Michael Pickens
Michael Pickens (born 7 January 1983) is a racecar driver from Birkenhead near Auckland, New Zealand. Michael is a part-time auto racing driver part-time auto electrician. He has won races and championships in New Zealand, Australia, and United States in Quarter midgets, 3/4 Midgets, Midgets, Sprint cars and Karts.
In 2005, Michael competed at the Chili Bowl midget car race at Tulsa, Oklahoma. He won Rookie of the Year honors with an outstanding drive from 19th starting position to a race ending 6th place finish. He was noticed by some key people at NASCAR NEXTEL Cup's Roush Racing. While not having prior experience on pavement, as there are no pavement ovals in New Zealand, Michael did compete in the Roush's Driver Development Competition Program. He made it to the final round of competition.
Michael's regular rides in New Zealand are Don Kay’s Breka/Ed Pink Ford #54 Midget and Gerard Ness Schee #11C Sprint car and in Australia and the USA is Hawk Racing. For the 2010 - 2011 Michael's regular Australian drive will be with Jack Berry's Polar Ice Team. Competing in the Queensland Polar Ice Series and the Speedcar Super Series with this team In the middle of the 2007 U.S. season, he raced for Ken Hendricks’ American Speed Association Late Model Team, Urban Force Racing, mainly at Madison International Speedway. He left the team in July (being replaced by Dan Lensing) near the middle of the season, and began running a mixture of midget and pavement car races for various owners.
In the 2008 U.S. racing season, he raced a midget car weekly at Angell Park Speedway and the #30 car in ASA Late Model Series events.
New Zealand Titles
Winner of the 2002/03, 2006/07, 2009/10 and 2011/12 NZ Midget Championships
Winner of the 2001/02, 2007/08 and 2009/10 NZ Miget Grand Prix
Winner of the 2002/03 and 2008/09 North Island Midget Championships
Winner of the 2006/07, 2007/08, 2010/11 (deadheat) and 2011/12 World Midget 50 Lapper
Winner of the 2002/03 and 2005/06 30 Lap World Midget Derby