Sprintcars set for Stampede

One of the biggest speedway events in recent North West history is set to take place in Karratha from March 19 to 21, attracting some of the biggest national and international names in the sport.

The inaugural City of Karratha Sprintcar Stampede is expected to be so big - up to 80 sprintcars are expected to take part - the Nickol Bay Speedway crew has been hard at work expanding pit boundaries and facilities to accommodate the event.

At stake is $20,000 in prize money on offer by the City, with a further $20,000 divided between all finalists.

Speedway president John Magerl said the event would be "massive" for the town and for speedway fans.

"For speedway and motor racing, this is the biggest event to be held in this town for probably 10 years," he said.

"These cars do up to 200km/h on the track going sideways, so there is going to be flips, rolls, wheelies - the whole works - just trying to win.

"It will be pretty huge, so I hope people will come down and support it."

The event will be divided into three days with heats and time trials on Thursday, heats and preliminary finals on Friday, and the main races on Saturday.

Magerl said it would be a memorable event for both spectators and drivers.

"Every heat we hope to have at least 10 cars - plus people who don't make qualifying, they're going to be racing for money to win the time trial," he said.

"There's going to be a big 30-lap feature on Saturday night as well as two other feature races.

"With the American racers and Australian champions that are coming, for our guys it will be probably the only time in their lives they will get to race with that calibre of car and that calibre of driver."

Magerl said the stampede could potentially bring a lot of money to town and become an annual event if all goes as planned.