Shane van Gisbergen will make his Speedway return in New Zealand at Western Springs this evening as he gets behind the wheel of Annette and Brian Theobald’s United Truck Parts #97 Sprintcar.
It’s the Kiwi’s first speedway outing in the country since the 2022/23 season following his move to the United States to compete in the NASCAR Xfinity Series.
The three-time Xfinity Series race winner is only one driver amongst a star-studded Sprintcar field at Western Springs, which includes former New Zealand Champion and ten-time Midget Champion Michael Pickens.
Also in the mix is American Jonathan Allard and Porsche Sprint Challenge Australia podium-placer Ayrton Hodson, who returns to his Sprintcar roots for the summer aboard the 99M machine.
A massive 31 Midget drivers will compete in the ‘BT Race 4 Mates’, held in honour of Bryce Townsend and raising “Mental Health Awareness within our Speedway community, whilst doing what Bryce loved.”
Townsend was a two-time New Zealand Champion in the TQ grade, and was runner-up in the 2003/04 Midget Championship.
Current New Zealand Champion Brad Mosen, 2NZ Brock Maskovich, and 3NZ Mitch Fabish are all in action, as is American star Ethan Mitchell, who will get some valuable track time in ahead of the International Midget Series which begins at the same venue on Boxing Day.
Australian Zoe Pearce is another overseas driver getting track time ahead of the International Series.
Former New Zealand champions Pickens, Hayden Williams, and Peter Hunnibell are included in the field.
Mosen and his team Greenway Racing have also listed a signed race suit for sale on TradeMe, with the current bid sitting at $2,500. All proceeds from the sale will go to Mental Health awareness.
The BT30 for TQ Midgets will follow a unique format, with the top qualifier from the 25-strong field choosing who starts in front of them, and each driver will follow suit, picking their positions until the lineup is set.
Hunnibell will also compete in the TQ, but has strong competition from the likes of Kayden Barker, Dylan Cooke, and Reagan Edwards, among others.
Complimenting the blockbuster Sprintcar, Midget and TQ schedule is the Kiwikidz grade.
Gates at Western Springs open at 3 pm, with the first race at 5.45 pm.
The meeting can be viewed live via a paid stream available through The Pits Media.
SVG Sprintcar Schedule
| December 14 | Western Springs |
| December 26 | Western Springs* |
| December 28 | Baypark* |
| December 30 | Baypark* |
| January 1 | Waikaraka Park* |
| January 2 | Western Springs* |
| January 4 | Western Springs |
* Event is also a round of Midget World Series
It was bloody awesome seeing the Giz just nail it last night. Looking forward to the rest of the season, but sadly, the last.