American stars Jerry Coons Jnr and Jonathan Allard won the opening rounds of the Samsung International Midget World Series and the International Sprintcar Series respectively, at Western Springs Speedway on Boxing night in front of a massive Holiday crowd. It was certainly one of the biggest crowds seen at The Springs for many years, with lots of action and incidents to keep the eager fans entertained.

Reigning Australian Midget Champion Kevin Swindell was the top qualifier for the World Select group from the Midget qualifying heats, while Kiwi Scott Buckley topped the Western Springs Qualifying group. Swindell decided to start from the inside row as the overall top qualifier, with the World Group making up the inside grids in qualifying order, while the Western Springs group lined up on the outside row, also in qualifying order from the heats. Earlier on in the night, the four heats were won by Buckley, Swindell, Michael Pickens, and USAC Triple Crown winner Jerry Coons Jnr. With three feature wins already this season at The Springs, Pickens would start from grid ten in the feature, after struggling in his first heat with a ninth place finish.

Buckley went into the early lead of the 25 lap feature chased by Swindell, Coons Jnr, and Brad Mosen. Coons Jnr worked his way to the front with a couple of great passes, and was then never headed for the balance of the race. The Wendys #3USA Spike Esslinger was working anywhere on the racetrack, and Coons Jnr was simply too good for the rest on the night. Pre series favourite Pickens was an early retirement, making contact with the main straight fence after something broke on the #54 GVI Breka.

Swindell and Mosen traded slide jobs in a furious battle for second place as Coons controlled the pace out front. Swindell moved into second, but was struggling with a down on power Hawk engine. The Graham team had been chasing some issues right throughout the night with the #1 Australia Spike. National Champ Shane Alach was on a charge into fourth, but retired to the infield soon after, with a lump of clay turning the fuel tap off on the #11 Parker Store Spike! Mosen then got by Swindell on the final lap for second, but out front Coons Jnr took the chequered flag and the victory. Behind Coons, Mosen and Swindell, Shaun Insley finished fourth, followed by Scott Hatton, Lance Beale, Michael Kendall, Michael Brunt, and Dave Gick making up the top ten.

California’s Jonathan Allard came back to The Springs on a mission for the opening round of the International Sprintcar Series, after being excluded for noise at the Sprintcar Classic earlier in the season. Three - time World of Outlaws Champion and Sprintcar Legend Sammy Swindell however would prove to be the man to beat after some stunning heat race action. Swindell set a 12.0 second lap in his first heat win, setting one of the fastest laps seen at Western Springs in a Sprintcar for two seasons. The other heat wins went to Jamie McDonald, Allard, and former NZ TQ Champ Ryan O’Connor.

Swindell moved to the front early on in the feature, chased initially by Allard McDonald, and O’Connor. In just four laps the American was into lapped traffic, closely pursued by Allard. O’Connor got around McDonald, and was right with Allard in lapped traffic. Swindell looked more than comfortable out front, but then a late race restart gave Allard the opportunity he needed, moving by Swindell on the inside in more lapped traffic. Allard was right on the edge, but knew he had to make some big passes to try and keep ahead of the Salter Cartage #7USA Maxim. Allard took a hard fought win ahead of Swindell and O’Connor, with Alan Wakeling fourth, followed by NZ Champ Dean Brindle, and 3NZ Greg Pickerill.

Ross Linklater won his second TQ feature of the season, ahead of Lawrence Baker, and Brock Maskovich. Linklater also takes over the points lead for the Track Championship, with previous joint point’s leader Shane O’Connor crashing out spectacularly in a triple TQ flip which also involved Harris team mates Gina Harris and Shaun Cooke.

The next meeting at Western Springs on Wednesday night December 30, features round two of the Samsung International Midget World Series, and the International Sprintcar Series.

You can also listen to the full race commentaries of the Midget and Sprintcar Features at The Dirt Track Channel | dirt track racing audio webcast, dirt track racing videos, dirt track news. All dirt, all the time!
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TQ Feature - (1) 56 Ross Linklater, (2) 15 Lawrence Baker, (3) 3NZ Brock Maskovich
Samsung 25 Lap Midget Feature - (1) 3USA Jerry Coons Jnr, (2) 13 Brad Mosen, (3) 1AUS Kevin Swindell
Intl. Sprintcar Feature - (1) 0USA Jonathan Allard, (2) 7USA Sammy Swindell, (3) 8 Ryan O'Connor

Night 2 thanks to kiwi

Feature lining up now. Coons and mosen front row. Mp and swindell line up 7 and 8.

Palmer out of 15

Yellow lap 12. Mosen to coons to mp to alach to swindell to insley. Palmer 9.

Yellow, about 20 laps in. Mosen to mp to coons swindell...

Swindell in a rut and up and over. A few times too. Mosen to mp to coons to insley. Palmer 7. Nine laps to go.

All over. Mp to coons to insley. Palmer 5 or 6. Mosen broke while leading with a few laps to go.

Thanks kiwi! You're a legend!

Thanks Donna and Kiwi !!! Maryborough next !! Awesome happy New Year !

Yep, we're heading that way tomorrow!

Ps on my phone and didn't realise wobbs was updating too! We have kiwi stutter!! Ha cheers d

Check the dirt track again for the audio of the latest feature race.

Pickens Back On Track

Friday, 1 January 2010
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After a disappointing opening night Samsung International Midget World Series DNF, Michael Pickens bounced back with vengeance, winning his third 30-Lap Midget World Derby at Western Springs Speedway on Wednesday night (Dec. 30).

Pickens and the Don Kay owned #54 GVI / Nichibo Esslinger Breka team had already won the first three features at The Springs, and were certainly one of the favourites for the World Series crown for the 09/10 season. However, Michael’s first night ended when a bolt broke on the steering arm of the #54 Breka, soon after the start of the feature. With no steering, Pickens made contact with the main straight fence, ending his chances of victory for the opening round of the series.

Earlier on in the night, Michael had struggled in the opening qualifying heat race. ”It was just one of those races that you get occasionally. We had to get one sooner or later! I started from near the back and everywhere I went to pass someone, there were already cars there”, explained Michael. However Pickens won his second heat after an exciting battle with Springs rival Brad Mosen. Pickens would start from grid ten for the feature. “It was a shame because we had a great car, and I felt we could have won it, even from grid ten”. Jerry Coons Jnr won the 25-Lap feature from Mosen, and Kevin Swindell.

The team arrived ready to do battle for night two, wanting to make up for a costly DNF on the first night. Pickens finished seventh in his first heat from the back, and then won his second to put him off grid seven for the World Derby.

Brad Mosen jumped out to the early lead, chased by Jerry Coons Jnr, Hayden Williams, and Kevin Swindell, while Michael patiently worked his way forward on a tough racetrack affected by overnight rain. Late in the race, Pickens got by Coons Jnr for second place, just as Mosen retired out of the lead with broken rear suspension. Pickens held on for his third World Derby victory, from Coons and Shaun Insley, adding his name again to the prestigious race that has been also won by the likes of USAC greats Bob Tattersall, Sleepy Tripp, Mel Kenyon, Larry Rice, and Dave Darland. “I feel bad for Brad as he had a great car, and I know how he feels after our problems on night one. We’ll certainly take the win, and aim to also win the next two as well!”

Michael’s win boosts him to third in the IMWS point’s standings, behind Coons and Insley heading into round three on Saturday night (Jan. 2), featuring the 40-Lap King of The Springs feature, a race that Michael won last season.

Samsung International Midget World Series Points (after two rounds)

(1) 3USA Jerry Coons Jnr - 68 points
(2) 77 Shaun Insley - 48
(3) 54 Michael Pickens - 37
(4) 17K Michael Brunt – 36
(5) 13 Brad Mosen – 31
(6) 41AUS Brendan Palmer - 30