Brad Mosen and Jamie Duff will parade new 1NZ race numbers in a history-making event at WxC Speedway-Western Springs tonight, having both won their first New Zealand Championship titles last weekend.
Auckland's speedway teams migrated south in their droves at the weekend to contest national titles, with Mosen ending yearsof toil to win the midget crown in Christchurch, while Duff proved the surprise package as he claimed the sprint car equivalent in Palmerston North.
"It's a relief to have finally won this one; something clicked between my crew chief Calvin [Worthington] and I this year and between us we've probably had the best midget team around ... , " said 27-year-old Mosen.
Western Springs Speedway has been on an eight-week hiatus as many of the top contenders have raced around the country and overseas, but returns tonight with three Speedway New Zealand (SNZ) titles up for grabs: the first time in history that a single track has hosted three events of this magnitude on one night.
The midgets will contest the New Zealand Grand Prix, while the sprint cars and TQs will compete for North Island Championship honours.
"We are excited to be taking on the challenge of hosting three SNZ championships in one meeting," said Springs Speedway promoter Bill Buckley. "Everyone is raring to go racing in Auckland again so tonight should be a good spectacle."
Kiwi Kidz quarter midgets will also be on show tonight. Gates open at 4pm with the first race starting at 6.15pm.
