Speedway racing: From world class Springs to Chili Bowl heat

Michael Pickens wants the restrictions at Western Springs relaxed. Photo / Supplied

American sport loves bowls and midget car racing is no exception.

The Oklahoma Chili Bowl is the hottest event on the midget car calendar and North Shore driver Michael Pickens this month stormed to a brilliant third placing in the 50-lap finale.

The 28-year-old, competing in the Tulsa race for the third time, even had to fight back from a tangle not of his making which forced him to re-start at the back of the field.

Having settled back into his sales and marketing job for a West Auckland pipe and hose company, Pickens takes a few questions from the Weekend Herald.

The Chili Bowl is hot ...

It's the biggest midget race in the world, being held in the middle of winter when there is nothing else going on. You get guys from Nascar, offroad racing, drag racing, whatever ... they had 266 cars for this last event. You hope to make the main event of 24 cars. We had to stop halfway for a car that had spun out and the rules are if you stop you go to the back of the field. Considering that, we were pretty happy with third.

Is this an expensive exercise?

Very expensive. I drive for a guy in Missouri - Joe Loyet - who runs five cars every year. We get 50 per cent of any prizemoney so we got $3500. It still costs a lot for air fares and accommodation and I had to get my crew chief up there. Personal sponsors help me out and I couldn't do this without them.

Are you from a motor racing family?

Not at all. Just an average normal Kiwi family, except I'm into motor racing. I was always into cars when I was little. I grew up on a farm in Coatesville riding motor bikes. We moved into the city when I was 10 and had to get rid of the dirt bikes but I conned my old man into getting a go-kart.

Did you have a childhood hero?

Scott Dixon. He was a couple of years older than me but I followed what he was doing, a Kiwi going to America. He was in a slightly different circle of people but I always looked up to what he was doing.

What was your dream?

To race in Nascar and I still want to. I had a couple of tests for Roush Racing after winning a couple of races in America in 2004.

I'd never run any pavement stuff before and I had no financial backing so it was tough. I'm getting older and there are always young kids coming up with loads more experience and financial backing so I've had to let go of the dream a bit.

Money buys the ride that gives you the experience which the car owners want.

Your career highlight?

My second test drive for Roush in 2005. We made fifth from 25 drivers. I guess they didn't want to invest their money in someone who was a bit of an unknown. I always wanted to drive professionally - I could be professional right now but I'd only be earning $20,000 a year.

What's your knack?

I have enough aggression to get the job done but not so much that I come unstuck. To run a midget at the front you've got to drive them aggressively, you've got to man-handle the car to a certain extent but be in control at the same time.

Are some drivers too mad?

%^&* yeah. In all forms of motor sport you get some guys who are under-aggressive and those who are too aggressive. It's all about getting the most out of your car and any opportunity you get. First and foremost you need the right equipment and people around you.

What's the best advice you've been given?

An old crew chief told me to try to drive at 80 per cent, which means you've always got that little bit left and you don't make the mistakes. I was young and pretty much out of control at the time.

How is speedway in New Zealand?

Very strong - and we had 38 cars for the international series. Western Springs attracts international drivers because it is world class. People here don't realise that. The atmosphere makes the Springs special. Being so close to the city ... the hills create a velodrome type set-up ... most overseas tracks are now stuck in the middle of a corn field somewhere. International drivers think the place is amazing.

You are the noisy neighbours at Western Springs - do your disgruntled neighbours have a point?

Not at all. It's a closed argument for me. None of the people can claim they were there before the speedway.

Is there one thing you would like to change in your sport?

I'd like the restrictions on noise and the number of shows at Western Springs relaxed.

Losing Western Springs would have a huge effect on all dirt racing in New Zealand. Right now it is borderline whether a car can stay under the current decibel reading. It's a battle for the competitors and the promoter.

We have to spend so much money developing mufflers. If the limit was five decibels louder things would be so much easier.

The cost has been horrendous. You get to a certain point where the mufflers choke the engines. We're not at that point, but very close.