The four-round series starts in Timaru on Wednesday night.
Motorcycling New Zealand supercross co-commissioner Neil Ritchie said he was "thrilled" that world-class rider Ben Townley would contest the series as he completes his final preparations before returning to racing in the United States.
Townley will face challengers in the form of Columb (Suzuki), Mount Maunganui pair Cody Cooper (Suzuki) and Mason Phillips (Kawasaki), Hamilton's Jesse Wiki (Honda) and Christchurch's Justin McDonald (Honda).
The opening round is at a new venue, the Backflips Supercross Track near Timaru.
Townley, who is also helping advise the organisers of the series, has been impressed with the track.
"Ben visited the track a couple of months ago. . . He was certainly impressed with what he saw," Ritchie said.
Ritchie said gaining supercross skills was essential for New Zealand riders hoping to earn professional contracts overseas.
"Comparing supercross to motocross is like comparing one-day cricket with test cricket - very similar sports but, in supercross, everything is condensed and concentrated.
A rider has to be very precise and make no mistakes."
Other rounds are: Motueka (January 10), Tokoroa (January 16) and Manukau City (January 23).
