Speedway: Williams favourite in midget event

Eyes to the rear at Western Springs Speedway tonight. Photo / Greg Bowker

Eyes to the rear at Western Springs Speedway tonight.

The focus will be on the back of the pack in the inaugural midget eliminator event at WXC Speedway Western Springs in Auckland.

Drivers will compete in a series of sprints with the last-placed car being removed from the race every two laps; this process will continue until just one car remains: the winner.

Auckland's Hayden Williams is no stranger to this unique format and will enter tonight's race as favourite, having won two features already this season.

"I have raced in a similar style of event in Australia and quite enjoyed it so this is something I've been looking forward to," said the 24-year-old.

"Being such short bursts of speed it provides close and entertaining racing for the fans but also a real challenge for the drivers as there is no room for error - one mistake and your night could be over."

Strategy will play a major role as drivers self-select their starting positions by choosing the next car to start in front of them on the grid.

"My strategy will largely depend on my starting position, but basically it will be about keeping my nose clean and out of trouble to be there for the dash at the end," said Williams.

He has enjoyed a stellar summer, finishing on the podium five times and earning a career-best second place in the World 50-lap Classic this month.

Tonight's meeting will also include sprint cars, sidecars, TQ midgets, F2 midgets and Kiwi Kidz; gates open at 4pm with racing from 6.15pm.

For more information, including ticketing, visit springsspeedway.com