MIDGET CAR VOGUE

New Zealand Herald, Volume LXXII, Issue 22166, 20 July 1935, Page 10 (Supplement)

MIDGET CAR VOGUE

ENTHUSIASM IN AUCKLAND SEVERAL MODELS BEING BUILT Midget car racing, which has proved exceptionally popular in England, the United States and Australia, will be introduced in Auckland this year, as several of theso miniaturo models jure in course of construction at present. They are all single-seater cars and will bo powered by motor-cycle engines. A particularly interesting model is one incorporating front-wheel drive which is being made by G. C. Smith, the well-known motor racing driver who has driven his Koosevclt and a single-seater supercharged Austin Seven with success in Auckland. The car is being constructed by Mr. Smith from oddments from other cars. The frontwheel drive has presented problems but so far they have been overcome. The

tiny vehicle has a wheelbaso of only 6ft. and a track of about 40in. The wheels are only 12in. in diameter and will be fitted with tyres specially imported from Australia. It has not yet been decided what motor will be used, but it will ho either a two-cylinder or a four-cylinder motor-cycle unit. A similar miniature car will bo constructed by C. Segetin, who has driven Mr. Spiith's Ford in local races. The bodywork on both the midgets will bo carried out by Mr. Segetin. A twin-cylinder motor from a cinder,track motor-cycle tuned by the New Zealand cinder-track champion, A. Mattson, will be used to power a midget model being constructed by the champion's father, Mr. W. Mattson, and J. 11. Phillips, a young motorcyclist. The chassis is being made locally and has a wheelbase of oft. 7iin. and a track of 42in. Drive will bo conventional with a back-end cut down from a standard "baby" car. The same applies to the front axle. There will bo four-wheel brakes, the wheels and tyres being the same size as those for Mr. Smith's car. Several other midget cars are reported to be in course of construction and others are in view, although in a number of cases plans are still nebulous and indefinite." No arrangements for midget car races in Auckland have been made yet and it has not been decided which track would bo most suitable for them. Some people hold the view that Gloucester Park Speedway, the new track at Onehunga, is rather too large to show tho tiny cars to the best advantage. The alternative would probably be the cinder track at Western Springs Speedway. In overseas countries very short tracks are used, and in the United States races aro held in indoor stadiums on board circuits. Thero is little doubt that when it is introduced in Auckland, this new motor sport will be greeted with enthusiasm.