A spectacular first lap incident in Saturday’s Sprint Car feature race took two top drivers out of the front of the field for the all important WSNC series opener. Greg Pickerill tore both wings off his car after getting the car up on two wheels into turn one.

“The car just took off, then I was upside down before I knew it.” said the Hamilton driver.

Multiple New Zealand Champion Kerry Jones ended up under Pickerill’s car and both damaged cars were taken to the infield.

The race was restarted with the original grids standing minus places 2 and 4.

A dubious start from Western Springs lap record holder, and eventual race winner, Ricky Logan who failed to remain in his 6^th place on the restart grid saw him relegated two places into 3^rd on the corrected final results.

Another incident on lap three involving three cars ended with rookie Sprint Car driver Daniel Eggleton’s car upside down and on fire on the pit straight. The inferno was quickly brought under control during a red light race stoppage. Raymond Griffen and Mark Browne, who returns to speedway after a two year break, were both involved and both cars damaged in the accident.

A restarted and shortened race saw Allan Wakeling come from well down the start order to finish second to Logan and ahead of Hans Boere who makes a welcome return to the Western Springs podium after a injury enforced break.

Carl Wilson incurred a penalty and was relegated to 4^th place on corrected results.

Ossie Sokol, who made a last minute decision to race this season, finished fifth ahead of Tauranga’s Dean Brindle. Team Salter stand in, Kevin “The Stig” Hinchcliffe finished in front of current New Zealand Champion Jamie McDonald who was off the pace for once.

The top ten was completed by Ron Salter and Hamilton driver Tommy Rusher.

US driver Logan has filed a protest against the decision to relegate him two places. The protest will be heard by the committee later this week the delay is due to Head Steward Mal Parsons being in hospital.

The official results pending a protest hearing are:

  Place

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