Facing down the Howard 3

22 November, 2017

 


 

As Saturday, 25 November looms, it marks an important date for competitors in the TQ class at Western Springs speedway, as they compete for not only the Auckland champs, but face down the imposing challenge of ‘Howard3 racing’ all the way from Kansas in the good ol’ USA.

So what is a TQ? Originating from humble beginnings as a chopped Austin 7 chassis fitted with a 500cc motorcycle engine, ‘Three Quarter Midgets’ or ‘ TQs’ have evolved a long way since. As the name indicates, they are slightly smaller than a Midget at around 280kgs and 2.8 metres long. The Western Springs lap record is held by Craig Todd at 14.338 seconds, with drivers averaging speeds of around 95kph during races. The majority of cars are now chain driven self-starting machines featuring 750cc engines running on 98 octane gas.


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The visiting ‘Howard3’ comprises twins Nicholas and Matthew, who are 19, and big sister Lindsey age 22.They will arrive and slot themselves straight into some top notch equipment as they compete in both the Auckland title and a special ‘Auckland TQ Challenge’ against three local drivers who will be announced at a function on 23 November at Hanger Bar in Henderson. MCing the event is our own Grumpy Ninja (Warren Sare) who fortunately talks better than he drives.

The Howards will have access to the ex1 Guptill Racing machine, the Le Cren family 14a and the Allwest Racing 5a car, so will have all the tools needed to face down the best of the local stars. Nicholas is noted to have removed the wing off his usual stateside ride in an effort to get use to car behaviour, while Lindsey gave both boys a good hurry up in recent events.

Likely to be in the running for the Auckland team are:

  • 2nz Kaleb Currie Racing — the highest national ranked local driver finishing second in his rookie year at the NZ title
  • 15a and 88a Baker Racing — Ryan and Scott Baker, perennial podium threats at the springs who both have numerous title and feature wins to their names.
  • 16a Ryan Barry Racing — regularly amongst the results and knows the track well 
  • 8a Harris Racing Team — Lawrence Baker, former national and local title holder, and one of the most experienced drivers around (yes … that means he’s old)
  • 64a Gina Harris — class stalwart and sure to want to mix it up with Lindsey to see who gets ladies bragging rights.
  • 6a Shaun Cooke — former national mini sprint champ and always quick around the springs
  • 7a Jayden Busch (Busch Racing) — a Johnny Missen trophy winner who is developing strongly
  • 71a Danny Keene — Keene Composites finished last season strongly and has been quick early in the season.

Join us on the Thursday, 23 November, to the meet the Howards and find out who will be flying the Auckland TQ colours against the challengers. For ticket info see ‘Western Springs Speedway’ on Facebook

The originals – the Ledgerwood Collection

Thanks to Central Otago’s dry climate, it’s no surprise to find that Wanaka couple Jim and Daphne Ledgerwood are steadily developing an incredible collection of amazing coupes. ‘The Originals’ they have are as per factory new condition, and their aim is to keep them for everyone to see how it was done back in the day—pure nostalgia.
An occasional email from Jim usually reveals another gleaming addition. The collectors also have an impressive display of American pickups. It’s our gain and US enthusiasts’ loss, as car agent’s adverts proclaim, “Sorry you missed out. Gone to New Zealand!” Some of Jim and Daphne’s cars are almost part of the family, hence their nicknames.

To finish first, first, you must build a winner

Can-Am royalty
Only three M20s were built, including the car that was destroyed at Road Atlanta. This car was later rebuilt. All three cars were sold at the end of the 1972 season. One of the cars would score another Can-Am victory in 1974, driven by a privateer, but the M20’s day was done. Can-Am racing faded away at the end of that season and was replaced by Formula 5000.
These days the cars are valued in the millions. It was unlikely that I would ever have seen one in the flesh if it hadn’t been that one day my editor asked me if I would mind popping over to Taranaki and having a look at a pretty McLaren M20 that somebody had built in their shed.
That is how I came to be standing by the car owned and built by truck driver Leon Macdonald.