By Shaun Summerfield
Top New Zealand speedway drivers Michael Pickens and Brad Mosen are red hot and ready to take on the Chili Bowl – the biggest midget car race in the world.
After an impressive final shakedown the pair have given their unconventional V8-powered machines the green light for January’s big race in Oklahoma.
The all-black cars dominated the heats at Huntly speedway in their final shakedown before being shipped to the US, for January's Chilibowl in Oklahoma.
The all-Kiwi built cars are not your usual midgets because the conventional four-cylinder engine has been replaced by a small and extremely powerful New Zealand-designed and built V8.
The main challenge was staying out of trouble – a big crash this close to the Chili Bowl could end the campaign.
For most of the race though their only company was each other as Mosen and Pickens left the field behind.
But it was not the perfect night - Shane Alach caught the pair after a safety period, Pickens barged past to win but was relegated to second.
Now they will swap Huntly's cowbells for the oil wells of Tulsa and begin the challenge to become the first overseas drivers to win the biggest midget race of them all.
3 News