Motorsport: Star performer taking 'wait and see' view on place in Kiwi team

Dean Brindle is expected to be named tonight in a two-man New Zealand sprint car team to compete against Australia and the US. Photo / Colin Smith

Speedway racer Dean Brindle is expected to be named tonight in a two-man New Zealand sprint car team to compete against Australia and the US, but despite his obvious credentials he's not counting his chickens yet.

The Te Awamutu local has spent more than a decade at the top of the Kiwi sprint car scene, and is the in-form driver at WxC Speedway-Western Springs this season with a win and a second place to his name.

But he says he will still be humbled if he receives a New Zealand call-up.

"I'm definitely not expecting [to be selected] as such, but I guess we have been consistent with our results so would certainly hope we are being looked at," said 39-year-old Brindle.

"The closest I have come to representing New Zealand was when we ran in America, but to be able to do it properly here on our home turf in front of a large crowd like at Western Springs would be very special."

The Kiwis will compete against two-time Australian champion James McFadden and World of Outlaws racer Robbie Farr, as well as American legend Kraig Kinser and Western Springs regular Jonathan Allard in the Porter Hire International Sprint Car Series from December 6 to 13.

Assuming Brindle is selected, it appears there is a three-way battle between Auckland's Daniel Eggleton and North Shore veterans Jamie McDonald and Michael Pickens for the final spot in the team.

"Going on consistency my pick would be Jamie MacDonald," said Brindle. "The pair of us have been around for a number of years and I know that Jamie would feel the same as I do about representing our country.

"Next in line would probably be Daniel as he is coming on strong and has a few years' experience in a sprint car under his belt."

In the meantime, though, the focus is on tonight's event with points up for grabs in the series championship race. Brindle is leading the sprint car category after the first two meetings. "We have got off to the start we wanted," he said. "The plan is to be consistent and try to get into the top three as much as we can.

"There is an element of luck involved in speedway and anything can happen on any night which could change the standings fairly quickly, so we just need to keep moving forward and stay out of trouble."

Tonight's action at WxC Speedway-Western Springs also includes midgets, TQs, F2s and Kiwi Kidz. Gates open at 4pm and racing starts at 6.15pm.

For more information, visit www.springsspeedway.com.