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Post by weewillie on Aug 14, 2009 11:06:39 GMT 1
This theme has been raised elsewhere on the forum by alfaboy "Are GP Midgets bona-fide midget cars or really a downgraded version of formula racing cars?" I think marginally in their favour of being midgets - they did compete in a midget car test series in South Africa some years ago. But those rear-engined midgets - YUKK!!!
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Post by haflinger121 on Aug 15, 2009 0:53:50 GMT 1
You echo my thoughts exactly willie. Although it never seemed so bad when Frank Boyles had a rear engined car, the 'rot' really set in after that and I lost most of my interest in the formula. Really, if it doesn't look something like a Dastle, it ain't a midget, sorry. At least a Westfield has something of that ethic about it. But the days of the MARC, who seemed to have drivers with really neat cars (like John Holtham's Auto Enthusiast sponsored machine), Dastles with little chrome nudge bars and even metalflake paint in some instances, seem long ago now.
I would still live to see some kind of front engined, rear wheel drive midget class dedicated to racing on dirt, and actually, those Argentinian cars would fit the bill just fine for me. Dream on, eh?
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Post by haflinger121 on Aug 15, 2009 0:55:17 GMT 1
Sorry, that should have been 'love to see some kind of', etc. Finger trouble!
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Post by weewillie on Aug 15, 2009 10:09:56 GMT 1
You echo my thoughts exactly willie. Although it never seemed so bad when Frank Boyles had a rear engined car, the 'rot' really set in after that and I lost most of my interest in the formula. Really, if it doesn't look something like a Dastle, it ain't a midget, sorry. At least a Westfield has something of that ethic about it. But the days of the MARC, who seemed to have drivers with really neat cars (like John Holtham's Auto Enthusiast sponsored machine), Dastles with little chrome nudge bars and even metalflake paint in some instances, seem long ago now. I would still live to see some kind of front engined, rear wheel drive midget class dedicated to racing on dirt, and actually, those Argentinian cars would fit the bill just fine for me. Dream on, eh? Ian Fraser Kerr, Pete and John Smith, Brian Spicer and Tony Stubbs tried something like a front-engined formula in the 1980s and from what I remember reading they were were foiled by the antics of the GPM Club. Wasn't our admin man also involved in this venture. It was nice to see the Ben Pashley's front engine midget car's photo on here but how many similar cars are there nowadays.
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Post by martinslyon on Apr 19, 2010 19:04:57 GMT 1
I agree with you all, but this photo was only a few years ago and I was so proud to see three front engined cars which I had played a significant part in building, plus Eddie Rickett's Dastle which was the inspiration, dicing for the lead. I think they look as good as anything available elsewhere in the world. You should forget the words from the Kevin Costner movie, that "if you build it they will come". I heard and believed that story and put a massive effort into achieving it, and apart from Eddie, Richard Neil and the guys that actually bought the cars, it seemed like we were unwelcome and opposed at every opportunity. Still, that's all history now. Attachments:
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Post by tobyhalter on Jun 22, 2010 15:49:05 GMT 1
The decline for midget car racing started when Basil Craske was allowed to race an overgrown go-kart in the late 1970s IMO.
How many front-engine mdgets are there racing in the UK now?
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Post by rodpashley on Jun 25, 2010 9:57:55 GMT 1
I dont remember any anti-Westfield Midget feelings in the club, in fact most felt it would be good to have cars available to buy. The real problem was the early users of the Westfields. One seemed to think that the way to win was by eliminating the opposition, he eventualy recieved a lifetime ban from the club, and another Westfield driver used violence off the track to improve his chances of winning....
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Post by toadys on Jan 27, 2017 21:41:06 GMT 1
The decline for midget car racing started when Basil Craske was allowed to race an overgrown go-kart in the late 1970s IMO. How many front-engine mdgets are there racing in the UK now? It's some years since this topic in regard to Grand Prix midgets was first raised on here. So far there has never been a definitive answer to the query so far as I can see.
What are overall views in regard to what 'lovers of midget cars' think in regard to the GP Midgets.
And, to raise further debate - were the old so-called Parker midget cars of the 1950s and early 1960s really midget cars or a deviant formula?
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Post by toadys on Jan 27, 2017 21:44:49 GMT 1
The decline for midget car racing started when Basil Craske was allowed to race an overgrown go-kart in the late 1970s IMO. How many front-engine mdgets are there racing in the UK now? And again many years ago when first raised on the forum but never really responded to - is this a complete interpretation of why midget car never became a really mainstream track formula in the UK.
Furthermore, and I hope it's good news (?) what has happened to Basil Craske since he retired from racing so many years ago?
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flyboy1
New Member
No date of birth 1955 you put four years on me
Posts: 10
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Post by flyboy1 on Jan 31, 2017 18:39:20 GMT 1
Is this a serious question or just a wind up ? I never drove a relationship engine midget just a Dastle me 7 and 18,however my father drove one of those silly rear engine things.It was difficult racing against the rear engine cars they kept getting the way ha ha
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Post by toadys on Jan 31, 2017 20:32:42 GMT 1
Is this a serious question or just a wind up ? I never drove a relationship engine midget just a Dastle me 7 and 18,however my father drove one of those silly rear engine things.It was difficult racing against the rear engine cars they kept getting the way ha ha I am note sure how to react to your question flyboy. I would like to respond if at all possible but don't - and I am known as 'a bit of thick' to my mates at the pub - but what do you mean by a 'relationship engine midget'? That's a new one on me. TBH I do know what those lovely old Skirrows and Eltos were - and also the Parker midget cars. But cannot fathom out what a 'relationship engine midget' might be?
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