The biggest field in Oreti Park history will battle it out at the Burt Munro Challenge Speedway Spectacular later this month.

Publicity officer Janene Stenning said the 85-strong field confirmed for the November 28 event hailed from throughout New Zealand and featured the countries leading combinations.

“It's certainly going to be an action-packed event with phenomenal racing,” she said.

“The Burt Munro Challenge just gets bigger and better every year. This is the biggest field of sidecars seen here since the club was resurrected in 1998 – it's fantastic.”

Confirmation the Oreti Park circuit would host the New Zealand Sidecar Championships on  February 12-13 next year bolstered entries.

“The Burt Munro is a great opportunity to showcase our sport but it also provides riders with the chance to rack up some experience on the track leading up to the quest for national titles,” Stenning said.

The 2NZ combination of Russell Stuart and swinger Andy Parker, of Hastings, head into the event as firm favourites but will be forced to contend with some potent challenges in the 24-strong field.

Defending champions Shaun Kerr and Robin Poole, of Invercargill, are definite contenders but have been plagued by mechanical woes recently, while Fraser Gillespie and David Uitentuis, also Oreti members, whom have been untouchable so far this season, will be looking to add the Burt Munro Trophy to their collection.

Auckland's Noel McNamara and Glen Bagshaw will attempt to reclaim the title they won at the event in 2007, while current Southland champion Jason Harpur, with new swinger Mark George on board, will have home track advantage.

“With 85 competitors and 58 races scheduled, spectators are guaranteed a night of thrills and probably a few spills as well,” Stenning said.

“And we're not just `flush' with talent on the track. On a lighter note, we're unveiling our new flush toilets – thanks to funding from the ILT Foundation.”

In the solo ranks, Oreti's Grant Tregoning and Andy Aldridge, of Christchurch, return to the local scene after a stint racing professionally in Europe, 3NZ Larry Ross, of Christchurch, features alongside son John, while seasoned Invercargill competitors Alex Cunningham, James Miller, Paul Hayes and John Tuffley will relish performing on home turf.

Emerging Oreti stars Jack Macrae and Jake Gillespie have to sit this meeting out.  The pair are part of a six-strong New Zealand contingent selected to travel to Australia and receive expert coaching from US legend Leigh Adams - a rider who has excelled in the international arena on the same weekend as the Burt Munro.