The Cards fall Pickens way in NMCS round 2

11/9/08, 7:55 PM

The Cards fall Pickens way in NMCS round 2

NMCS PR, Auckland NZ, November 10, 2008 - An old motorsport adage says something like “if you can’t be great be lucky” and midgeteer Michael Pickens may well have been reflecting on a certain amount of luck after winning the NMCS feature at Western Springs last Saturday night.

After dominating the feature field for the opening 11 laps, crowd favourite Shane Alach crashed out of his second straight NMCS feature, effectively giving the win to Pickens. Still coming to grips with his new Esslinger powered car, Pickens assumed domination of the field and recorded his first feature win this season. Before this excitement the race looked to belong to the in form Alach, set a new one lap record in his first heat before hooking a rut left from an earlier incident and rolling his racer in the feature.

The points chase is now led by the evergreen and popular Lance Beale, who celebrated his birthday with a second feature placing, finally wearing down Carl Worboys with two laps to go. Second in points is Carl Worboys. Last weeks winner, Brad Mosen was consigned to the spectator benches after the drivey track showed it had teeth, resulting in a series of rolls and firm contact with an unyielding concrete wall. A relieved crowd showed its appreciation after Mosen climbed from the wreckage shaken but unhurt.

Running fourth was Shaun Insley, having laid some first night demons to rest, and Bill Clarkson proved consistent as ever. Newcomer from the TQ ranks Chris McCutcheon attracted the pundits attention with a flamboyant “backing in” driving style which promises entertainment to come. Tony Fabish was another to fall victim to the drivey track with a minor mechanical failure while running strongly.

Angus McCleod continued his familiarization with the quick looking Synergy V8 while another crowd favourite, Graham Standring had one of those forgettable nights, finishing with a hard won 8th place after battling back from 21st on the grid. Veteran Michael Kendall and Michael Brunt both fell victim to minor mechanical problems

Alvin Cobb served notice that he will be one to watch after running away with his first heat race, out qualifying some of the bigger guns to start the feature from grid 4. Perhaps it was the unaccustomed pressure of a front of pack grid position which saw Cobb have an unfortunate first lap which saw him lose a number of positions to finish 10th, at least over writing the DNF of last week. Another newcomer to the full midget ranks, Lance Fox, had a good meeting in the #27, filling in for a still injured Mark Oudney, while Nick James, Scott Buckley, Jason’s Bunyan and Bunney and Andrew Stuart rounded out the minor placings.

The Series will now move into stock car heartland, the Manawatu!, November 22nd will see theInaugural Manawatu Midget Car Classic at Palmerston North’s Arena Manawatu

11/9/08, 7:55 PM	#1 The Cards fall Pickens way in NMCS round 2
NMCS Posts: n/a	The Cards fall Pickens way in NMCS round 2 NMCS PR, Auckland NZ, November 10, 2008 - An old motorsport adage says something like “if you can’t be great be lucky” and midgeteer Michael Pickens may well have been reflecting on a certain amount of luck after winning the NMCS feature at Western Springs last Saturday night. After dominating the feature field for the opening 11 laps, crowd favourite Shane Alach crashed out of his second straight NMCS feature, effectively giving the win to Pickens. Still coming to grips with his new Esslinger powered car, Pickens assumed domination of the field and recorded his first feature win this season. Before this excitement the race looked to belong to the in form Alach, set a new one lap record in his first heat before hooking a rut left from an earlier incident and rolling his racer in the feature. The points chase is now led by the evergreen and popular Lance Beale, who celebrated his birthday with a second feature placing, finally wearing down Carl Worboys with two laps to go. Second in points is Carl Worboys. Last weeks winner, Brad Mosen was consigned to the spectator benches after the drivey track showed it had teeth, resulting in a series of rolls and firm contact with an unyielding concrete wall. A relieved crowd showed its appreciation after Mosen climbed from the wreckage shaken but unhurt. Running fourth was Shaun Insley, having laid some first night demons to rest, and Bill Clarkson proved consistent as ever. Newcomer from the TQ ranks Chris McCutcheon attracted the pundits attention with a flamboyant “backing in” driving style which promises entertainment to come. Tony Fabish was another to fall victim to the drivey track with a minor mechanical failure while running strongly. Angus McCleod continued his familiarization with the quick looking Synergy V8 while another crowd favourite, Graham Standring had one of those forgettable nights, finishing with a hard won 8th place after battling back from 21st on the grid. Veteran Michael Kendall and Michael Brunt both fell victim to minor mechanical problems Alvin Cobb served notice that he will be one to watch after running away with his first heat race, out qualifying some of the bigger guns to start the feature from grid 4. Perhaps it was the unaccustomed pressure of a front of pack grid position which saw Cobb have an unfortunate first lap which saw him lose a number of positions to finish 10th, at least over writing the DNF of last week. Another newcomer to the full midget ranks, Lance Fox, had a good meeting in the #27, filling in for a still injured Mark Oudney, while Nick James, Scott Buckley, Jason’s Bunyan and Bunney and Andrew Stuart rounded out the minor placings. The Series will now move into stock car heartland, the Manawatu!, November 22nd will see theInaugural Manawatu Midget Car Classic at Palmerston North’s Arena Manawatu