books, souvenirs, the latest driver merchandise and plenty of Baypark Speedway gear.
Whether you’re collecting something special or grabbing a souvenir from your night at the speedway, make sure you stop in for a look!
THE STADIUM LOUNGE – RELAX AND ENJOY THE ACTION!
Our fully licensed Stadium Lounge will also be open, offering comfortable seating and a great place to relax.
With two large screens showing the Bay Per View livestream LIVE throughout the night, you can enjoy the action while catching up with friends or taking a break with the family.
It’s another way to make the most of everything Baypark Speedway has to offer.
A PERSONAL THANK YOU TO OUR DRIVERS AND TEAMS
One thing that makes this FANZONE so special is the willingness of our competitors to give something back to the people who support them.
Every driver and team who has agreed to be involved, or expressed an interest in taking part, is doing so because they recognise how important our race fans are to this sport.
These are national champions, championship contenders, international competitors, legends of the sport and some of the brightest young talents coming through the ranks.
They’re bringing their race cars, their crews and their time so that you can meet them personally.
Not from behind a fence.
Not from the grandstands.
But face to face, where you can shake their hand, take a photo, get an autograph and have a conversation.
And that’s what the FANZONE is all about.
A massive thank you to every driver, team, sponsor and attraction that has come on board for the 2026/27 season.
NOW, ALL THE FANZONE NEEDS IS YOU!
So when you walk through the gates at Baypark Speedway, don’t rush straight to your seats! Take the time to explore the FANZONE, meet the incredible drivers and teams who have come along especially for you, get up close to their amazing race cars, grab a photo or autograph, and soak up everything that makes our sport so special.
After all, these drivers are the stars of the show, but it’s YOU, THE FANS, who bring it all to life!
THE BAYPARK FANZONE – IT’S WHERE THE FUN STARTS!
We still have some spaces available at selected events, so if you’re a driver or team who would like to get involved, we’d love to hear from you.
Email: macau@bayparkspeedway.co.nz
Visit: www.bayparkspeedway.co.nz
BAYPARK SPEEDWAY – THE PLACE FOR PACE!