AUCKLAND, New Zealand – Michael Pickens and Hayden Williams laid claim to feature victories during the opening night of action at Western Springs Speedway on Friday.
Pickens won both his heat race and the main event for winged 410 sprint cars at the quarter-mile, slightly-banked clay oval.
The Kiwi beat Jamie Larsen, Dean Brindle, Rodney Wood and Matthew Leversedge to the checkered flag in the sprint car main event.
Williams ruled the midget feature held during the Western Springs opener, finishing third behind Pickens and Michael Brunt in his heat but storming to victory in the main.
Brock Maskovich rallied to second in the midget feature after running eighth in his heat, while Pickens completed the podium.
Hayden Guptill and Michael Brunt were fourth and fifth, respectively, in the midgets.
The finishes:
410 sprint cars: Michael Pickens, Jamie Larsen, Dean Brindle, Rodney Wood, Matthew Leversedge, Kerry Brocas, Dave Witton, Keaton Dahm, Glen Torpey, Rob Vazey, Dion Kendall, Chris Kernohan, Tyler Radovan, Steve Smith, Adam Child, Brian Edwards, Daniel Eggleton.
Midgets: Hayden Williams, Brock Maskovich, Michael Pickens, Hayden Guptill, Michael Brunt, Aaron Hodgson, Nathan Howard, Jayden Worthington, Kayne Buck, Travis Buckley, Craig Jeffries, Kent Palmer, James Cossey, Matthew McCutcheon.