Motorsport: US maestro hoping to repeat Western Springs glory

NZ Herald

25 Dec, 2015 08:17 PM2 mins to read

American midget driver Bryan Clauson returns to WXC Speedway Western Springs tonight hoping to keep his New Zealand winning streak alive, having finished unbeaten last summer.

The 26-year-old from Noblesville, Indiana, has visited Auckland every year since 2010, and last season became just the second driver in history to win every race of the prestigious international midget series.

"Repeating the run we had last year will certainly be tough but we are bringing back the same car and same package so I expect to pick up right where we left off last January," said Clauson.

"I've got great car owners and crew over here who work hard all year to make sure we have every opportunity to dominate on the race track; I love racing and certainly love winning even more."

The two-time USAC National Midget Series champion has enjoyed a great run of form in the United States since his last trip Down Under, winning his third Belleville Midget Nationals in Kansas and qualifying for his second Indianapolis 500 start.

"We've had a great time up in the US this year and I've been really looking forward to getting down to New Zealand. The fans and the atmosphere at Western Springs are unmatched anywhere else in the world," he said.

"It's a lot of fun racing with folks from all over the world. This series gathers the best drivers from New Zealand, Australia and the US and puts them all on the same track. It doesn't get any better than that.

"The Kiwis come over to our turf in June also so it's only fair we come to see them on theirs in our winter."

Clauson will be rejoined by fellow Americans Tracey Hines and Jerry Coons jnr, as well as first-time visitors Tyler Thomas, Spencer Bayston and Zach Daum. The Australian contingent includes Nathan Smee, Brett Thomas and Aidan Corish.

Tonight's meeting will feature test team racing as the New Zealand team of Brad Mosen, Shayne Alach and Hayden Williams aim to defend their coveted trophy against the visitors.

Sprint cars, TQs, F2 midgets and Kiwi Kidz classes will also be on show. Gates open at 4pm, with racing from 6.15pm. For more information, visit www.springsspeedway.com.