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Post by thirdturn on Aug 6, 2009 16:34:23 GMT 1
These midgets ran in the UK at different times with the Parkers basically late 1950s and the F600s in the early 1990s. Is there any similarity between these and the TQ midgets that compete in the USA, New Zealand and Australia? I think the midget car promoter Mike Parker also built the cars with that name and he was also one of the formula's early drivers.
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Post by haflinger121 on Aug 6, 2009 22:07:14 GMT 1
Well, Parker Midgets are rear engined so I think there would be little similarity with TQ's. I've only ever heard about F600's secondhand, so can't really have an opinion about them.
Like you, for years I had always assumed that Parker Midgets were so-called because they were built and promoted by Mike Parker who was, as you say, also a driver. But I read somewhere recently (and I've been wracking my brains to try and remember where I saw it!) that it is in fact a coincidence, and that the cars were designed and built by somebody else who's name just happened to be Parker, and that is why they are so-called.
Maybe some other member has more on this - I wish my memory would behave itself!
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Post by rodpashley on Aug 22, 2009 1:38:23 GMT 1
Parkr Midgets were built at a garage in Stretford, near Manchester, as soon as I can dig it out, I will upload a sales leaflet about them.
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Post by rodpashley on Aug 22, 2009 1:45:08 GMT 1
F600, I think you probably mean Progressive 600, which raced mostly at Stoke (Loomer Road) speedway. They were an attempt at reviving the style of Midget raced in the 1950s as second half attractions at regular Bike speedway meetings. To me, they were the highlight of saturday nights at Belle Vue.....
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Post by administrator on Aug 22, 2009 8:27:06 GMT 1
Rod: I agree these cars were Progressive 600 AND NOT F600 as has been described on this site. An amendment has been made to this thread. When time permits, I will modify other references from F600 to Progressive 600. Many thanks. administrator.
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Post by youtubefiend on Aug 24, 2009 18:45:14 GMT 1
A pity Progressive 600 never caught on. This could have been the successor formula to have followed the good old Eltos and Skirrows. Besides Rod Pashley and Glyn Taylor, who else regularly raced them.
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Post by haflinger121 on Aug 25, 2009 22:49:19 GMT 1
Earlier, I said: "But I read somewhere recently (and I've been wracking my brains to try and remember where I saw it!) that it is in fact a coincidence, and that the cars were designed and built by somebody else who's name just happened to be Parker, and that is why they are so-called."
It was in something written by our Administrator! He said:
The prototype 500cc midget was bult and designed by Bob Parker. He was no relation to Mike Parker, who was involved in both driving and promoting the cars.
Check out The Forgotten Midgets for more.
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Post by administrator on Sept 16, 2009 7:18:40 GMT 1
I HAVE MOVED THE POSTS ABOUT THE TRACK AT LONG NEWNTON, SWINDON, PREVIOUSLY IN THIS THREAD TO ROUND THE TRACKS. administrator, MIDGET CAR PANORAMA.[/u]
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Post by kiwikid34 on Oct 27, 2009 22:28:08 GMT 1
Does anyone have a photo of a Parker Speedway Midget? They seem to be rather an obscure topic on the site but were really active in the latter part of the 1950s and early 1960s, especially at Belle Vue at one-time.
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Post by haflinger121 on Oct 28, 2009 0:09:55 GMT 1
Look in Various Midget Cars, PARKER MIDGETS 1950s/60s era .
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Post by kiwikid34 on Aug 4, 2011 20:11:24 GMT 1
How many speedway riders were active with the Parker midgets during their period at Belle Vue under the promotion of Johnnie Hoskins in the late 1950s? Two who I have tracked down are Stan Beardsall and Ted Howell - photos from somewhere PLEASE of them in midgets. I believe Maurice 'Slant' Payling also rode bikes and raced the Parker midgets but not positive on that fact.
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Post by mikehoward on Feb 22, 2012 22:55:53 GMT 1
hi every body yes there was many speedway riders went in to midgets my dad was also an ex rider that took up the midgets it seems that most of the m c r c in the 50s 60s had some connection with racing bikes albert brown was a grass tracker and i belive dennis Igo raced bikes but i could be wrong and the 2 most famos sdeeway riers to race midgets was jack parker and ronnie moore
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