World of Outlaws driver Craig Dollansky has started his off-season racing in dominant style with a convincing win in the $11,000 opening round of the Western Springs Speedway International season in Auckland last night. The 41 year old Minnesota native arrived in New Zealand on Friday for a five race meeting stint down-under during December.

“I love coming down here to New Zealand, the racing show at Western Springs is one of the best in the world, the Kiwis don’t give up out there on the track, said an impressed Dollansky, We’ve always got to work hard for a win down here.”

An engine miss-fire early in the night meant that the American had to work hard to qualify up front in the qualifying heat races. An inversion of the top 4 cars on the start grid put Dollansky on pole position for the feature and he never looked back.

“The motor was missing a little in the first heat race which made it hard to stay on the pace but the team sorted the problem and by feature time we were looking good.”

Reigning New Zealand Champion Jamie McDonald started well down the order in 7^th place for the feature race but fought through the field and was in third position by lap 7 of the 25 lap race. The young Aucklander battled Californian driver Jason Statler for 13 laps before finally getting by the experienced American on lap 20 and stayed in front to take 2^nd place. McDonald drove an outstanding race with smoke billowing out of the car on the last lap.

“We had a problem with the motor, one of the heads is damaged and oil was pouring into a cylinder causing all the smoke. It’s great to finish on the podium with these US guys.” said a relieved McDonald.

Statler is in New Zealand for the first time and made an impressive debut winning his second qualifying heat race and taking 3^rd place in a super competitive feature race on his maiden night at the historic Auckland speedway.

Tauranga’s Dean Brindle was on the pace all night winning the opening heat race and starting off the second row on the feature grid. Brindle battled another American entrant and regular visitor to New Zealand, Ricky Logan, who passed the kiwi on lap 9 only to lose the advantage again 6 laps later.

Logan kept the 5^th spot nearly 3 seconds ahead of veteran New Zealander Allan Wakeling who remained in 6^th after dropping down the order early on in the race. He was followed closely home by Western Springs regular Ossie Sokol.

Dollansky’s team mate from Salter Motorsport and multiple New Zealand champion, Kerry Jones finished in 8^th place after a difficult night. Carl Wilson lead Hamilton’s Greg Pickerill to complete the top ten in one of this season’s most exciting feature races.

The International Series battle continues with the $20,000 Sprint Car Classic at Western Springs on the 8^th December.

WESTERN SPRINGS SPRINT CAR 25 LAP FEATURE RACE

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