New Zealand’s Brad Mosen has taken an early advantage in the battle for the POWRi World Midget Championship event at Ausdeck Patios Archerfield Speedway with a faultless drive to victory in the preliminary feature last night (January 24). Starting from the outside front row alongside pre-race favourite and top qualifier Bryan Clauson, Mosen shot to the front from the outset and led the American throughout the 25-lap event. Clausen narrowed the margin at various times but was never close enough to launch a serious bid for the lead and has to settle for a runner-up finish on this occasion to consolidate his position atop the championship standings.

In a result that saw overseas drivers whitewash the first six placings, Kiwi Michael Pickens finished in third spot ahead of California’s Darren Hagen, with another pair of New Zealanders in Chris Gwilliam and Peter Hunnibell rounding out the top six.
The first Aussie home in seventh spot was Matt Smith, followed by Nathan Smee, Anthony Chaffey, Darren Vine and national champ Adam Clarke, while Rusty Whittaker, Brock Dean and Brett Thomas were the only others to complete the distance.

Michael Kendall was in strong form throughout the heats, only to have his feature race challenge end on lap 4 when he stopped in turn one and subsequently headed infield. Others who failed to finish included Michael Stewart and a couple of young guns in Tyler Thomas and West Aussie Kaiden Manders.

On a night that produced some ferocious racing a hooky track fuelled by heavy rainfall in the days prior to the event, there was action aplenty throughout qualifying. In fact, there was drama as early as hot laps when Vine tipped over in turn four. Clausen staked his claim early in the night when he cut the quickest lap in time trials, edging out Hunnibell, Brett Thomas, Hagen and Mosen. Clarke, Manders and Smith were next best ahead of Troy Ware, who looked on track for a good result until lady luck intervened, with Hayden Williams completing the top ten.

Heat wins in the opening round were shared between Kendall, Vine and Leon Burgess, whose night ended in spectacular fashion with a wild ride through turn four in his next outing.

The second round of heats saw Vine complete a remarkable recovery from his hot laps blunder to collect another win and secure a spot in the feature field. Tyler Thomas and Mosen were also victorious.
The final round kicked off with Whittaker besting Pickens to win heat seven, while heat eight produced action aplenty, including a four-car melee in turn one that saw both Ware and Hunnibell get upside down. When Hayden Williams stopped and headed infield while leading, Dean took control of the race for a good win. It was another local who proved too strong in the final heat with Chaffey edging out McCutcheon.

Having been bounced around by all and sundry on the opening lap and shuffled back as far as sixth, Tyler Thomas drove splendidly to recover and surge through the field to win the B Main. Michael Stewart almost threw away the final transfer spot when he ran wide on the final corner before recovering to keep Mark Brown at bay and out of the feature.

Rob Stewart was untroubled in winning the Compact Speedcar feature race, finishing ahead of Emma Harris, Kyle Collins, Wyane Corbett and Bryan Schmoll.

In the Wingless Sprint feature that saw some argy bargy between the leading pair of Shane Heathcote and Neil Howard that ultimately put both drivers out of contention, it was Brant Chandler who ultimately prevailed over David Eggins, Rob Hamilton, Paul Robinson and Adam Butler.

The action continues tonight at Ausdeck Patios Archerfield Speedway with more marvellous Midget action in the POWRi World Championship that will include a final round of heats, pole shootout, B Main and 40-lap feature race. Also on the program are Lightning Sprints, Formula 500s, AMCA Nationals, Stockcars and the crazy Caravan, Boat and Dunny Derby.