December Saturday 1 Sprintcars: Midgets: TQs Wednesday 26 Midget World Series 25 Lap International Feature plus Sprintcars: TQs Saturday 29 Midget World Series World 30 Lap Midget Derby plus Sprintcars: TQs
January Tuesday 1 40 Lap Midget King of Kings: Sprintcars: TQs Thursday 3 World Midget 50 Lapper: Sprintcars: TQs Saturday 5 New Zealand Sprintcar Championship plus Midgets: TQs
February Saturday 2 New Zealand TQ Championship plus North Island Midget Championship Saturday 9 Barry Butterworth Midget Feature plus Sprintcars TQs Saturday 23 Auckland Championship for Sprintcars, Midgets, TQs
March Saturday 2 Western Springs Championship Series Final: Sprintcars: Midgets: TQs
- The above race dates are proposed. Feedback is welcome.
- New Zealand Sprintcar Championship Saturday 5th January confirmed.
- New Zealand TQ Championship Saturday 2nd February confirmed.
- North Island Midget Championship (Saturday 2nd February) Subject to SNZ approval.
- Race dates are also subject to Auckland Council approval.
- All dates and events are subject to change. Check back regularly for updates, always check date and draft number.
- Springs Promotions encourages out of town drivers to attend both practices in October.
- The October practices are also a great opportunity for prospective new drivers to race on the track.
- Practices start 12.00 midday and concludes 5.00pm.
- Sign-up for TQs Tuesday 4th September at the Stadium: 7.00pm, or online through SNZ.
- Sign-up for Midgets Thursday 6th September at the Stadium: 7.00pm, or online through SNZ.
- Sign-up for Sprintcars online through SNZ.
- Western Springs Staff meeting Wednesday 5th September at the Stadium: 7.00pm
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Pickens takes the 50 Lapper
Current New Zealand Midget Champion Michael Pickens has taken out the biggest race on the calendar at Western Springs Speedway, the World 50 Lapper, after a hard fought battle with American's Bryan Clauson, who finished second, with fellow American Kyle Larson taking out third place.
In a format only seen for the 50 at Western Springs, qualifying was by time trials rather than the usual heat race system. Clauson took out pole position, lowering the lap record by a healthy margin in the process. In fact, Clauson was one of five drivers to go under the current lap record, with Pickens, who qualified sixth, missing out on being under the milestone by a mere 0.001 of a second.
After a hard fought Semi-main, B-dash and A-dash, the grid was formed with Larson on Pole and Pickens outside of him, while Brad Mosen and Bryan Clauson shared row two, Chris McCutcheon and Kevin Swindell on row three and Jerry Coons Jr lined up alongside Stratford's Duane Hickman to complete four rows of NZ v USA action.
After the four wide salute was matched by a Mexican wave from the strong crowd at the Springs, Pickens got the best start and went straight past Larson to the bottom of the track in the lead, a position he would never relinquish, and built a small margin as Clauson and Larson battled over position through several re-starts.
It wasn't until Larson made a mistake that Clauson was able to move away from him and mount his attack on Pickens, which was very evident after another re-start caused by a Scott Buckley spin, however when the field again went yellow with 12 to go, it seemed to signal the end of Clauson's attack as Pickens held a small but concrete margin, the result sweet consolation from last year when Pickens was involved in a dead heat with Jerry Coons Jr. to the thousandth of a second after 50 laps.
The TQ's, running qualifying for a feature that will run next meeting, saw some particularly bruising racing with several big roll-overs, although all drivers were ok. Heat winners were Dylan McGregor, Sean Cooke, Ryan Barry and Scott Baker.
In the sprint cars, Jamie McDonald started outside American Jonathan Allard, but the Kiwi made the best start and drove away from the American for the first five laps, then the gap began to close before Allard made a bold pass for the lead on lap eight. McDonald then struggled, battling the frustration of losing the lead before hitting the wall. Although he was able to continue, heavy damage was done and he fell back through the field.
Allard carried on to take victory, his third in a row, ahead of fellow American Ricky Logan, with Dean Brindle the best of the Kiwi's in third place.
The next meeting sees the 30-lap World derby running tomorrow (Saturday) night.
50 lapper 1. Michael Pickens 2. Bryan Clauson 3. Kyle Larsen 4. Brad Mosen 5. Nathan Smee 6. Hayden Williams 7. Shaun Insley 8. Troy Jenkins 9. Michael Kendall 10. Brock Maskovich 11. Carl Worboys 12. Dave Gick 13. Dave Kerr 14. Jarred Wade 15. Alistair Wootten DNF: Peter Hunnibell, Duane Hickman, Scott Buckley, Michael Brunt, Kevin Swindell, Chris McCutcheon, Jerry Coons Jr., Nevil Basalaj, Shane O'Conner.
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Clauson takes out King of the Springs
American Bryan Clauson has taken out the second round of the Crowne Plaza International Midget series, the 40-lap King of the Springs, after a gruelling battle with Kiwi Michael Pickens at Western Springs Speedway last night.
Clauson, 22, started the feature race on the outside of the front row but knew that to give himself the best chance, he had to get to turn one first on a circuit that proved difficult to overtake on. He did so, beating fellow young American Kyle Larson, who qualified on pole position, to turn one. Current New Zealand champion Pickens also got past Larson and he and Clauson entered into a battle that would go the duration of the race.
Larson spun on lap three, sending him to the rear of the field and promoting Australian Nathan Smee, to the final podium spot, although Smee was unable to match the pace of the leading duo. Larson eventually recovered from the back of the 20-car field up to sixth position.
So when the chequered flag flew, Clauson took the win ahead of Pickens with Smee rounding out a second consecutive podium represented by three nationalities. Kiwi's Brad Mosen and Scott Buckley were fourth and fifth respectively ahead of Larson.
However the equally big news was who wasn't in the feature when defending International Series champion Jerry Coons Jr. suffered mechanical problems all night and did not qualify for the main feature race.
The TQ Midget racing was, as always, incredibly close fought but in the end it was Jared Taylor who took his second feature win of the season after a torrid run of luck. He did well to fight off a late race charge from Shane Phillips, who perhaps may have got by on a different track surface. Steve Smith continued his consistent run with a third place.
Sprint car racing was the domain of Jonathan Allard, who adapted well to the tricky conditions and claimed a dominant victory. Behind him was where all the action was, with Ricky Logan holding down what seemed to be a rather comfortable second place, only to make a mistake that allowed Australian Peter Murphy through, then Logan was pipped in a drag race to the line by Ryan O'Connor for the final spot on the podium.
Western Springs Speedway Ja. 1, 2012 King of the Sprints Midget Feature (40 laps) 1. Bryan Clauson 2. Michael Pickens 3. Nathan Smee 4. Scott Buckley 5. Brad Mosen 6. Kyle Larsen 7. Brock Maskovich 8. Michael Brunt 9. Jarred Wade 10. Duane Hickman 11. Carl Worboys 12. Alistair Wootten 13. Michael Kendall 14. Shaun Insley DNF: Nick Donalson, Shane O'Conner, Nevil Basalaj, Alvin Cobb, Kevin Swindell. DQ: Dave Kerr
410 sprint cars (20 laps) 1. Jonathan Allard 2. Peter Murphy 3. Ryan O'Connor 4. Ricky Logan 5. Dean Brindle 6. Daniel Rogers 7. Greg Pickerill 8. Brad Tyrell 9. Glenn Torpey 10. Jamie McDonald 11. Jamie Duff 12. Ron Salter 13. Raymond Griffen DNF: Daniel Eggleton, Karen Forsey. DNS: Paul Donovan.
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Rain stops Round 2 of International Midget World Series
Unfortunately we have had to cancel the meeting on December 31st due to the weather.
The next meeting will be the 40 Lap King of the Springs meeting on January 2nd.
The 30 Lap World Derby will now run on January 7th.
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Larson takes opening round of International midget series
American Kyle Larson has taken victory in the opening round of the Crowne Plaza International Midget series, held on boxing night at Western Springs Speedway. Larson held out New Zealand's Michael Pickens and Australian Nathan Smee who rounded out a truly international podium.
At just 19 years of age, Larson was making his debut in New Zealand and at the central Auckland track and after his heat races, had qualified seventh for the 25-lap feature race, although he quickly moved forward and by half distance had engaged in a battle royale with current national midget champion Pickens, the pair swapping the lead on just about every corner. It wasn't until a mistake from Pickens with five laps remaining that Larson was able to make any sort of a margin and he headed home the Kiwi and Australia's Smee while defending International midget series champion Jerry Coons Jr. finished fourth.
Boxing night also played host to round two of the Porter Group/Hydraulink International Sprint Car series and after a brief stint in the front for Sprint Car legend Sammy Swindell, current New Zealand Champion but also an American resident, Jonathan Allard moved into the lead and never looked back. One of the drives of the race came from 16-year old Kiwi Daniel Rogers who moved past Swindell for second late in the race, although he got caught up in lapped traffic and was passed by former NZ champion Dean Brindle, who came home second, while Swindell got past Rogers in a drag race to the line to take the final step on the podium, with American Ricky Logan rounding out the top five.
After a bruising night of TQ Midget racing, Scott Baker took his second feature win of the season, comfortably ahead of second placed Shaun Cooke and current NZ champion Craig Todd.
The action resumes at Western Springs Speedway on December 31st with the World 30-lap Derby.
Midget Results 1. Kyle Larson USA 2. Michael Pickens NZ 3. Nathan Smee AUS
Sprint Car Results 1. Jonathan Allard USA 2. Dean Brindle NZ 3. Sammy Swindell USA
Midget World Series Entry list 1NZ Michael Pickens 1USA Kevin Swindell 2NZ Chris McCutcheon 3USA Jerry Coons Jr 4A Dave Gick 5A Brock Maskovich 5H Alvin Cobb 7AUS Nathan Smee 8H Peter Hunnibell 9A Michael Brunt 10A Wayne Green 14H Simon Wi 17A Alistair Wootten 19A Mark Mullins 21A Carl Worboys 24C Nick Donalson 24H Patrick Timmons 25A Scott Buckley 27A Hayden Wiliams 39USA Bryan Clausen 41H Ricky McGough 42S Greg Jones 48A Gavin Elbers 67A Harley Taylor 73N Nevil Basalaj 76A Dylan Wade 77A Shaun Insley 78AUS Troy Jenkins 78A Shannon Taylor 81A Michael Kendall 85A Jared Wade 88A Brad Mosen 91A Shane O'Connor 95S Duane Hickman 97A Shayne Alach 98C Dave Kerr 99A Darren Warren 99USA Kyle Larsen
Confirmed entry list for the 2nd Round of the International Sprintcar Series 1NZ Jonathan Allard 1USA Sammy Swindell 4A Glenn Torpey 5A Daniel Rogers 6P Nelson Hartley 7A Dion Kendall 8A Ryan O'Connor 10A Ricky Logan 11A Raymond Griffen 11USA Peter Murphy 18A Greg Pickerill 19A Jamie Duff 22A Dean Brindle 38A Karen Forsey 56A Carl Wilson 71A Jamie McDonald 78A Daniel Eggleton
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International Midget Series USA Entrant Nominated for Prestigious Award
One of the up and coming stars of the Sprint Car and midget scene in the USA, Kyle Larson, who will tour Western Springs this summer, has been named in the final seven for the prestigious Mario Andretti Trophy.
The Mario Andretti Trophy is judged by a panel of former drivers and broadcasters, with judges looking for drivers, on both two wheels and four, who put a premium on winning races and shining on the world's biggest stages, all the while showing a great deal of class and sportsmanship.
Larson, at just 19 years of age, became the first driver in history to take victories in a World of Outlaw race, an ASCS national race as well as victories in all three USAC divisions (Midget, Silver Crown and Sprint Car classes).
In the final run for the title, Larson will face competition from some of Motorsports biggest names: Ryan Villopotto (Motocross), Dario Franchitti (Indycar), Scott Pruett (Grand-Am), Tony Stewart (NASCAR), Casey Stoner (MotoGP) as well as two-time Formula one world champion and reigning holder of the Mario Andretti Trophy, Sebastien Vettel. The winner will receive a 100 pound bronze sculpture .
The Elk Grove, California resident will drive the Spike chassis seen at Western Springs last year in the hands of Shayne Alach, but with a different engine in it, with his first meeting on boxing night.
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Palmerston North Hosts Second 2012 Knoxville World Challenge Qualifier This Saturday
KNOXVILLE, IOWA (November 30, 2011) - The Robertson Holden International Speedway in Palmerston North, New Zealand, will host the second 2012 Knoxville World Challenge international qualifier this Saturday, December 3. It is expected that Americans Sammy Swindell of Tennessee, Ricky Logan of Arkansas, and Jonathan Allard of California will all be in attendance.
Last weekend, at the Western Springs Speedway in Auckland, those three ‘Yanks’ plus race winner Donny Schatz all qualified for the $10,000-to-win Knoxville World Challenge to be held on Friday, August 10, during the 52nd annual Goodyear Knoxville Nationals at the Knoxville Raceway in Iowa. In addition, Australian Peter Murphy and New Zealanders Ryan O’Connor, Jamie McDonald, Dean Brindle, Colin Entwistle and many others also made themselves eligible for the mid-August classic.
For more information on the Knoxville Raceway and its nineteenth annual Knoxville World Challenge, fans are urged to visit www.knoxvilleraceway.com.
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Western Springs Speedway Nov. 26 410 sprint cars feature (30 laps) 1. Donny Schatz 2. Jonathan Allard 3. Peter Murphy 4. Sammy Swindell 5. Ryan O'Connor 6. Jamie McDonald 7. Dean Brindle 8. Jamie Duff 9. Nelson Hartley 10. Karen Forsey 11. Daniel Rogers 12. Glenn Torpey 13. Daniel Eggleton 14. Brad Tyrell 15. Colin Entwistle DNF: Raymond Griffen , Kerry Bartlett, Ricky Logan, Jason Scott, Rodney Wood
Midget feature (25 laps) 1. Chris McCutcheon 2. Scott Buckley 3. Michael Pickens 4. Dave Gick 5. Michael Brunt 6. Dave Kerr 7. Darren Warren 8. Mark Mullins 9. Wayne Green 10. Leighton Kendall 11. Ricky McGough 12. Jarred Wade 13. Alistair Wootten 14. Hayden Williams 15. Shannon Taylor DNF: Carl Worboys, Brad Mosen, Shane O'Conner, Duane Hickman, Shaun Insley
Western Springs Speedway Sprintcar Classic Entries
Western Springs, Palmerston North & Warrnambool set Dates for Their 2012 Knoxville World Challenge International Qualifiers
KNOXVILLE, IOWA (October 14, 2011) - The Western Springs Speedway in Auckland, New Zealand, the Robertson Holden International Speedway in Palmerston North, New Zealand, and the Premier Speedway in Warrnambool, Victoria, Australia, have all set the dates of their international qualifiers for the 2012 Knoxville World Challenge, to be held Friday, August 10, at the Knoxville Raceway.
The first international qualifier will be held on Saturday, November 26, at the Western Springs Speedway in suburban Auckland, New Zealand. Five-time Knoxville Nationals champion Donny Schatz has already confirmed that he will be in the field for the World Sprintcar Classic at Western Springs.
The Robertson Holden International Speedway in Palmerston North, New Zealand, will host the second qualifier on Saturday, December 3. National Sprint Car Hall of Fame inductee Sammy Swindell will be in attendance for the International Sprintcars World Challenge Qualifying Round, as will Ricky Logan and Jonathan Allard.
The final international qualifier will take place on January 21-22, 2012, as the Premier Speedway in Warrnambool, Victoria, Australia, hosts the 40th annual Grand Annual Sprintcar Classic, which will pay a whopping $40,000 to the winner. Combined with the $6,000-to-win preliminary night Australia/America Challenge Cup, presented by Oval Express, a large contingent of Americans are expected to converge on this popular seaside city for Australia's version of the Knoxville Nationals.
Knoxville director of marketing Brian Stickel said today, "Our objective in hosting the Knoxville World Challenge during the Goodyear Knoxville Nationals has always been to increase the interchange between sprint car fans and teams in the United States with those in Canada, Australia and New Zealand. We strongly encourage our loyal fans to go 'Down Under' and see some great sprint car racing during our winter season. In a similar fashion, we absolutely welcome fans and teams from those countries to make plans to visit Iowa on August 2-11, 2012, to witness some of the most competitive winged and non-winged sprint car racing on the planet."
For more information on the Knoxville Raceway and its nineteenth annual Knoxville World Challenge during the 52nd Goodyear Knoxville Nationals, fans are urged to visit www.knoxvilleraceway.com
For news on the three international qualifiers, they can visit:
Western Springs Speedway - http://springsspeedway.com/
Robertson Holden International Speedway - http://www.pnspeedway.co.nz/
Premier Speedway - http://www.premierspeedway.com.au/
