2009-2010 International Midget World Series News
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1/7 News: COONS JNR WINS 50 LAPPER AND SERIES
American Jerry Coons Jnr won his first 50-Lap World Midget Championship on Saturday night at Western Springs Speedway, and in the process also won the 2010 Samsung International World Midget Series. To complete the trifecta, he was also the top individual points scorer in the Ampro Midget Test Series on Wednesday night, picking up the prestigious Herman Tros Memorial Shield for the first time as well.
USAC Triple Crown winner Coons also won another 50 lap World Championship for car owner Danny Lendich, who provided cars for nine-time 50 lap winner Sleep Tripp for so many years at Western Springs. Coons dominated this years World Series with two wins, the first coming on the first night on December 26.
The first caution amazingly came out for this years 50 lapper on lap 41 of 50, with Coons Jnr controlling the lead after passing polesitter Michael Pickens and Michael Kendall. Pickens retired with a broken differential. Kevin Swindell was the big mover in a quality field, having started from grid seventeen. He worked the highline on a flat Western Sprrings surface and worked his way into second behind his compatriot at the chequered flag. Reigning Champ Brad Mosen was running fourth into the final lap and cruely suffered a flat right rear tyre that dropped him back, not only in the results for the 50 in thirteenth, but it also cost him second in the World Series as well.
Coons won from Swindell, with first Kiwi home Michael Kendall in third. Shaun Insley finished fourth, followed by Tony Elliott, Shane Alach, Michael Brunt, Scott Hatton, Bill Clarkson Jnr, and Lance Beale completing the top ten.
Michael Pickens was the top qualifer in the time trials setting a best lap of 14.311 seconds. Lance Beale won the semi-main, while Tony Elliott won the 'B' Dash, and Pickens won the 'A' Dash to start the 50 lapper from pole.
Samsung Midget World Series Points (Top 6): (1) 3USA Jerry Coons Jnr - 127 Points (2) 1USA Kevin Swindell - 83 points (3) 13 Brad Mosen - 78 points (4) 77 Shaun Insley - 70 points (5) 17K Michael Brunt - 69 points (6) 75 Bill Clarkson Jnr - 56 points
Also on a busy night ,enjoyed by a large and enthusiastic crowd, 15 year-old Nick Cassidy won yet another F2 Midget Feature, while NZ TQ Champ Shane O'Connor won his second TQ feature of the season at Western Springs. Second in the TQ feature was former National Champ Paul Le Cren, with Scott Baker in third. Earlier on in the night Brad Curtin won the TQ semi-main, Darren Warren the 'B' Dash, and Le Cren the "A' Dash to start from pole for the TQ feature. After the latest round of the TQ Track Championship, Ross Linklater continues to leads the points chase.
California's Jonathan Allard, fresh from his overall win in The International Sprintcar Series, won his third Sprintcar feature of the season at The Springs, making a stunning late race pass on NZ Champ Dean Brindle. Brindle held on for second, with Ryan O'Connor posting another podium in third to retain the Sprintcar Track Championship points lead. The heats were won by Jamie McDonald, O'Connor and Allard.
The next meeting at Western Springs Speedway is on January 16, featuring the Wynns NZ Sprintcar Grand Prix.
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1/6 News: Coons Jnr Wins 50 Lapper And Series
American Jerry Coons Jnr won his first 50-Lap World Midget Championship on Saturday night at Western Springs Speedway, and in the process also won the 2010 Samsung International World Midget Series. To complete the trifecta, he was also the top individual points scorer in the Ampro Midget Test Series on Wednesday night, picking up the prestigious Herman Tros Memorial Shield for the first time as well.
USAC Triple Crown winner Coons also won another 50 lap World Championship for car owner Danny Lendich, who provided cars for nine-time 50 lap winner Sleep Tripp for so many years at Western Springs. Coons dominated this years World Series with two wins, the first coming on the first night on December 26.
The first caution amazingly came out for this years 50 lapper on lap 41 of 50, with Coons Jnr controlling the lead after passing polesitter Michael Pickens and Michael Kendall. Pickens retired with a broken differential. Kevin Swindell was the big mover in a quality field, having started from grid seventeen. He worked the highline on a flat Western Springs surface and worked his way into second behind his compatriot at the chequered flag. Reigning Champ Brad Mosen was running fourth into the final lap and cruelly suffered a flat right rear tyre that dropped him back, not only in the results for the 50 in thirteenth, but it also cost him second in the World Series as well.
Coons won from Swindell, with first Kiwi home Michael Kendall in third. Shaun Insley finished fourth, followed by Tony Elliott, Shane Alach, Michael Brunt, Scott Hatton, Bill Clarkson Jnr, and Lance Beale completing the top ten.
Michael Pickens was the top qualifier in the time trials setting a best lap of 14.311 seconds. Lance Beale won the semi-main, while Tony Elliott won the 'B' Dash, and Pickens won the 'A' Dash to start the 50 lapper from pole.
Samsung International Midget World Series Points
Final (top 6)
1. Jerry Coons Jr. 127
2. Kevin Swindell 83
3. Brad Mosen 78
4. Shaun Insley 70
5. Michael Brunt 69
6. Bill Clarkson Jr. 56
Also on a busy night, enjoyed by a large and enthusiastic crowd, 15 year-old Nick Cassidy won yet another F2 Midget Feature, while NZ TQ Champ Shane O'Connor won his second TQ feature of the season at Western Springs. Second in the TQ feature was former National Champ Paul Le Cren, with Scott Baker in third. Earlier on in the night Brad Curtin won the TQ semi-main, Darren Warren the 'B' Dash, and Le Cren the "A' Dash to start from pole for the TQ feature. After the latest round of the TQ Track Championship, Ross Linklater continues to leads the points chase.
California's Jonathan Allard, fresh from his overall win in The International Sprintcar Series, won his third Sprintcar feature of the season at The Springs, making a stunning late race pass on NZ Champ Dean Brindle. Brindle held on for second, with Ryan O'Connor posting another podium in third to retain the Sprintcar Track Championship points lead. The heats were won by Jamie McDonald, O'Connor and Allard.
The next meeting at Western Springs Speedway is on January 16, featuring the Wynns NZ Sprintcar Grand Prix.
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Mosen Wins King of The Springs Feature
2 Jan 2010
New Zealand's Brad Mosen won an action packed and controversial third round of the Samsung International Midget World Series on Saturday night, Jan. 2.
A stunning race saw Mosen, Shane Alach, Michael Pickens, IMWS points leader Jerry Coons Jnr, and Kevin Swindell all racing wheel to wheel on a surface ideal for side by side Midget action. With positions constantly changing at both ends of the racetrack on at least three lanes, it came down to Pickens and Mosen making a last lap run to the chequered flag for the win. Into turn one, Mosen went to the inside of Pickens, with the pair making contact, which then saw the Pickens machine roll over and out of the race. Mosen managed to continue on, but went to the infield after mistaking a ROF (rear of the field) board for off. After some time, Mosen was restarted and retook the lead for the restart, albeit running 'under protest' under Speedway NZ rules. Mosen led the final run to the flag for the win from Alach, and Swindell. Points leader Coons Jnr finished fourth, ahead of a stellar effort from Midget rookie Hayden Williams, and another strong run for Michael Brunt in sixth. After some post race deliberation from the SNZ officials, Mosen was announced as the winner.
Earlier on in the night the Western Springs Team won the Ampro Tools Midget Test Series versus the World Select Team 2 - 1. The total points were Western Springs 85 to The World Selects 80. American Jerry Coons Jnr was the top individual points scorer from the three tests, winning the Herman Tros Memorial Shield. The three tests were won by Tony Elliott, Scott Hatton, and Michael Pickens. The other non test heats were won by Michael Kendall, Dave Gick, and Hayden Williams.
Mark Browne won his second ever Western Springs Sprint car feature, followed by Carl Wilson, and Alan Wakeling. The two heats were won by Havard Daniels and Browne.
The four TQ heats on the night were won by Chris Gwilliam, Nevano Cowan, Anton Johnson, and Paul le Cren. The feature race from tonight's heat races will be raced on January 6 as part of the 50 lap Midget Final night.
40-Lap King of the Springs Midget Feature: (1) 13 Brad Mosen (2) 11 Shane Alach (3) 1USA Kevin Swindell
Samsung International Midget World Series Points (after 3 rounds)
1. Jerry Coons Jr. 90
2. Brad Mosen 68
3. Michael Brunt 53
4. Kevin Swindell 52
5. Shaun Insley 48
6. Bill Clarkson Jr. 42
7. Brendan Palmer 41
8. Dave Gick 38
9. Michael Pickens 37
10. Scott Hatton 33
Sprint car Feature: (1) 21 Mark Browne (2) 56 Carl Wilson (3) 27 Alan Wakeling
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TV3's Video highlights of Round 3 more...
Test Match Results
New Zealand's Michael Kendall wins pole shuffel for 40 lap King of Springs Feature.
Third Test- Michale Pickens, Shane Alach, Jerry Coons Jr., Kevin Swindell, Brad Mosen.
Second Test- Scott Hatton, Shane Alach, Brad Mosen, Kevin Swindell, Shaun Insley
First Test- Tony Elliott, Scott Buckley, Jerry Coons Jr., Shaun Insley.
International Midget World Series Points (after two rounds)
1. Jerry Coons Jr. 68
2. Shaun Insley 48
3. Michael Pickens 37
4. Michael Brunt 36
5. Brad Mosen 31
6. Brendan Palmer 30
12/30 News: Unofficial top 5 from Round 2 World Darby 30- Michael Pickens, Jerry Coons Jr., Shaun Insley, Michael Brunt and Brandon Palmer.
Test mathces set for Jan. 2
The Western Springs Midget Team to face up against the World Select Team has been announced.
The two teams will race a series of Test matches on January 2 at Western Springs Speedway.
Western Springs Team
Michael Pickens (Captain) #54 GVI / Nichibo Breka Esslinger
Shane Alach #11 Parker Store / HPM Spike Esslinger
Brad Mosen #13 Big Ben Pies Aggressor Hawk
Scott Buckley #25 Iscar Pacific / BSL Aggressor Sesco Mopar
Shaun Insley #77 United Truck Parts Spike Mopar
World Select Team
Jerry Coons Jnr (Captain) #3USA Wendys Spike Esslinger
Kevin Swindell #1USA Petty Driving Experience Spike Hawk
Tony Elliott #2USA Ampro Tools Aggressor Gaerte
Scott Hatton #15USA Midas Breka Mopar
Brendan Palmer #41AUS Super Geek.com.au Breka Ed Pink Ford
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ALLARD AND PICKENS WIN AT SPRINGS
30 Dec 2009
California's Jonathan Allard won the second round of the International Sprintcar Series and arguably one of the best Sprintcar features ever seen at Western Springs Speedway on Wednesday night (Dec. 30), while NZ's own Michael Pickens won his third 30-Lap Midget World Derby in front of another big Holiday crowd at The Springs.
Allard wowed the crowd with one of the best passes ever seen at The Springs on Kiwi youngster Ryan O'Connor late in the 25 lap Sprintcar feature for his win, also maintaining the International Series lead after two rounds. O'Connor had worked his way to the front after initially dropping back to seventh not long after the start of what would become a quite amazing race. American star Sammy Swindell was an early casualty after running into the back of National Champ Dean Brindle off the start, eventually succumbing to a flat left front tyre. Another American, Ricky Logan also led early but also was a victim of a flat tyre, this time a left rear. O'Connor worked the bottom of a tough rain affected Western Springs surface, while Allard worked the top line though lapped traffic.
The Sprintcar heat race wins were won by O'Connor, Brindle, Swindell, and Greg Pickerill.
Brad Mosen led for the majority of the prestigious 41st 30-Lap World Midget Derby, chased initially by the likes of USAC star Jerry Coons Jnr, Michael Pickens, Kevin Swindell, Shane Alach, Lance Beale, and Shaun Insley. Swindell flipped out of the race on an unforgiving race track which had seen a lot of rain the previous night, while Alach was another casualty after a clash with Lance Beale. Mosen seemingly had control of the race, able to drive away from the rest at ease, until cruel luck robbed the Kiwi of just about certain victory when a rod end broke, breaking the rear suspension on the Big Ben Pies #13 Hawk Aggressor. Mosen's race was over, but his bad luck was another Kiwi's good luck as Michael Pickens had earlier passed Coons Jnr for what was then second place, but now the lead after Mosens demise. Pickens held on for his third World Derby victory ahead of Coons Jnr and former NZ Champ Shaun Insley. The heats were won by Coons, Mosen, Pickens, and Lance Beale.
Heading to Palmerston North and Wellington for rounds three and four of the International Sprintcar Series on Jan. 1 and 2, Jonathan Allard leads that points chase, while Jerry Coons Jnr leads the Samsung Midget World Series with two rounds left to go at The Springs on Jan. 2 and Jan. 6.
Chris Gwilliam won his first TQ feature of the season ahead of Track Championship points leader Ross Linklater, and another former NZ Champ Paul Le Cren. Linklater's fifth consecutive podium for the 09/10 Ampro Tools season sees him extend his points lead. Earlier on in the night, Shane O'Connor won two of the heats, with the other two won by Linklater and Gwilliam.
Feature Results
TQ's - (1) 98 Chris Gwilliam (2) 56 Ross Linklater (3) 14 Paul Le Cren
Midget 30 lap Derby - (1) 54 Michael Pickens (2) 3USA Jerry Coons Jnr (3) 77 Shaun Insley
Intl. Sprintcars Rnd 2 - (1) 0USA Jonathan Allard (2) 8 Ryan O'Connor (3) 1NZ Dean Brindle
International Midget World Series Point Standings 12/28
1. Jerry Coons Jr. 30
2. Brad Mosen 25
3. Kevin Swindell 21
4. Shaun Insley 18
5. Scott Hatton 16
6. Lance Beale 15
7. Michael Kendall 14
8. Wayne Green 13
9. Michael Brunt 12
10. Dave Gick 11
11. Bill Clarkson Jr. 10
12. Brendan Palmer 9
13. Hayden Williams 8
14. Mark Mullins 7
15. Phillipa Melrose 6
16. Robbie Kerr 5
17. Scott Buckley DNF
18. Shane Alach DNF
19. Michael Pickens DNF
20. Tony Elliott DNF
Check out the TV3 video highlights of Round 1 of the International Midget World Series more....
Dec. 26
American stars Jerry Coons Jnr and Jonathan Allard won the opening rounds of the Samsung International Midget World Series and the International Sprintcar Series respectively, at Western Springs Speedway on Boxing night in front of a massive Holiday crowd. It was certainly one of the biggest crowds seen at The Springs for many years, with lots of action and incidents to keep the eager fans entertained.
Reigning Australian Midget Champion Kevin Swindell was the top qualifier for the World Select group from the Midget qualifying heats, while Kiwi Scott Buckley topped the Western Springs Qualifying group. Swindell decided to start from the inside row as the overall top qualifier, with the World Group making up the inside grids in qualifying order, while the Western Springs group lined up on the outside row, also in qualifying order from the heats. Earlier on in the night, the four heats were won by Buckley, Swindell, Michael Pickens, and USAC Triple Crown winner Jerry Coons Jnr. With three feature wins already this season at The Springs, Pickens would start from grid ten in the feature, after struggling in his first heat with a ninth place finish.
Buckley went into the early lead of the 25 lap feature chased by Swindell, Coons Jnr, and Brad Mosen. Coons Jnr worked his way to the front with a couple of great passes, and was then never headed for the balance of the race. The Wendys #3USA Spike Esslinger was working anywhere on the racetrack, and Coons Jnr was simply too good for the rest on the night. Pre series favourite Pickens was an early retirement, making contact with the main straight fence after something broke on the #54 GVI Breka.
Swindell and Mosen traded slide jobs in a furious battle for second place as Coons controlled the pace out front. Swindell moved into second, but was struggling with a down on power Hawk engine. The Graham team had been chasing some issues right throughout the night with the #1 Australia Spike. National Champ Shane Alach was on a charge into fourth, but retired to the infield soon after, with a lump of clay turning the fuel tap off on the #11 Parker Store Spike! Mosen then got by Swindell on the final lap for second, but out front Coons Jnr took the chequered flag and the victory. Behind Coons, Mosen and Swindell, Shaun Insley finished fourth, followed by Scott Hatton, Lance Beale, Michael Kendall, Michael Brunt, and Dave Gick making up the top ten.
California’s Jonathan Allard came back to The Springs on a mission for the opening round of the International Sprintcar Series, after being excluded for noise at the Sprintcar Classic earlier in the season. Three - time World of Outlaws Champion and Sprintcar Legend Sammy Swindell however would prove to be the man to beat after some stunning heat race action. Swindell set a 12.0 second lap in his first heat win, setting one of the fastest laps seen at Western Springs in a Sprintcar for two seasons. The other heat wins went to Jamie McDonald, Allard, and former NZ TQ Champ Ryan O’Connor.
Swindell moved to the front early on in the feature, chased initially by Allard McDonald, and O’Connor. In just four laps the American was into lapped traffic, closely pursued by Allard. O’Connor got around McDonald, and was right with Allard in lapped traffic. Swindell looked more than comfortable out front, but then a late race restart gave Allard the opportunity he needed, moving by Swindell on the inside in more lapped traffic. Allard was right on the edge, but knew he had to make some big passes to try and keep ahead of the Salter Cartage #7USA Maxim. Allard took a hard fought win ahead of Swindell and O’Connor, with Alan Wakeling fourth, followed by NZ Champ Dean Brindle, and 3NZ Greg Pickerill.
Ross Linklater won his second TQ feature of the season, ahead of Lawrence Baker, and Brock Maskovich. Linklater also takes over the points lead for the Track Championship, with previous joint point’s leader Shane O’Connor crashing out spectacularly in a triple TQ flip which also involved Harris team mates Gina Harris and Shaun Cooke.
The next meeting at Western Springs on Wednesday night December 30, features round two of the Samsung International Midget World Series, and the International Sprintcar Series.
You can also listen to the full race commentaries of the Midget and Sprintcar Features at www.thedirttrackchannel.com.
TQ Feature - (1) 56 Ross Linklater, (2) 15 Lawrence Baker, (3) 3NZ Brock Maskovich
Samsung 25 Lap Midget Feature - (1) 3USA Jerry Coons Jnr, (2) 13 Brad Mosen, (3) 1AUS Kevin Swindell
Intl. Sprintcar Feature - (1) 0UA Jonathan Allard, (2) 7USA Sammy Swindell, (3) 8 Ryan O'Connor
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25-lap feature Round 1, Top 5
1. Jerry Coons Jr.
2. Brad Mosen
3. Kevin Swindell
4. Shaun Insley
5. Scott Hatton
6. Lance Beale
7. Michael Kendall
8. Wayne Green
9. Michael Brunt
10. Dave Gick
