BSL Racing’s challenge north the North Island Midget title ended in disappointment with Scott Buckley having mechanical dramas that prevented him from making the feature race, while Pickens got caught up in a first lap incident that took him out.
Both drivers were put in the same group for heat races, with Buckley starting from grid three in the opening heat race, while Pickens started from grid seven.
Buckley raced into an early lead on a greasy track, only to spin on lap six. With four laps remaining, Buckley was able to restart but was unable to progress from the back of the field. Pickens meanwhile had a clean run to drive the Auckland SsangYong 1NZ Esslinger powered Breka to fourth place.
The pair’s next race was heat three, with Pickens off grid six and Buckley in the Iscar #25 Spike Esslinger off grid ten. However there was near disaster when Pickens was hit by a competitor behind, spinning three cars, while Buckley also got hit by a spinning car, but no damage was done to either car. Pickens was able to get a restart and took his original grid and took second, however Buckley suffered engine problems and recorded a DNF.
Although he attempted the Semi-main, the engine troubles continued and Buckley was unable to qualify for the feature race.
Pickens qualified fourth for the feature race and on the start went straight to the highline and was in second as the cars exited turn one, however a chain reaction of slowing cars saw Pickens pushed from behind into the car in front which launched the current New Zealand Midget champion in to a spectacular series of roll-overs. Thankfully Pickens walked away uninjured..
The BSL Racing team now prepare for the Western Springs season finale on March 3.
