Speedway racer Michael Kendall has his eye on overseas success after completing a midget car milestone that was last achieved in the 1970s.
By winning his third consecutive national title at the Kihikihi track, Kendall duplicated the title hat-tricks of Ross Goonan (1954-56), Ian Holden (1959-61) and Ted Tracey (1977-79).
The Swanson racer plans to take his car and the 1NZ racing number on an international campaign.
His first target is the Australian midget championship, near Adelaide on February 24, where he will try to improve on a second-place effort last season.
"It will depend on some sponsorship, but we're looking at going back again," Kendall said.
"The Australians have changed their rules so I don't need to do three meetings to qualify, which makes it much easier."
An American campaign was also planned. Kendall raced there last season and said he was eager to put together a six-month schedule with the Namars group in the Mid-west.
"Namars is running a proper world championship for the first time this year so I'd really like to be part of that."
Kendall retained the national title at Kihikihi after beating fellow Western Springs racer Justin Insley in an exciting four-lap run-off.
Insley beat Kendall at the start, but the defending champion played catch-up and completed an outside pass with a lap to go.
They had both finished on 52 points after each scoring second, third and sixth placings in the 20-lap races.
Indiana's Brice Kenyon provided the international flavour at the first NZ title meeting open to foreign drivers since the 1960s. He finished third overall ahead of former champion and recent 50-lap Classic winner Kevin Hyde.
Waiuku sprint car ace Kerry Jones extended his record as the most successful driver in the sport's fastest division when he claimed his seventh title with a dominating performance at Western Springs.
Jones won both preliminary heats and easily won the 25-lap final.
In the process of lapping all but three other drivers, Jones also carved 18.1s off the 25-lap track record.
Pukekohe's Kerry Brocas completed a quinella for Counties' drivers.
Henderson's Ossie Sokol took third ahead of defending champ Allan Wakeling.
Jones' dominance at Western Springs will be challenged when an international sprint car series, featuring visiting US drivers, starts tomorrow week.
Motorsport: Kendall revs up overseas speedway campaign
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