More than 600 riders will race over Tauranga BMX Club's track this weekend in pursuit of glory in the BMX New Zealand 2023 National Championships.

Tauranga last hosted the event in 2014, making it a big coup for the club this year, says president Gary Arnold.

'It's a big deal for Tauranga. It's the pinnacle event of BMX racing for the year and the event that everyone trains for every year…everyone's striving to get that number one plate.”

The event takes place at Tauranga BMX Club's Cambridge Rd base from today, March 17 through to Sunday, March 19 – and is set to be the event's biggest turnout since Covid-19 surfaced. The championships will see top riders from elite fields and amateur age groups – aged from eight to 50-plus – from across the nation compete.

Sixteen-year-old BMX'er Gabriel Roberts in action. Photo: Brydie Thompson.

Gary says Tauranga is a very strong club on the BMX front.

'We've had several NZ1 riders over the years. I'm looking forward to seeing everyone here and seeing our club members just doing their best and everyone achieving their personal goals.”

With Tauranga having rider members aged from three – that's Theo Withington who won't compete this weekend – through to oldest member Pete Roden, aged 64, who will get on the track.

Pete says: 'They wanted to give me a race shirt and they said: ‘What do you want on the back?” and somebody said: ‘Pensioner'. The audacity!” Aside from cheek and comradery, Pete's focus for this year's racing is 'to be the best I can be, but actually make an effort and enjoy being there”.

Gary gives special thanks to volunteers and sponsors who've been working hard to get the track race-ready for the weekend. Catch the action at Cambridge Park, 262 Cambridge Rd, Bethlehem.