In Friday night’s races, Pickens won all three races to top group C, while team-mate Scott Buckley took two seconds and a win to top group D.

Starting from grid 15 in the opening heat on Saturday, Pickens steadily moved the Auckland SsangYong backed #7 Breka/Esslinger forward to claim ninth place, while Buckley moved forward from his starting place of 19, only to spin late in the race and he recovered to 17th.

Heat two saw Pickens start from fifth and he moved forward early to claim second, while Buckley started the Iscar backed #25 Spike/Esslinger mid pack, eventually coming home in eighth.

The third and final heat to determine grids was going to plan for BSL Racing, with Pickens, starting from grid eleven, moving up to second behind Buckley, the pair dominating the race until two back markers got together and Buckley was left with nowhere to go, making contact and ending his race. Pickens carried on to claim victory, and pole position for the winner takes all final.

With Pickens on pole, all that stood between him and his fourth title was 25 laps of the Huntly circuit. Pickens became involved in a huge battle with Brad Mosen, the pair swapping the lead on every lap, until Mosen cracked and hit the wall rolling. When the race re-started, Pickens was untouchable and remained unchallenged to the flag to claim his fourth national midget title. Buckley worked his way into the mid-pack until undiscovered damage from the previous heat meant he was forced to retire.

BSL Racing now focus their attention on the international series at Western Springs, starting on 26 December.

Press Release by BB Media