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WORLD MIDGET CHAMPIONSHIP CONFIRMED FOR AUSTRALIA
Author: SSS PR
Lucas Oil Lismore Speedway will be a vital part of this season’s inaugural World Midget Championship under the sanction of the American-based Performance Open Wheel Racing Inc (POWRi) organisation.
The series will be run along similar lines to the Speedway Grand Prix for bikes over a selected number of rounds and on a progressive pointscore to determine the World Midget Car Racing Champion.
Lismore promoter David Lander has monitored developments closely over the past couple of months and now that reality has arrived and the championship is set to run, he plans something special for the lead-up promotion of the title round at his venue.
“I don’t want to start promoting this championship three weeks out from when we will run it,” he said.
“I want to launch a major media campaign leading into the start of our season in November and keep promoting the World Midget Championship.
“This is great for the sport and a wonderful event for Midget racing not only in this country but New Zealand and America as well.”
It is anticipated at least 12 rounds will decide the first series, with events also scheduled for Auckland’s Western Springs Speedway and American tracks.
Supercheap Auto Brisbane International Speedway (January 25 and 26) and Lucas Oil Lismore Speedway (January 31 and February 1) are the Aussie venues selected to host the world title Australian sector in what, on paper, looks the most ambitious project on a world-wide scale ever attempted by the Mighty Midgets.
One of the men responsible for getting the World Midget Championship up and running is Auckland’s Western Springs Director Bill Buckley who in recent years has become a major player on the world speedway scene courtesy of his involvement with the Speedway Grand Prix.
The international Midget event has been in the planning stages for the past couple of years and it’s now reached a point where it can be given the green light for next season.
However, even at this writing, final details are yet to be ironed out, but the most obvious factor to already clearly emerge is that Australia will be invaded by an influx of American and New Zealand competitors for their rounds.
Recently installed Western Springs manager/promoter Greg Mosen said it has been the success of the international Midget series in New Zealand each season that led to the intention of taking these shows to an even greater level with the participation of drivers from America and Australia for a series of rounds in each country toward crowning a world titleholder.
“Bill took a team to compete in the POWRi Midget week in Illinois and he was very supportive of it. He liked the structure of how they (POWRi) administer the sport.
“We have had a long term relationship with many American drivers who come down to race at Western Springs and the World Championship is effectively an extension of that,” Mosen said.
Mosen explained the idea of the concept is to bring together some of the best Midget drivers in the world and put them on a world stage that will showcase Midget racing like never before.
“I guess to take these top drivers to Australia, New Zealand and America and give them a points series that the will see them compete in these three countries leading to the purpose of establishing a World Champion in Midget racing is what it’s all about.”
The championship chase will involve four rounds at Western Springs as part of the international Midget racing carnival.
The title will commence on Boxing Night, while other dates are: December 28, January 1 and the January 4 50 lapper.
Mosen said that, while yet to be officially locked in and confirmed, he has provided a list of Americans to SRN, ear-marked to compete in the World Championship, that is “pretty close” to being ratified.
Kyle Larson, Bryan Clauson, Darren Hagen, current USAC Champion Chris Bell, and Jerry Coons Junior are the names selected.
Mosen also revealed former Australian Champions Nathan Smee and Adam Clarke will head the Australian challenge.
Meanwhile, dates and venues for the American rounds are yet to be announced, but it will be “at least over four rounds and in the Wisconsin region.”
Mosen also pointed out that the World Championship is not only just for the selected group of drivers who will compete in the three countries.
“Anyone can race in the championship. For example here at Western Springs we will have 40 midgets trying to qualify for the international event.
“Prize pool here in New Zealand is in excess of $100,000 and all four rounds will be televised.” Mosen estimated an overall prize money purse of $200,000 for the World Championship.
He also explained that while POWRi is officially the sanctioning body using its race format, the racecar regulations and specs for all countries are in line, so uniformity across the board is guaranteed and current engines packages (as used during the previous season) are valid.
Mosen said the anticipated competitor numbers heading to Australia representing New Zealand and America “are expected to be in double figures.”
What that says in laymen’s terms is Australia will see arguably the biggest Midget event ever undertaken in this country.
Story: Dennis Newlyn[/b][/font][/font]