Corey Haigh was forced into a run-off with Scott Lane before he finally claimed a major win for the season at the Waikaraka Park speedway.
Haigh had threatened to take the modified sportsman class by storm all season, but the Chevrolet-powered Holden Barina proved a temperamental beast every time the workload
increased.
Haigh and Lane battled through three points races to share the lead after Hamilton's Tony Galbraith slammed into a wall in the final race to wreck his chances.
Defending champion Garry Parker struck problems, as did Jamie Fox and Andrew Porter.
Alan Haigh, brother of Corey, made his return to racing this summer a success by claiming third place overall.
In the four-lap run-off, Corey Haigh jumped away at the start, but Lane kept the pressure on, waiting for a mistake.
Lane, running a smaller engine in his Chev-Barina, made an impression on the turns and Haigh had only a metre to spare at the end.
New Auckland standard stock champion Paul Vazey found the going easier, despite having to outpoint 38 others to claim the title.
The former Palmerston North champion had a first, third and seventh placings in his races to edge out Mike Barnes overall.
Maurice Pene was a surprise but deserving winner over the experienced Paul Chatfield in the run-off for third place.
Steve Williams, caddy to golfing star Tiger Woods, was back in Auckland to contest the saloon races, but he had to bow to arch-rivals Nigel Ross and Brent McClymont.
