Larsen coasts to sprintcar title
It took all the fuel he had, and fumes after that, for Kapiti’s Jamie Larsen to make New Zealand speedway history.
The 24-year-old became the first person to hold two national titles simultaneously, after winning the New Zealand sprintcar title at Christchurch’s Ruapuna Speedway last month.
Fourteen other drivers have won multiple speedway titles, but have never held them at the same time.
Larsen, from Paraparaumu, already held the minisprint title, which goes on the line again at Wellington’s Te Marua Speedway on February 11.
His Christchurch victory was made more remarkable after he ran out of fuel on the 25th and final lap, and coasted over the line.
‘‘It did a big cough and splutter going through the last turn,’’ he said.
‘‘Another lap and it would’ve been all over.’’
Overnight rain and drizzle through the day threatened the meet. It also meant a high number of cautions in the feature race, meaning Larsen used more fuel than he usually would.
Jonathan Allard from the US was second and Auckland’s Jamie McDonald third in the field of 35.
Larsen, a Paraparaumu College old boy, started the feature race third on the grid, behind Allard and Jamie Duff, but dropped to fifth.
With five laps to go he took the risky high line, about 30 centi- metres in from the concrete wall, to hit the front.
Duff was disqualified after he had to restart the race twice, which is not permitted under championship rules.
Larsen said he was expecting to take the crown.
‘‘It was pretty cool. I was pretty surprised,’’ he said.
‘‘I was always hoping for a podium. Top three was always on the cards.’’
He said those in his his pit crew, his parents, partner and representatives from MacBuilt Engineering, who own the car, not were all excited.
‘‘They were all pretty happy. My partner was in tears.’’
Larsen’s goal is to race in the United States.
He said winning a big meet stateside can earn the driver up to $150,000, where the figure in New Zealand is about $3500.
‘‘Sprintcar racing in the states is huge. It’s kind of like a full-time job.’’