From Western Springs Speedway
California’s Jonathan Allard won the second round of the International Sprintcar Series and arguably one of the best Sprintcar features ever seen at Western Springs Speedway on Wednesday night (Dec. 30), while NZ’s own Michael Pickens won his third 30-Lap Midget World Derby in front of another big Holiday crowd at The Springs.
Allard wowed the crowd with one of the best passes ever seen at The Springs on Kiwi youngster Ryan O’Connor late in the 25 lap Sprintcar feature for his win, also maintaining the International Series lead after two rounds. O’Connor had worked his way to the front after initially dropping back to seventh not long after the start of what would become a quite amazing race. American star Sammy Swindell was an early casualty after running into the back of National Champ Dean Brindle off the start, eventually succumbing to a flat left front tyre. Another American, Ricky Logan also led early but also was a victim of a flat tyre, this time a left rear. O’Connor worked the bottom of a tough Western Springs surface, while Allard worked the top line though lapped traffic.
Brad Mosen led for the majority of the prestigious 41st 30-Lap World Midget Derby, chased initially by the likes of USAC star Jerry Coons Jnr, Michael Pickens, Kevin Swindell, Shane Alach, Lance Beale, and Shaun Insley. Swindell flipped out of the race on an unforgiving race track, while Alach was another casualty after a clash with Lance Beale. Mosen seemingly had control of the race, able to drive away from the rest at ease, until cruel luck robbed the Kiwi of just about certain victory when a rod end broke, breaking the rear suspension on the Big Ben Pies #13 Hawk Aggressor. Mosen’s race was over, but his bad luck was another Kiwi’s good luck as Michael Pickens had earlier passed Coons Jnr for what was then second place, but now the lead after Mosens demise. Pickens held on for his third World Derby victory ahead of Coons Jnr and former NZ Champ Shaun Insley.
Heading to Palmerston North and Wellington for rounds three and four of the International Sprintcar Series on Jan. 1 and 2, Jonathan Allard leads that points chase, while Jerry Coons Jnr leads the Samsung Midget World Series with two rounds left to go at The Springs on Jan. 2 and Jan. 6.
Chris Gwilliam won his first TQ feature of the season ahead of Track Championship points leader Ross Linklater, and another former NZ Champ Paul Le Cren. Linklater’s fifth consecutive podium for the 09/10 Ampro Tools season sees him extend his points lead.
Feature Results
TQ’s – (1) 98 Chris Gwilliam (2) 56 Ross Linklater (3) 14 Paul Le Cren
Midget 30 lap Derby – (1) 54 Michael Pickens (2) 3USA Jerry Coons Jnr (3) 77 Shaun Insley
Intl. Sprintcars Rnd 2 – (1) 0USA Jonathan Allard (2) 8 Ryan O’Connor (3) 1NZ Dean Brindle
Samsung Intl. Midget World Series Points (after 2 rounds)
(1) 3USA Jerry Coons Jnr – 68 points (2) 77 Shaun Insley – 48 points (3) Michael Pickens – 37 points (4) 17K Michael Brunt – 36 points (5) 13 Brad Mosen – 31 points) (6) 41AUS Brendan Palmer – 30 points
Intl. Sprintcar Series Points (after 2 rounds)
(1) 0USA Jonathan Allard – 74 points (2) 8 Ryan O’Connor – 57 points (3) 1NZ Dean Brindle – 45 points (4) 27 Alan Wakeling – 39 points (5) 56 Carl Wilson – 34 points (6) 7USA Sammy Swindell – 31 points)