Midget 85

Viking 1/4 Midget restored in tribute to Danny Caruthers restored by Bruce Selby of Magnolia, Texas. The midget participated in this years Auto Rama, Houston, Texas

David, send us photos

I see two Walhborg 300's and 1 Viking Craft in the background. The red racer appears to be a Wahlborg 500 and looks like late 50's early 60's is the setting.

Remember there were hundreds of race tracks across the nation during this time era. Looks like the pit area in Sunny California but other than that it was a typical time of the early quarter midget years.

Maybe someone was there who can help us here

Another Meyer Speedway Legend Sonny Upton

Coming around for the Green Flag!

Sonny Upton #44 Ronnie Chumley #16 Meyer Speedway

Sonny Upton #44 chasing down Joe Plowman in #28 at Meyer Speedway 1965

Red Upton and Sonny Upton - Meyer Speedway 1967

How did the name Quarter Midget come about?

Quite simply because they were scaled down 1/4 the size of a full scale midget. Not hard to figure that one out ..

Ted,

We spend a lot of our life getting rid of things as we progress in everyday life.

Then we spend the rest of our life trying to gather back what we got rid of. Human nature I guess

Good luck in finding a midget

We welcome all Quarter Midget fans from all over the country and in every state. These were some of the most memorable days of the mid century and I am very thankful I was there to participate and share the experience and memories today!

We hope everyone shares their experience with these little fire breathers that stormed the tracks and became so popular before the Go Karts took over with popularity in those days.

Fortunately Quarter midgets still thrive but more on the scale of Go Karts with bodies in today's world. Many of the chassis and parts are the same.

Thanks for visiting this site and share with other fans of vintage Quarter Midgets

We welcome all our new visitors to this string of hits reflective of Meyer Speedway! Please share your memories and photos of an exciting and memorable time in racing history.

If we can assist in anyway, please feel free to contact us.

- Randy

Racin' - mid century style

More Racing Memories

KURTIS KRAFT - In the winners circle

Pasadena, Texas 1961

Another line up of midgets for a feature race at the Pasadena Rodeo grounds in Texas.

Midget 85 is in the rear due to inverted starts.

Look at the classic cars in the background ..

Phoenix Racers 1950's

A national event held in Phoenix with racers from all over the country participating for top honors.

Many Wahlborgs in this photo

Forever Racers

You never stop racing Quarter Midgets, you just move em in the house, add them to the trophy collection, and remember the fun days of youth.

Look and admire the craftsmanship of the little stormers from a time that went by quickly.

( Photo courtesy of the Caruso family of racers )

Great looking Midgets!

Hey Nick,

Thanks for dropping by .. Merry Christmas and New Year Bub!

Cadillac Of Midgets

The Pacemaker was one of the best handling midgets I had ever driven. The smooth suspension and adjustable friction shocks with front and rear springs gave the midget true handling advantages in comparison to some of the other versions.

The Moss midget would run a close second in handling favors based on my experiencie in driving all the different cars.

Please remember this is only my perception and probably argumentive with others but after driving all the different cars .. I still keep my view

The Pacemaker was no doubt ahead of it's time and was well engineered when the first series were being built. We later learned that in 1959 a modified version was being produced that would include a straight axle set up. The first series were engineered with a split rear axle.

The rear axle on the later version was set back a few inches and had a longer wheel base, the engine was now able to sit lower in the chassis

Pictured below is at least a 59 - 60 manufactured car

Wahlborg "300" In Todays World

Pictured here is a 300 series Wahlborg that appears to have been restored and with a few added updates for a parade lap around the oval.

Note the wider rear tires and the modern helment

Girls Like To Race Too!

Girls were not limited to being just a trophy Queen.

A good example of this below as Toni prooves she can compete with the boys and be a knock out as well.

Proud Winner and Great Midget

No doubt the time is in the 50's and the little driver is proud of his takings at a local track as he poses with his trophy and the midget that put him in the winners circle.

It was not unusual to pull the midget out of the garage and take a few pictures of junior in his car with his trophies between race dates or off seasons. This is a prime example. We all did it!

Great photo and great memories for those of us that were there in this generation of racing. It will never be like this again

A Different Look At The Competition

When you get upside down the track and competitors look a little different ..

We are not sure of the chain of events here, but two of the competitors are upside down and suddenly you ask yourself ..what happened?

One in the front and one in the back while others try to avoid the spagetti mix ..

Note the lead car viewing the bottom of his competitor while others duck down and redirect their path to avoid being involved. It takes quick thinking when you are racing ..

Also note the person climbing over the fence to render aid to the little racers ..

Still think kiddie racers weren't serious?

Competition was serious as we all raced for the checkers, a kiss from the trophy queen ..and a few bragging rights with the trophy to prove it ..

Never Too Young

Now that many youngsters had the urge to race, they actually experienced the real thrill of racing to the seriousness of competing.

Racing the Quarters was like racing the Big Offy's and the experience and circumstances were all too well the same!

Here .. a little racer experiences the action of getting on two wheels and a quick thought of will she roll or can I get back down?

It happens quickly and unexpectantly when you are racing.

Got to love the experience .. and sometimes a little trip to the facility afterwards.

An added note here is NO "Monkey Cage" roll cages or roll bar and probably no shoulder harness to keep you upright. We never thought about it although somewhere in the back of our minds the possibility was somewhat chilling ..

Kurtis Kraft 500

The Kurtis Kraft name alone stands for racing and was known well among racers of all ages. Thus when Quarter Midgets evolved the name was also known in the Quarters as well.

My memory of the racing days relate to many of these cars used for the larger or older kids in most cases but not all ..and also to the Double AA Fuels and A Class modified cars simply for the extra room for the larger kids. They were wider on the nose caption, had a sleek tail section and referred by many as "The Bull Nose" Quarters.

In comparison to the Wahlborgs there was plenty of leg room and easy to climb in and out of the cockpit.

The cars were popular in B' Modified, A' Modified, up to the Max of AA' Fuel and seldom recall any in the stock class. I witnessed boys at 12 to 13 years old driving the Kurtis Krafts with a Blue Flame blowing out the exhaust at about 18 inches from the tip. The sweet smelling fuel in some cases to the eye burning alcohol fueled little beast!

The Kurtis Kraft was certainly a serious contender but a little awkward for the smaller kids to start in due to the size.

None the less, it is one sought after by many