For only the fifth time in 56 years of sedan-based dirt track competition, the Bay of Plenty is hosting the New Zealand Super Saloon Car Championship this weekend.

The national title – first contested in the summer of 1969-70 – is the premier event of the season at Mount Maunganui’s Baypark Speedway and has attracted an impressive 40-strong field from throughout New Zealand for a Friday-Saturday double-header.

The original Baypark venue (which closed in 1995) hosted the national title in 1981 and 1991, while the current facility was the scene of the 2006 and 2018 editions.

For Tauranga’s defending national champ Chris Cowling there is an opportunity to write another chapter of New Zealand speedway history.

“With back-to-back wins in 2023 and 2024, Cowling has the chance to become the first driver to win the Super Saloon crown in three consecutive years,” said a speedway spokesperson in a statement.

“And with his third victory in the NZ Saloon Car Championship at Dunedin in late January, Cowling will also be looking to be the first driver to win national titles in two classes in the same season.

“Cowling’s opposition is formidable, headed by 2020 champ and current 2NZ Sam Waddell of Tauranga and Christchurch racer Mark Osborne. Currently ranked 3NZ, Osborne powered to three titles in the space of four years between 2013-16.”

Other former national champions on the entry list include Napier’s Steve Flynn along with Tauranga’s Steve Cowling and Brent Emerson and Hawke’s Bay veteran Mick Quin.

Auckland racer Craig Cardwell has been in top form this season and recently won the South Island Super Saloon Car Championship at Blenheim.

The quality line-up also includes Aucklander Craig Cardwell – who recently claimed the South Island title on a trip to Blenheim – while leading South Island contenders include Nelson’s Ian Burson, Canterbury’s Richie Taylor, Kane Lawson and Hayden McKay and Cromwell racer Greig Johnston.

Auckland’s Ben Harding, Whitianga’s Bodie Abrahamson, Baypark’s Scott Hayward and Wellington’s Mark Pitcher can also be ranked among the leading contenders, and in total 11 different tracks are represented.

The ranks of the Super Saloon class have been further strengthened in recent years with new cars and an influx of new drivers, mainly racers switching from the Super Stock class. They include former NZ Super Stock champ Jason Long (Hawke’s Bay) and podium finishers Peter Bengston (Palmerston North), Mitch Vickery (Kihikihi) and Thomas Stanaway (Hawke’s Bay).

Another talented racer Super Stock driver making his mark in the Super Saloons is Rotorua’s Damian Orr, who recently gave his new car a promising debut at Baypark.

The format for the 40-car line-up comprises a 15-heat qualifying series (nine heats on Friday evening and six more on Saturday) leading to two repechages and the 25-lap championship final.

The bonus attraction for this weekend’s programme is the fourth annual Bay Piston Cup 30-lap Sprint Car feature which has been added to the Friday night schedule after being postponed in late January.

Friday night Sprint Car action sees Hamilton’s Dean Brindle looking to add another Bay Piston Cup to his impressive record.

The date change has unfortunately taken defending champ Michael Pickens out of the mix due to a clash with an Australian commitment, but the 20-strong field includes 2022 and 2023 winner Dean Brindle (Hamilton) along with former podium finishers Jonathan Allard (USA), Rodney Wood (Tauranga), and Daniel Thomas (Hamilton), and last year’s top qualifier Dean Cooper (Taupo).

The weekend programme also includes F2 Midgets on Saturday night while the Predator 6 Shooter Series has assembled a strong field including three South Island entries for races on both nights.

Racing starts at 6.30pm both nights.