Western Springs' youngest midget car feature race winner is eager to keep his career on the fast track when the new speedway season begins tonight.
Teenage hard-charger Michael Pickens is back with a new car and a fresh goal after claiming his maiden feature race victory on the final night of last season. The win came soon after Pickens had turned 17.
Since graduating from the Kiwi Kidz quarter-midgets two years ago, the North Shore auto-electrician has shown plenty of speed.
Upgrading from an underpowered Cosworth engine to the Foxco-Ford unit raced by US visitor Jerry Coons jnr accelerated Pickens' progress in the final meetings last season.
That engine is now installed in a new Tim Clark chassis and Pickens believes he has the equipment and backing to begin challenging established midget car stars such as Michael Kendall and Graham Standring on a more regular basis.
Pickens' talent has been spotted by Brett Morris who has formed a two-car team under the Seamount Racing banner which is also fielding leading TQ midget front runner Bill Clarkson jnr.
Pickens says changing engines and working with car-builder Clark has helped him adopt a smoother style. "The engine leans over about 45 degrees which gives the car more left-side weight and drives it off the corner straighter."
Pre-season practice has already shown the potential of the new car, but Pickens is not treating the opposition lightly.
"It's a really tough class and there are a dozen guys who can win the feature race any night. And any of them could end up as the New Zealand champion as well."
"We've had three practice runs just to run-in the engine and the new car feels good."
Ahead of schedule in achieving his goal of winning a feature race before turning 18, Pickens has set himself a fresh objective.
"I would love to make the international team this year," he said.
The 20-night Western Springs programme runs until March 10, featuring the international midget series, which begins on Boxing Day, and the New Zealand sprint car title on January 27.
Competition in the sprint car division will be boosted by the arrival of Christchurch racers Steve Duff and Gerard Ness, who are bringing their cars to Auckland and will commute weekly to gain experience against Springs' frontrunners Allan Wakeling, Kerry Jones and Kerry Brocas.
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