Auckland-based Pickens got his campaign for the prestigious title off to a perfect start when he won his opening heat from grid nine and backed that up with a second heat win from grid eight, giving him a perfect score to qualify on pole for the feature race, which awarded qualifying points towards Saturday night’s meeting.

Starting from pole, Pickens cleared out early, however a yellow, mixed with a vibration from a loosening rear brake rotor allowed the field to keep with Pickens, who was nursing the car enough to stay in front without wrecking the car’s driveline, the originally suspected cause of the vibration that the brake rotor caused.

Heading to the second meeting the following night at Western Springs, Pickens needed only to finish both heats to make the field for the feature race.  He did this in style, taking third in his first heat after starting eighth, then off grid six took victory in his second and final heat.

The unique way of determining grids saw defending Barry Butterworth classic champion Michael Kendall start off grid 20, with choice of the car to start from grid 19. Seeing Pickens as his biggest threat, he picked the Aucklander to start beside him, with Pickens choosing Jerry Coons Jr. to start in front of him.

Pickens made a conservative start but by quarter race distance was the fastest car on the quarter mile track as he chased down race leader Coons. A yellow flag with seven laps to go closed the gap, but a car that was tightening up was exaggerated under the caution.

With five laps to run, Pickens pulled out a huge slide job on Coons, although the American went back underneath the Kiwi on the exit and Pickens was unable to mount another attack, being forced to settle for second place.

Press Release by BB Media