Motorsport: NZ take midget honours

New Zealand took overall honours in the four-test Springs Speedway world midget series in Auckland on Saturday night but it was American Scott Hatton who scorched to the individual prize at Western Springs.

The Illinois native celebrated his 41st birthday with a commanding win in the prestigious 50-lap feature race, just two days after winning the second-biggest race of the season, the 30-lap feature.

Hatton started from second on the grid but passed New Zealand hope Michael Pickens in traffic 10 laps into the race.

The race restarted after accidents six times but on each occasion Hatton fended off challengers.

Pickens held on for second and defending champion Bryce Townsend drove brilliantly to finish third from 21st on the grid, in a borrowed car.

Almost half the 25-strong field retired during the gruelling race - the United States' Cory Kruseman accounting for three of them when the exhaust system fell off his car.

The US picked up 54 points for the night to head off Australia (45) and New Zealand (43), but didn't score enough points to stop the home team from taking overall honours.

They finished 10 points clear of the Americans on 416 points, with Australia well back on 327 points.

The speedway season at Western Springs has come to a premature close, with the last five meetings cancelled due to noise restrictions.

A High Court hearing is set to resolve the issue of noise limits at the venue later this year.

- NZPA