Another Kiwi oval track and another shot at the big Kiwi title. Can current 1NZ Joel Myers Jr go back-to-back?
That’s the challenge facing teenage California Sprint Car talent Joel Myers Jnr this weekend in the Waipa township of Kihikihi.
The Kihikihi Speedway Club is hosting the New Zealand Sprint Car title for the first time, a headline of its 70th anniversary season celebrations and a new battlefield to decide the top honour for the fastest cars in dirt oval racing.
Myers, 18, from Sebastopol, California, is the defending champion, having clinched the national title last summer at Western Springs. His recent form makes him a strong favourite, having powered him to an NZ Grand Prix win at Western Springs and North Island title success at Baypark Speedway in recent weeks.
The 54th running of the National Sprint Car title has attracted a 36-strong field of 900hp winged open-wheelers for a two-night format.
While Kiwi Sprint Car racing was long dominated by Kerry Jones (Waiuku) and Allan Wakeling (Henderson), who each won eight titles over 19 years, the modern era boasts stronger car counts and the depth of competition has widened into the regions and produced international winners.
This weekend, former New Zealand Sprint Car champions include Michael Pickens (Auckland), Jamie Duff (Christchurch), Rodney Wood (Tauranga), Kapiti racer Jamie Larsen, Hamilton’s Daniel Thomas and Dean Brindle, and Auckland-based California racer Jonathan Allard.
Taupo’s Dean Cooper was runner-up last season, and Tokoroa brothers James and Keaton Dahm provide further examples of the spread of talent around the country.
The South Island representation is robust this year. It is headed by Myers and teammate Max Guilford, who race for the Te Anau-based Daniel Anderson Racing team. With Guilford claiming the South Island title earlier in the season, the DAR squad is positioned for a Grand Slam of the Speedway NZ-sanctioned titles this summer.
Nelson-based Connor Rangi, who recently won his second Hydraulink War of the Wings crown, will be a strong contender, while Canterbury racers Matthew Leversedge and Caleb Baughan have been preparing for the national title with North Island campaigns in recent weeks.
They’ll be joined by Dyllan Forsey, Steve Duff Jr, and Matt Honeywell to make an eight-car South Island challenge – or nine, depending on how former champ Jamie Duff is considered as he’s racing the Auckland-contracted car fielded by former NZ champ Jamie McDonald.
Racing starts at 4.30 pm on Friday, with the first three rounds of 12-lap heats delivering nine races. The racing resumes Saturday afternoon with two more rounds of heats (six races). Once the qualifying process is complete, the top 16 drivers transfer to the Championship race.
The B-Main’s finish order will decide the last four places on the 20-car grid for the 30-lap final.
The New Zealand title will be live-streamed on both nights, with details on the McDonald’s Kihikihi Speedway website and Facebook page.
Header Image: James Selwyn Photos
Words by Colin Smith
