An American 17-year-old being referred to internationally as a racing prodigy stole the national sprintcar title from New Zealand drivers at the Central Motor Speedway last weekend.
Michael "Buddy" Kofoid had won a string of titles in the United States, and drove a "great race" to win the New Zealand Sprintcar Title in Cromwell on Saturday, speedway head grade representative Jeannine Cunningham said.
Kofoid had top Auckland driver Jamie Larson "right on his tail" during the final, but then Larson received a yellow flag caution and Kofoid "literally kicked up another gear and just took off. There was no way of catching him", Mrs Cunningham said.
Kofoid, who is based in California, was brought over to New Zealand by Te Anau driver Daniel Anderson, who races sprintcars in the US and Canada.
Kofoid races for Doug Rutz in North America, and Rutz and his engine builder, Jim Richmond, came over to New Zealand from Canada. Rutz is accompanying Kofoid throughout his stay in New Zealand, and a combined crew looked after the vehicles of Kofoid and Anderson in Cromwell.
Speedway promoter and champion sprintcar driver Jason Scott said before the race it was exciting to have Kofoid competing.
In the US, Kofoid was beginning to be known as a "racing prodigy", but his composure and good nature were as much of a talking point as his age and abilities, Scott said.
"He’s a class act. He’s just all style."
Kofoid said in his acceptance speech at Cromwell that he would like to come back to New Zealand, Mrs Cunningham said.
• The next Central Otago Speedway meet is the Daryl Ainsley Memorial Meeting, on March 22-23.
