Auckland racer Michael Pickens raced to victory at Baypark Speedway on Wednesday night in one of the few major Midget Car events he’d yet to win in his record-breaking career.
The third annual edition of the $5000-to-win Bay 51 Spectacular saw Pickens move his way to the lead by passing top qualifier Ben Morrison (Auckland) on lap seven after a series of early restarts.
His main threat came from visiting USA star Buddy Kofoid but Pickens’ well-controlled restarts and passing moves in the lapped traffic only gave the young Californian one opportunity to challenge for the lead, which Pickens was able to immediately counter.
“You have to be on your game against Buddy. He’s one of the best in the world,” said Pickens.
“We’ve struggled a bit at Baypark, and it’s not been one of my kindest tracks for whatever reason. So, it was great to get the win.
“Lapped traffic was our friend tonight. I think it worked in our favour, and being able to control the restarts worked out well.”
After taking three wins from five starts in the international events over the last 10 days, Pickens now heads to the week-long Chili Bowl Nationals indoor event in Tulsa, Oklahoma. He lines up in an entry of 300-plus drivers battling for a spot in a 2400-car main event on Saturday, January 13.
“It’s a totally different deal up there, but mentally, it’s nice to come off a win,” he said.
Pickens’ brother-in-law Brock Maskovich finished third after getting the upper hand in a mid-race duel with standout Tauranga rookie Luke McClymont. Young Auckland racer Jayedan Basalaj completed a strong night which saw him qualify fifth and race in the top six throughout to finish fifth ahead of Alec Insley (Auckland).
A crash-shortened Sprint Car feature race was won by Tokoroa’s James Dahm ahead of Taupo racer Dean Cooper and Ryan O’Connor (Auckland). Tauranga’s Rodney Wood held the lead in the early laps until he clipped the wall while running in lapped traffic and took a heavy tumble.
Rotorua’s Boyd Westbury remains the driver to beat in the 6 Shooter division. He was crowned BOP champion on his previous visit to Baypark in November and last night made a clean sweep of both heat races and the feature leading home Tauranga’s Josh McClymont.
The next meeting at Baypark Speedway on Saturday, January 13, is headlined by the North Island Midget Car Championship. The same evening will see Baypark’s leading Super Saloon Car racers – including defending champ Chris Cowling – contesting the New Zealand Championship at Cromwell.
