American speedway driver Bryan Clauson has fired a warning shot at the Kiwis and Australians ahead of their much anticipated showdown at WXC Speedway-Western Springs in Auckland tonight.
After missing out on the team altogether last season, the 25-year-old Indiana-native has bounced back to be named captain, and is ina buoyant mood ahead of tonight's United Truck Parts World Midget Series opener.
"I feel like after being left off the team last year there is some pressure to perform this season," said Clauson, who also races Indy Cars in the United States.
"We have one of the toughest American teams ever assembled, and it is my job to make sure we come out and put a whoopin' on the Aussies and Kiwis."
Clauson will be joined Downunder by teammates Tracy Hines, who is a former Nascar truck series competitor, and two-time USAC national midget champion Dave Darland.
"There are very few atmospheres in racing that can compare to Western Springs; the place is always electric, and that makes it exciting for us racers to come out here and put on a great show," said Clauson.
The Australian trio will be made up of Brett Thomas (Qld), Lee Redmond (WA) and captained by Nathan Smee (NSW); while Shayne Alach will captain the local squad, accompanied by fellow Aucklanders Brad Mosen and Hayden Williams.
With five race meetings in just nine days, including a double-header this weekend, drivers will need to be on their best behaviour as there will be little time to repair equipment between events.
"We've got some quick turnarounds between meetings but that's not something these drivers aren't use to, especially the Americans who sometimes race every night of the week, so we should see fantastic racing all throughout the Christmas / New Year period," said Springs promoter Bill Buckley.
Tonight's action will also feature the TQ Grand Prix, sprint cars, F2s and Kiwi Kidz.
