| 1 | 96 | Chris McCutcheon | 3rd |
| 3 | 66 | Dave Harding | DNF |
| 5 | 2 | Bill Clarkson Jnr | 2nd |
| 7 | 25 | Scott Buckley | DNF |
| 9 | 9 | Angus McLeod | 4th |
| 11 | 95 | Ray Baughn | 8th |
Palmerston North Speedway November 22, 2008
| 2 | 4 | Dave Gick | 5th |
| 4 | 87 | Lance Beale | 1st |
| 6 | 79 | Nick James | 10th |
| 8 | 81 | Michael Kendall | 9th |
| 10 | 5 | Alvin Cobb | 7th |
| 12 | 13 | Brad Mosen | 6th |
| 1 | 17 | Michael Brunt | DNS |
| 3 | 11 | Shayne Alach | 2nd |
| 5 | 10 | Wayne Green | 6th |
| 7 | 54 | Michael Pickens | 1st |
| 9 | 1 | Shaun Insley | 7th |
| 11 | 88 | Davey Ray | 5th |
| 2 | 33 | Graham Standring | 3rd |
| 4 | 21 | Carl Worboys | 4th |
| 6 | 7 | Jason Bunney | DNF |
| 8 | 32 | Gavin Elbers | 8th |
| 10 | 27 | Mark Oudney | 9th |
| 12 |
| 1 | 88 | Davey Ray | 10th |
| 3 | 1 | Shaun Insley | 2nd |
| 5 | 54 | Michael Pickens | 1st |
| 7 | 10 | Wayne Green | 4th |
| 9 | 11 | Shayne Alach | 5th |
| 11 | 17 | Michael Brunt | DNS |
| 2 | 27 | Mark Oudney | 7th |
| 4 | 32 | Gavin Elbers | 8th |
| 6 | 7 | Jason Bunney | 9th |
| 8 | 21 | Carl Worboys | 3rd |
| 10 | 33 | Graham Standring | 6th |
| 12 |
| 1 | 13 | Brad Mosen | 1st |
| 3 | 5 | Alvin Cobb | 5th |
| 5 | 81 | Michael Kendall | 2nd |
| 7 | 79 | Nick James | 10th |
| 9 | 87 | Lance Beale | 3rd |
| 11 | 4 | Dave Gick | 9th |
| 2 | 95 | Ray Baughn | 4th |
| 4 | 9 | Angus McLeod | 6th |
| 6 | 25 | Scott Buckley | 8th |
| 8 | 2 | Bill Clarkson Jnr | 7th |
| 10 | 66 | Dave Harding | DNF |
| 12 | 96 | Chris McCutcheon | DNF |
| 1 | 27 | Mark Oudney | DNF |
| 3 | 10 | Wayne Green | 3rd |
| 5 | 9 | Angus McLeod | 4th |
| 7 | 96 | Chris McCutcheon | DNF |
| 9 | 1 | Shaun Insley | 8th |
| 11 | 81 | Michael Kendall | 11th |
| 13 | 13 | Brad Mosen | 2nd |
| 15 | 87 | Lance Beale | 5th |
| 17 | 32 | Gavin Elbers | 14th |
| 19 | 25 | Scott Buckley | 10th |
| 21 | 17 | Michael Brunt | DNF |
| 2 | 4 | Dave Gick | 9th |
| 4 | 95 | Ray Baughn | 13th |
| 6 | 5 | Alvin Cobb | DNF |
| 8 | 2 | Bill Clarkson Jnr | DNF |
| 10 | 33 | Graham Standring | DNF |
| 12 | 11 | Shayne Alach | 6th |
| 14 | 21 | Carl Worboys | 7th |
| 16 | 54 | Michael Pickens | 1st |
| 18 | 79 | Nick James | 12th |
| 20 | 88 | Davey Ray | DNF |
| 22 | 66 | Dave Harding | 15th |
Feature - 25 Laps
Grid # Driver Finish Grid # Driver Finish
HEAT 4 - 12 Laps
Grid # Driver Finish Grid # Driver Finish
Grid # Driver Finish Grid # Driver Finish
Grid # Driver Finish Grid # Driver Finish
Grid # Driver Finish Grid # Driver Finish
HEAT 1 - 12 Laps
HEAT 2 - 12 Laps
HEAT 3 - 12 Laps
Pickens shows how its done in Palmerston North
NMCS PR, Palmerston North, NZ, November 22, 2008 - An enthusiastic and appreciative crowd at Arena Manawatu were treated to a thrilling display of driving as US resident kiwi Michael Pickens powered from the back of the field twice in the Don Kay owned ‘Little Rippers’/’Metalman’ #54 Esslinger powered Breka, set up by crew chief Steve Morris to win the National Midget Car Series, 30-lap Manawatu Midget Car Classic at the Robertson Holden International Speedway on Saturday night (Nov. 22)
A 21 car field from Auckland were joined on the night by American Midget star Davey Ray, and Christchurch’s Ray Baughan (Advanced Panel Gaerte/Beast #95C) to do battle over four heats and the 30-Lap feature for the third round of the $100,000 Samsung/Century Batteries National Midget Car Series at the Palmerston North oval. The 23-car field was split into two groups for qualifying, with each driver racing in two heats each to determine the top qualifiers for the 30-lap feature race.
Chris McCutcheon (Bearing Wholesale Gaerte/Stealth #96) looked strong in his win in the first heat, backing his car spectacularly into the turns from the front row, but was then relegated two places for jumping the start. Series points leader going into the event Lance Beale (BNT ED Pink/Aggressor #87), running strongly from the outset , took the win from Bill Clarkson Jnr (TDM/Century Hawk/Aggressor #2NZ), and McCutcheon. Michael Kendall (Demon Esslinger/Terminator #81) was very lucky not to roll after clipping Dave Gick (Logick Fontana/Breka #4).
In the second heat wheelstanding Pickens powered past an impressive list of names with from grid seven, including Shane Alach (Parker Store Esslinger/Aggressor #11), Graham Standring (Wendys Esslinger/Lendich #33) and Carl Worboys (Fumacare Mopar/Beast #21). Alach followed Pickens home in second, with Standring third. Pickens fastest lap time of the heat was a record 15.55 seconds, but not for long.
Pickens also won his second heat, the third, comfortably, again utilising the outside line on a very racy Arena Manawatu surface to great effect. National Champion Shaun Insley (United Truck Parts Mopar/Aggressor #1NZ) was second, ahead of Wayne Green (Robbos Demo Ed Pink/Breka #10). Pickens was still lapping in the fifteen second range, setting a 15.59 second fastest lap. Davey Ray (CRC Synergy V8/Aggressor #88) did not make the third heat.
Brad Mosen (Dickies Mopar/Aggressor #13) won the final heat driving away from the field off the front row, coming back after brake problems slowed his run in his first heat. Mosen set the fastest lap time of the night, a 15.46 second lap, and finished ahead of Michael Kendall and an in form Lance Beale, who charged back up to third place after an early spin.
Pickens was the top qualifier from the heats with two dominant wins (24 points), from Beale (22), Alach and Mosen (19), and Clarkson and Worboys (18). Pickens then drew a marble to decide whether the top 16 would start fastest to the front or invert.The invert marble was drawn, with the top 3 starting off 16,15,14 respectively, the rest of the top 16 following suit. A unique way to decide the grid to say the least, but the outcome guarantees hard racing and excitement!
22 cars lined up for the 30-lap feature, with Jason Bunney (Gaerte/Aggressor #7) out from the heats with engine issues, and Davey Ray similarly sidelined with mechanical woes. Mark Oudney (Logitech Ed Pink/Aggressor #27) got away cleanly from pole position, and held the lead initially from Wayne Green and Angus McLeod (Open Wheel Fontana/Aggressor #9). Pickens and Mosen were already working their way through the traffic, and after a few laps were already mid fielded. Oudney’s front run ended as the #27 spun to the infield out of turn two and slid back onto the track into the path of the charging Pickens. Pickens did well to avoid the incipient collision, but being re started had to go to the back of the pack.
The next few minutes featured some inspiring driving, as Pickens made what is becoming his signature charge through the field. It took him just ten laps to race his way from the back of the field to the lead, using both the high and pole lines to take the lead to the chequer. There were also battles for positions right through the field, with the drivers all excelling on a multi-laned, well prepared surface, ideal for the wheel to wheel racing the Midgets can provide.
Brad Mosen similarly displayed some good racecraft from grid thirteen to take second, with Green and McLeod rewarded for a good night’s racing by third and fourth places respectively. Fifth was Lance Beale, followed by Alach (6th), Worboys (7th), Insley (8th), Gick (9th), and Scott Buckley (Iscar Mopar/Aggressor #25) in tenth.
So a great night for Pickens and crew chief Steve Morris, and a great night for Midget car racing's first venture into the Manawatu. Pickens has the coveted first name on the Arena Manawatu trophy that is destined to become a feature for years to come.
NMCS PR, Palmerston North, NZ, November 22, 2008 - An enthusiastic and appreciative crowd at Arena Manawatu were treated to a thrilling display of driving as US resident kiwi Michael Pickens powered from the back of the field twice in the Don Kay owned ‘Little Rippers’/’Metalman’ #54 Esslinger powered Breka, set up by crew chief Steve Morris to win the National Midget Car Series, 30-lap Manawatu Midget Car Classic at the Robertson Holden International Speedway on Saturday night (Nov. 22)
A 21 car field from Auckland were joined on the night by American Midget star Davey Ray, and Christchurch’s Ray Baughan (Advanced Panel Gaerte/Beast #95C) to do battle over four heats and the 30-Lap feature for the third round of the $100,000 Samsung/Century Batteries National Midget Car Series at the Palmerston North oval. The 23-car field was split into two groups for qualifying, with each driver racing in two heats each to determine the top qualifiers for the 30-lap feature race.
Chris McCutcheon (Bearing Wholesale Gaerte/Stealth #96) looked strong in his win in the first heat, backing his car spectacularly into the turns from the front row, but was then relegated two places for jumping the start. Series points leader going into the event Lance Beale (BNT ED Pink/Aggressor #87), running strongly from the outset , took the win from Bill Clarkson Jnr (TDM/Century Hawk/Aggressor #2NZ), and McCutcheon. Michael Kendall (Demon Esslinger/Terminator #81) was very lucky not to roll after clipping Dave Gick (Logick Fontana/Breka #4).
In the second heat wheelstanding Pickens powered past an impressive list of names with from grid seven, including Shane Alach (Parker Store Esslinger/Aggressor #11), Graham Standring (Wendys Esslinger/Lendich #33) and Carl Worboys (Fumacare Mopar/Beast #21). Alach followed Pickens home in second, with Standring third. Pickens fastest lap time of the heat was a record 15.55 seconds, but not for long.
Pickens also won his second heat, the third, comfortably, again utilising the outside line on a very racy Arena Manawatu surface to great effect. National Champion Shaun Insley (United Truck Parts Mopar/Aggressor #1NZ) was second, ahead of Wayne Green (Robbos Demo Ed Pink/Breka #10). Pickens was still lapping in the fifteen second range, setting a 15.59 second fastest lap. Davey Ray (CRC Synergy V8/Aggressor #88) did not make the third heat.
Brad Mosen (Dickies Mopar/Aggressor #13) won the final heat driving away from the field off the front row, coming back after brake problems slowed his run in his first heat. Mosen set the fastest lap time of the night, a 15.46 second lap, and finished ahead of Michael Kendall and an in form Lance Beale, who charged back up to third place after an early spin.
Pickens was the top qualifier from the heats with two dominant wins (24 points), from Beale (22), Alach and Mosen (19), and Clarkson and Worboys (18). Pickens then drew a marble to decide whether the top 16 would start fastest to the front or invert.The invert marble was drawn, with the top 3 starting off 16,15,14 respectively, the rest of the top 16 following suit. A unique way to decide the grid to say the least, but the outcome guarantees hard racing and excitement!
22 cars lined up for the 30-lap feature, with Jason Bunney (Gaerte/Aggressor #7) out from the heats with engine issues, and Davey Ray similarly sidelined with mechanical woes. Mark Oudney (Logitech Ed Pink/Aggressor #27) got away cleanly from pole position, and held the lead initially from Wayne Green and Angus McLeod (Open Wheel Fontana/Aggressor #9). Pickens and Mosen were already working their way through the traffic, and after a few laps were already mid fielded. Oudney’s front run ended as the #27 spun to the infield out of turn two and slid back onto the track into the path of the charging Pickens. Pickens did well to avoid the incipient collision, but being re started had to go to the back of the pack.
The next few minutes featured some inspiring driving, as Pickens made what is becoming his signature charge through the field. It took him just ten laps to race his way from the back of the field to the lead, using both the high and pole lines to take the lead to the chequer. There were also battles for positions right through the field, with the drivers all excelling on a multi-laned, well prepared surface, ideal for the wheel to wheel racing the Midgets can provide.
Brad Mosen similarly displayed some good racecraft from grid thirteen to take second, with Green and McLeod rewarded for a good night’s racing by third and fourth places respectively. Fifth was Lance Beale, followed by Alach (6th), Worboys (7th), Insley (8th), Gick (9th), and Scott Buckley (Iscar Mopar/Aggressor #25) in tenth.
So a great night for Pickens and crew chief Steve Morris, and a great night for Midget car racing's first venture into the Manawatu. Pickens has the coveted first name on the Arena Manawatu trophy that is destined to become a feature for years to come.