Speedway is heating up this summer.
The Midget World Series is underway, with races having already taken place in Auckland on Thursday and set to continue in Tauranga tonight.
11 Time New Zealand Midget Racing Champion Michael Pickins took out the midget class and the 30 lap sprint car titles on Boxing Day at Western Springs.
However, racing at the track is coming to an end after nearly 100 years.
"I can honestly say, I've travelled ... all over racing and been to most tracks throughout the world and there's certainly not a place even close to Western Springs," he said.
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Episode Transcript
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Speaker 1 (00:06):
You're listening to the All Sport Breakfast podcast with Darcy
Waldegrave from News Talks at BIX A healthy serving of
sport The All Sport Breakfast thanks to GJ. Gunnomes, New
Zealand's first trusted overbuilder, News.
Speaker 2 (00:21):
Talks edb thirteen to eight on the All Sport Breakfast,
we'll lead zero in on Speedway. Now. There are meets
up and down the country right through this festive period
and this Summer's Midget World Series is underway. The first
of five rounds and it took place at Western Springs
on Thursday night. There'll be two rounds entitling are from
it tonight as well as Monday, and it continues and
(00:42):
heads back up to Auckland's now eleven time he's seen
on Midget Racing Champion Michael Pickens made a great start
to this year's series. He took out both the midget
class and the thirty lapp sprint car titles on Boxing
Day at Western Springs. A great achievement and great start
to the series for him. Michael is with us now
morning to your Michael, Congratulations, A pretty pleasing night f
(01:06):
you on Boxing Day.
Speaker 3 (01:08):
Yeah, that was awesome, a great way to start the series.
And yes, it's not too often you get to win
two features in one night, so you've got to make
the most of it, and you have got a way
to kick it off. It's awesome.
Speaker 2 (01:18):
Did you feel that you were coming in with with
pretty good chances across both cars?
Speaker 3 (01:23):
Yeah, you know, like with the sprint car, we've we've
been running really good and been we've we've won one
already and we've been super close the other races, so
we're pretty confident with that. And the midget, you know,
we've we've strolled a little bit here and there so far,
so not so confident with the midget, but here we
found our feet and obviously the car was really good.
So yeah, it's a good confidence boost for myself and
(01:46):
all the guys moving forward.
Speaker 2 (01:47):
Tell us how you were tested across the different races.
Speaker 3 (01:53):
So there's the sprint car race. We ran second for
probably the first maybe half or so of the feature,
and we're qualified top on points I guess to start with.
And then yeah, we ran second for the first half
and gone to that chat, had a restart with about
ten to go, and you've got Jonathan Hellot on the
restart and led from there all the all the way
(02:14):
home and the Magic we actually similar similar deal. We've
actually started second and ran second for the first couple
of laps, got into the lead maybe five or six
on that's in and led the rest of the way
of the race. Also, So you two great cars and
surely sure makes my life a whole lot to drive
(02:35):
when you've got equipment like that.
Speaker 2 (02:36):
Exactly. Yeah, I mean, you're you're very used to winning.
You've had a long history of being very successful in
the sport. But to pick up both those races wins
on the same night, how special is it? And where
does it rank alongside some of your other achievements.
Speaker 3 (02:49):
You know, I mean it's not the first time, but
it's it's very hard to do them, and you've got
to have everything goes away, you know, you can't have
your too many hack ups, and and obviously you know
it's it takes a lot of great people behind you
as well to keep all the quips and perfect throughout
each racer at the night. So yes, that's not just
(03:10):
myself as a driver not making mistakes. It's all the
guys too. And I'm lucky enough to have some really
really good two teams that are just the best in
the business.
Speaker 2 (03:19):
And I know this series has often been able to
get some really good international drivers down from from other
big competitions like the NASCAR Cup and things like that.
Tell us about this. I see Shane bengers Bergen's name
on on some of the racing yesterday too.
Speaker 3 (03:30):
Yeah, s cgs. He's running the sprint car for the
entire International Midget Series, which so he obviously not run
the Midget series as such, but he's run the sprint car.
So it's neat, you know, it's neat for the fans
to see such a talent, you know, and obviously he's
from New Zealand, but to have a NASCAR a rising
Escar Star race is great. And you know Logan Logan
(03:52):
CV and Buddy co Ford. I mean, those guys are
the absolute best in the business. So it's a Britisher
race with them and let alone beat them last night,
So it's great for me and it's it's really cool
the fantasy too.
Speaker 2 (04:07):
And tell us what it's like racing at Western Springs.
Knowing that this summer is sort of the finale for
it all. I know you'll be back there again as
part of this series as well. But as the emotions
starting to kick in for a lot of people.
Speaker 3 (04:18):
Yeah, and to talk a bit on that, you know,
there's a small group of people that have created a
you know club to a small group to try and
save Wishtern Springs that save our speedway dot Cota in
Zen and it would be great to see everyone get
them behind trying to save Wishn Springs. It's certainly not
over yet, you know, although people have you know, portraying
(04:41):
it that way, but hopefully, hopefully this won't be the last.
So yeah, I currently wanted to get them behind it
and see if we can save it.
Speaker 2 (04:49):
Yeah. So obviously as one of New Zealand's top drivers,
having the support of yourself for that cause must be
you know, pretty strong for them.
Speaker 3 (04:56):
Yeah, I swear I cut my teeth. You know, I've
raced there for twenty eight years I think it is now,
including quarter midget days, so you know, ninety five years
of history. And there's I can honestly say, of travel
the Australian America Race and been to most tracks speedway
throughout the world, there's certainly not a place even close
(05:17):
to Western Springs and to lose that history would be
just absolutely devastating, so you've got to do it best
to try and save it. And like I said, there's
a website Savo Speedway dot cot MS, so I encourage
you one to join up and let's see what happens.
Speaker 2 (05:31):
Yeah. Cool. In terms of the series, Yeah, you hit
to tit on a Bay Park Speedway for a couple
more meetings. How does that sort of change for you?
What are the characteristics of the track there?
Speaker 3 (05:42):
It's obviously different. It's it's maybe a tick bigger than
Western Springs. You know, style of racing is a little different,
but you know, still lifted, then the straightaway still running
round and brown. So you just got to get your
cars used to count on the night and and you know,
capitalize on your heat races to start up front. So
(06:04):
it's just an night for us, to be honest, mate,
We've got two in a row there and we're back
at our white crack on first. Yeah.
Speaker 2 (06:11):
Great, And from your advantage point, give us sort of
your take on the health of the sport at the moment, Michael,
sort of you know, young drivers coming through and all
that creating some some good depth amongst the key we seen.
But also I guess you know, the way that the
events are being supported, because it look like a really
good crowd there the other night.
Speaker 3 (06:26):
It was awesome, you know, and it shows how much
people do love Western Springs and the sport in general.
Bost I guess speedway's general. The sport is really healthy,
and it's quite unique, you know, because you had a
circle race, and as much I love circuit racing, and
that it's Speedway's so unique and that you can sit
in the stands with your family and watch the entire
(06:46):
show in one spot. And it's it's pretty short and sweet,
you know. We start racing about six thirty and it's
by nine thirty ten, So it is a great sport
and we've probably taken it. I know I've taken it
for granted, I guess because I've grown up with it.
I don't know any different. But when someone, you know,
when you hear it could be gone, that's probably when
(07:08):
people start realizing how special that place is. So but
now the sports in a great way, and I think
it showed the other night with their car count and
the man of support it had. It was awesome.
Speaker 2 (07:19):
Yeah, great, And what's on the horizon for you any
big overseas trips? Planned to come sort of January February
into the new year.
Speaker 3 (07:25):
Yeah, so we'll finish this off on the fourth of January,
which will be the New Zealand title for the midgets,
and then I'll be off to Chili Bowl, which is
in Tosa Tulsa, Oklahoma. That's pretty well the biggest midget
race in the world. There's nearly four hundred cars show
up and it's it's probably the biggest biggest deal for
midget rates in the world. So you'll have a crack
(07:47):
at that and second week of January and you see
how he goes. It's a tough deal obviously with that
many cars, and I've done a lot of times, but yes,
that's one one or truly like to win.
Speaker 2 (07:59):
Great well, Michael, congratulations on the success during the week.
All the best for the rest of the series and yeah,
those exciting metes including the big Open Oklahoma one in
a few weeks time. Thanks for chatting mate, go well.
Speaker 3 (08:09):
Yeah, appreciate having me on Speedway.
Speaker 2 (08:11):
Driver Michael Pickens with us here on the All Sport Breakfast.
The Midget World Series continues at the Bay Park Speedway
and they have plenty today and again on Monday.
Speaker 1 (08:22):
For more from the All Sport Breakfast with Darcy Watergrave.
Listen live to News Talk set be on Saturday mornings,
or follow the podcast on iHeartRadio
You're listening to the All Sport Breakfast podcast with Darcy
Waldegrave from News Talks at BIX A healthy serving of
sport The All Sport Breakfast thanks to GJ. Gunnomes, New
Zealand's first trusted overbuilder, News.
Speaker 2 (00:21):
Talks edb thirteen to eight on the All Sport Breakfast,
we'll lead zero in on Speedway. Now. There are meets
up and down the country right through this festive period
and this Summer's Midget World Series is underway. The first
of five rounds and it took place at Western Springs
on Thursday night. There'll be two rounds entitling are from
it tonight as well as Monday, and it continues and
(00:42):
heads back up to Auckland's now eleven time he's seen
on Midget Racing Champion Michael Pickens made a great start
to this year's series. He took out both the midget
class and the thirty lapp sprint car titles on Boxing
Day at Western Springs. A great achievement and great start
to the series for him. Michael is with us now
morning to your Michael, Congratulations, A pretty pleasing night f
(01:06):
you on Boxing Day.
Speaker 3 (01:08):
Yeah, that was awesome, a great way to start the series.
And yes, it's not too often you get to win
two features in one night, so you've got to make
the most of it, and you have got a way
to kick it off. It's awesome.
Speaker 2 (01:18):
Did you feel that you were coming in with with
pretty good chances across both cars?
Speaker 3 (01:23):
Yeah, you know, like with the sprint car, we've we've
been running really good and been we've we've won one
already and we've been super close the other races, so
we're pretty confident with that. And the midget, you know,
we've we've strolled a little bit here and there so far,
so not so confident with the midget, but here we
found our feet and obviously the car was really good.
So yeah, it's a good confidence boost for myself and
(01:46):
all the guys moving forward.
Speaker 2 (01:47):
Tell us how you were tested across the different races.
Speaker 3 (01:53):
So there's the sprint car race. We ran second for
probably the first maybe half or so of the feature,
and we're qualified top on points I guess to start with.
And then yeah, we ran second for the first half
and gone to that chat, had a restart with about
ten to go, and you've got Jonathan Hellot on the
restart and led from there all the all the way
(02:14):
home and the Magic we actually similar similar deal. We've
actually started second and ran second for the first couple
of laps, got into the lead maybe five or six
on that's in and led the rest of the way
of the race. Also, So you two great cars and
surely sure makes my life a whole lot to drive
(02:35):
when you've got equipment like that.
Speaker 2 (02:36):
Exactly. Yeah, I mean, you're you're very used to winning.
You've had a long history of being very successful in
the sport. But to pick up both those races wins
on the same night, how special is it? And where
does it rank alongside some of your other achievements.
Speaker 3 (02:49):
You know, I mean it's not the first time, but
it's it's very hard to do them, and you've got
to have everything goes away, you know, you can't have
your too many hack ups, and and obviously you know
it's it takes a lot of great people behind you
as well to keep all the quips and perfect throughout
each racer at the night. So yes, that's not just
(03:10):
myself as a driver not making mistakes. It's all the
guys too. And I'm lucky enough to have some really
really good two teams that are just the best in
the business.
Speaker 2 (03:19):
And I know this series has often been able to
get some really good international drivers down from from other
big competitions like the NASCAR Cup and things like that.
Tell us about this. I see Shane bengers Bergen's name
on on some of the racing yesterday too.
Speaker 3 (03:30):
Yeah, s cgs. He's running the sprint car for the
entire International Midget Series, which so he obviously not run
the Midget series as such, but he's run the sprint car.
So it's neat, you know, it's neat for the fans
to see such a talent, you know, and obviously he's
from New Zealand, but to have a NASCAR a rising
Escar Star race is great. And you know Logan Logan
(03:52):
CV and Buddy co Ford. I mean, those guys are
the absolute best in the business. So it's a Britisher
race with them and let alone beat them last night,
So it's great for me and it's it's really cool
the fantasy too.
Speaker 2 (04:07):
And tell us what it's like racing at Western Springs.
Knowing that this summer is sort of the finale for
it all. I know you'll be back there again as
part of this series as well. But as the emotions
starting to kick in for a lot of people.
Speaker 3 (04:18):
Yeah, and to talk a bit on that, you know,
there's a small group of people that have created a
you know club to a small group to try and
save Wishtern Springs that save our speedway dot Cota in
Zen and it would be great to see everyone get
them behind trying to save Wishn Springs. It's certainly not
over yet, you know, although people have you know, portraying
(04:41):
it that way, but hopefully, hopefully this won't be the last.
So yeah, I currently wanted to get them behind it
and see if we can save it.
Speaker 2 (04:49):
Yeah. So obviously as one of New Zealand's top drivers,
having the support of yourself for that cause must be
you know, pretty strong for them.
Speaker 3 (04:56):
Yeah, I swear I cut my teeth. You know, I've
raced there for twenty eight years I think it is now,
including quarter midget days, so you know, ninety five years
of history. And there's I can honestly say, of travel
the Australian America Race and been to most tracks speedway
throughout the world, there's certainly not a place even close
(05:17):
to Western Springs and to lose that history would be
just absolutely devastating, so you've got to do it best
to try and save it. And like I said, there's
a website Savo Speedway dot cot MS, so I encourage
you one to join up and let's see what happens.
Speaker 2 (05:31):
Yeah. Cool. In terms of the series, Yeah, you hit
to tit on a Bay Park Speedway for a couple
more meetings. How does that sort of change for you?
What are the characteristics of the track there?
Speaker 3 (05:42):
It's obviously different. It's it's maybe a tick bigger than
Western Springs. You know, style of racing is a little different,
but you know, still lifted, then the straightaway still running
round and brown. So you just got to get your
cars used to count on the night and and you know,
capitalize on your heat races to start up front. So
(06:04):
it's just an night for us, to be honest, mate,
We've got two in a row there and we're back
at our white crack on first. Yeah.
Speaker 2 (06:11):
Great, And from your advantage point, give us sort of
your take on the health of the sport at the moment, Michael,
sort of you know, young drivers coming through and all
that creating some some good depth amongst the key we seen.
But also I guess you know, the way that the
events are being supported, because it look like a really
good crowd there the other night.
Speaker 3 (06:26):
It was awesome, you know, and it shows how much
people do love Western Springs and the sport in general.
Bost I guess speedway's general. The sport is really healthy,
and it's quite unique, you know, because you had a
circle race, and as much I love circuit racing, and
that it's Speedway's so unique and that you can sit
in the stands with your family and watch the entire
(06:46):
show in one spot. And it's it's pretty short and sweet,
you know. We start racing about six thirty and it's
by nine thirty ten, So it is a great sport
and we've probably taken it. I know I've taken it
for granted, I guess because I've grown up with it.
I don't know any different. But when someone, you know,
when you hear it could be gone, that's probably when
(07:08):
people start realizing how special that place is. So but
now the sports in a great way, and I think
it showed the other night with their car count and
the man of support it had. It was awesome.
Speaker 2 (07:19):
Yeah, great, And what's on the horizon for you any
big overseas trips? Planned to come sort of January February
into the new year.
Speaker 3 (07:25):
Yeah, so we'll finish this off on the fourth of January,
which will be the New Zealand title for the midgets,
and then I'll be off to Chili Bowl, which is
in Tosa Tulsa, Oklahoma. That's pretty well the biggest midget
race in the world. There's nearly four hundred cars show
up and it's it's probably the biggest biggest deal for
midget rates in the world. So you'll have a crack
(07:47):
at that and second week of January and you see
how he goes. It's a tough deal obviously with that
many cars, and I've done a lot of times, but yes,
that's one one or truly like to win.
Speaker 2 (07:59):
Great well, Michael, congratulations on the success during the week.
All the best for the rest of the series and yeah,
those exciting metes including the big Open Oklahoma one in
a few weeks time. Thanks for chatting mate, go well.
Speaker 3 (08:09):
Yeah, appreciate having me on Speedway.
Speaker 2 (08:11):
Driver Michael Pickens with us here on the All Sport Breakfast.
The Midget World Series continues at the Bay Park Speedway
and they have plenty today and again on Monday.
Speaker 1 (08:22):
For more from the All Sport Breakfast with Darcy Watergrave.
Listen live to News Talk set be on Saturday mornings,
or follow the podcast on iHeartRadio
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