A 30-plus field of the fastest cars in dirt track racing will contest the 2025 Boss Powercoating North Island Sprint Car Championship at Mt Maunganui’s Baypark Speedway on Saturday, March 8.

The title has attracted 33 entries, setting the scene for an intense night of open wheel racing that builds from a series of six heat races and a last-chance repechage to select 22 starters for the 25-lap championship final.

The highlight of the strong entry list is the debut Baypark appearance of reigning New Zealand champion Joel Myers Jr, said a Baypark Speedway spokesperson in a statement.

The California teenager is making his third summer racing tour to New Zealand and last year he clinched the NZ title on a trip to Auckland’s Western Springs.

"Myers races for Te Anau-based Daniel Anderson Racing and the team has a dual chance of success this weekend with young Kiwi Max Guilford at the wheel of its other car.

"While Myers is the reigning NZ champ, Guilford has also been impressive this summer with a South Island title win at Cromwell and last weekend’s 50-lapper at Western Springs.

"Anderson’s team has been on a very successful run in recent months with Myers winning eight feature races this summer and Guilford posting four wins."

Hamilton’s Daniel Thomas has raced to three feature race victories at Baypark Speedway this summer. Photo/ Stuart Whitaker/The Write Angle

The best winning numbers among the North Island-based drivers belong to Hamilton’s Daniel Thomas and Auckland-based California racer Jonathan Allard with five wins each since the Labour weekend season opener, the spokesperson said.

The defending North Island champion is Aucklander Michael Pickens who has two feature wins this summer.

There are three more teams from the South Island scene chasing success at Baypark this weekend.

Nelson racer Connor Rangi recently won the Hydraulink War of the Wings Series while Christchurch racers Matthew Leversedge and Caleb Baughan will be leading contenders.

"The depth in the field is impressive and includes current 2NZ Dean Cooper (Taupo) and 3NZ Jamie Larsen (Kapiti) along with Baypark feature winners James and Keaton Dahm (Tokoroa), former NZ champions Dean Brindle (Hamilton) Jamie Duff (Christchurch), and Rodney Wood (Tauranga) plus two-time North Island champ Stephen Taylor (Wellington)."

Another driver making his Baypark debut is two-time NZ Modified champ Luke Brown (Auckland) who has switched to Sprint Cars this summer.

The meeting also features heavy metal action with 20 cars contesting the 2025 Bay of Plenty Super Stock Championship and the final appearance for the season of the Midget Cars with a 20-lap feature race.

Racing starts at 6.30pm.