Auckland driver Michael Pickens dominated the feature race in the opening round of the Wynns National Midget Championship series at Western Springs Speedway to take out the win on Saturday at the iconic Auckland track. A fast, drivey track at the opening meeting of the season on Saturday obviously suited the Auckland driver fresh off the plane from a winter season of racing in the USA.

A record number of New Zealand midget drivers spent time in the USA this winter and a Kiwi one-two finish in a USAC feature race for Pickens and Brad Mosen was a season highlight for both drivers and their American team owners.

The inaugural feature race of the season was started late due to serious crashes and red light delays in both TQ and Sprint Car features prior to the Midget feature. The 10.30pm curfew bringing the race to an early close after only 9 laps.

Scott Buckley finished second in Saturday’s shortened feature race and was another driver to race stateside where he won at Angell Park speedway in his first race on US soil.

Saturday’s podium was completed by a fast and furious drive by Shayne Alach who finished in third place. Alach stayed in NZ over the winter and, if last weekend’s drive was anything to go by, got fitter and faster. For a man who drove last in March, Alach showed his depth of talent at the first outing of the new season.

A surprise stand out drive from Shane Snookes in the qualifying heat races saw him start well in the feature and go on to finish fourth in front of Michael Kendall who still has work to do setting up his new car. Kendall bought the USA 2 car from team owner Hans Lein after last season’s Midget World series in February.

Another driver working hard to get to grips with a new car was sixth place finisher Mosen who has swapped his Kunz Bullet chassis for a locally built Aggressor car. Pushing hard to come from the back in his second qualifying heat race. Mosen slid into Shaun Insley at Pinetree bend ending both drivers heat race early. Mosen’s wheel ended up inside the cockpit of Insley’s car breaking his left hand in two places effectively scuttling Insley’s chances of a competitive feature race.

The staunch Auckland driver had his hand iced and bound by the track doctor Bruce Page and decided to start the feature race but retired after 4 laps struggling to steer the car and deal with the pain in his damaged left hand.

Tony Fabish finished in 7^th ahead of battling locals Lance Beale and Bryce Townsend. The top ten was completed by Bill Clarkson Jnr. Carl Worboys finished in front of Wayne Green and Dave Gick. Gavin Pearce picked up 9 series points for 14^th spot in his first race for a full season at Western Springs.

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