Michael Pickens (front) battles Brad Mosen (centre) and American Tyler Thomas in the international midget series. Photo / Shot360
Four previous champions will line up in tonight's World 50-lap Classic at WXC Speedway - Western Springs, with $10,000 and the prestigious winner's ring on the line.
Almost 40 midget drivers from New Zealand, Australia and USA will attempt to qualify for this famous race, including five-time winner Michael Pickens
from Auckland, two-time victor Jerry Coons Jr from Indiana, current New Zealand champion and former 50-lap winner Brad Mosen as well as defending champion Bryan Clauson from the US.
First place will take home $10,000 in prize money along with the newly introduced 50-lap ring, a take-off of the American Super Bowl ring, to each of the winning driver and car owner.
Clauson is listed as the $2.50 favourite at the TAB having won the last two international midget features, while Kiwis Pickens ($3.50), Mosen ($6.00) and Hayden Williams ($7.00) are also offering short odds for victory.
Tonight's meeting will include sprint cars, F2 midgets, TQ midgets and Kiwi Kidz, with an earlier start time of 5:15pm; gates open at 3pm. Monday 4 January has been allocated as a rain-out postponement date.
For more information, including ticketing, visit www.springsspeedway.com.
