Photo: Shane O'Connor who leads the Triple Crown SeriesShane O’Connor clinched a well deserved but somewhat fortuitous victory in round two of the Triple Crown series at AmPro Tools Woodford Glen Speedway in Canterbury on Saturday night.
The smart money seemed to be on the much hyped pairing of Jerry Coons Jnr and Micheal Pickens who had dominated round one the previous night at Ruapuna Speedway, finishing first and second.
The dominant pairing looked ominous as they lined up, side by side on the front row for the feature. If there was any physiological advantage it would sit with the American who had beaten the Kiwi hot shot in the pole.
Stratford’s Duane Hickman and O’Connor sat on the second row for the feature while Nevil Basalaj, Alvin Cobb and Scott Buckley had all been impressive in qualifying and where handy enough to strike.
The feature was filled with drama before it had actually begun. Coons Jr and Pickens made contact in turn one, lap one, the Kiwi spinning to a halt before being tagged by Nick Marquet. Before the yellows could be put on Gavin Wilkie and Buckley got tangled up out of turn two.
Thankfully everyone was able to continue although Coons Jnr and Wilkie were deemed to be at fault and sent to the back on the restart. Unfortunitly when the lights went green it was only for three quarters of a lap as Marquet and Kerr tangled, ending the night for both drivers.
Finally, on the following restart the race got under way with Pickens jumping straight to the lead but another genuine chance disappeared when Basalaj pulled infield with an engine misfire.
As the race developed past the half way point Pickens had built a comfortable lead over O’Connor and for the first time all night Standring had his car sorted and was charging hard but was still some distance from second. Hickman was disappointing after promising so much earlier in the night and Coons Jnr hadn’t managed to come through the field, sitting sixth. It was later found out he had a slow leaking puncture.
With just three laps to go Pickens seemed home but then the race was turned on its head when he suddenly pulled infield, heartbreakingly close to victory.
“Obviously we were leading then there was a massive problem in the motor. I’m not exactly sure what it is yet but it’s very disappointing,” Pickens said.
O’Connor inherited the lead and held is nerve for three laps to take victory over Standring, Buckley, Hickman and Coons Jnr back in fifth.
“It was a tough battle all race but when I saw Pickens pull in that was a shock, I just had to block it out and concentrate on keeping the car straight, nursing it through to the flag. We had run out of brakes about half way through the race,” an excited O’Connor said after the victory.
It wasn’t just the round victory that O’Connor and the Vernon and Vasey crew had to celebrate. He now leads the series before the final round on his home track this Saturday at Western Springs.
Coons Jnr was disappointed with Saturday’s result but still enjoyed his time in Canterbury.
“It didn’t go our way tonight but that’s racing, it’s just great to come down to the South Island and put a show on for the fans,” Coons Jr said after the feature.
Arguably the highlight of the night came in the pole shuffle where Buckley and Cobb both spun coming out of turn four, then both recovered in a synchronized effort that would have looked more at home in rhythmic gymnastics than midget racing. Both drivers got a huge cheer from the crowd.
