Midget 85

Restored - Wahlborg "300" Quarter Midget Another great looking Wahlborg 300 Midget Wahlborgs and RaceCraft midgets were perhaps some of the more economical midgets to purchase during the introduction of 1/4 Midget racing in the 50's and probably more plentiful. Not only was the pricing more suitable for the entry level racer but the eye catching appeal that could be related to the Big Brother Midgets that everyone was familiar and could also relate to. These midgets were the fore runners and designed to capture the Big Brother look in identity. Competition now in demand .. From these came many other versions with emphasis on handling, suspension, and last of all the builders own vision and style of midgets to add to the market. We have covered the many factory offerings on this thread and see that many are on the search to find these little cars that so quickly came and went over the years. Some were stored in barns, attics, shops and even in scrap piles ready to be forever gone. The little Quarter Midgets helped set a new form of racing in the mid century and put the trend in motion to move forward in allowing race fans of all ages and genders to experience the thrill of auto racing!

Restored - Wahlborg "300" Quarter Midget This is an awesome restoration of a Wahlborg Midget right down to the correct tire configuration, the added side exhaust pipe ( cosmetic reasons ) and enough zazzle to entice any youngster to write Santa .. We salute the person who brought this little midget back to the recognition it deserves for the mid century toys for all us boys ..oh and girls too!

Just like the "Big Boys" In our efforts to cover as much information, and photos of the vintage and classic Quarter Midgets, we are always looking for photos and interesting items to keep our thread one of the most viewed items on LSSZ. The "Roots" of pint size racing, the inspiration by Walt Disney, the love of competing and racing were all contibuting factors of Quarter Midgets. Although they have evolved into a different style, it is important to know where it all began. The photo in this caption truly reflects how youngsters had a chance to participate in the sport of midget racing just like the heroes they watched on the big tracks. We watched in amazement the colorful, loud roaring midgets that made such an impact on the young lives of kids and inspired those kids to perhaps have an oppourtunity to experience the same thrill. Perhaps at the same time encourage them to someday have their followers admire them also ..and perhaps on the same track. ( The photos below can best be served as a true example and do not represent the same drivers ) Many legends have come and gone. .. but the thrill of of racing forever lives on ..

Casper, Based on the photos above, I would certainly say they are later year cars from the 70's. I am not sure how the rules changed during that time period and perhaps someone who was racing in that time would have a better answer for you as to the origin of these cars. They both have a wider tracking stance and seem to be more chassis designed after the Go Karts in that span of time. During this trasitional time period the designs and parts were somewhat being intergrated for both types of racing perhaps due to safety factors, advancement in speed, and most importantly part availability more readily available. One thing to keep in mind with quarter midget racing is the little midgets were the inspiration for the Go Kart style racing or you might say the item that launched Go Kart racing. Go Karts were not thought of until Quarter Midget Racing took off in popularity. It was the ticket for grown ups to become kids and be able to enjoy "Juniors" ride without the restricted fiberglass body restraints ..especially if you were a long legged person.

Doug, Keep us posted with the midgets. Bringing back memories to so many. Glad Doug contacted you as I know the racer will proove useful in making the new ones!

Love this!!! Count us in Danny

Yes indeed that is a nice Wahlborg midget! As to the front axles, if I recall correctly that the I-Beam axles were on the first series of these little midgets which were being manufactured late 56 early 1957. By 1958 the round tube axles were standard on the Wahlborgs. I drove many of these little stormers! Weren't the best handling little midgets but sure resembled their Bigger Brother OFFY's during that time. The bodies were well designed to look like the big midgets...

More information on Irving reunion Tickets for this year’s Racers Reunion Banquet hosted by Paul Page are now on sale. We are returning to the beautiful PCS Productions sound stage in Irving, Texas on Saturday, September 22, 2012, for a full day of activities, good times and informative historic presentations. Bench racing, a display of vintage race cars, scrap book tables, a racing movie on the big-screen and break-out sessions will start at 2:00 pm. Dinner will be severed at 7:00 pm prior to the feature presentations about Vintage Quarter Midgets and the Living Legend -- Johnny Rutherford. Purchase your tickets soon because a sell out is expected early this year. Identified groups who buy 6-8 tickets will be guaranteed a table together. More details about how you can pay by check, credit card or PayPal and a map are at www.RadiusNation.net. You will not want to miss the special guests who are coming to town to help us honor Johnny Rutherford. Continue to check the Facebook page for announcements and updates. We will see you there! Racers Reunion Banquet Saturday, September 22, 2012 PCS Productions 1551 Corporate Dr. Suite 125 Irving, TX 75038 Doors open 2:00 pm Dinner & Feature presentations 7:00 pm Tickets $30 each More info at 214-293-3003 www.RadiusNation.net Bart Stevens

Great Photos! Where are these midgets?

Our appreciation to Bart Stevens from Irving, Texas for the invitation to join in on the fun on September 22, 2012. We hope all of the past Quarter Midget drivers will make plans to attend this important event. For more information, copy the link below and paste in your header bar http://radiusnation.net/ Plans are coming together very well for this year’s Racers Reunion Banquet on Saturday September 22nd. We will be back at PCS Productions in Irving, TX on their beautiful 9000 sq. ft. sound stage. This year we will have Paul Page as the Master of Ceremony since one of the feature presentations this year will be about our regular Master of Ceremony, 3-time Indy 500 winner, Johnny Rutherford. The second presentation will be about the history of Quarter Midgets, a craze that swept the Nation in the 1950s. We will have folks here who drove these cars during this alluring time. We will also have a large number of vintage quarter midgets on display in addition to the other vintage race cars that will be on display. In the afternoon we will have activities for you including Bench Racing, scrap books, a Racing Movie on the big screen & break-out sessions about historic racing. It is hard to believe we could top last year’s event but we have so much planned for this year I hope you are here to be a part of this amazing day! Tickets will go on sale August 1st. Keep an eye out for more details very soon. Bart Stevens 214-293-3003 www.RadiusNation.net

David, Are you any kin to Jimmy McKinney? And Mike Plowman..any kin to Joe Plowman?

So here is the plan! Dad & I are going to build a frame fixture for both models and start by making a NEW Pacemaker #1 and also making a NEW Pacemaker Roadster #1 which was called the Orange Crate and driven by Jeff Haywood. They will be period correct in every way and could be ran for exhibition. If anyone is interested in a kit or a roller now is the time to step up! Danny Ruth Danny, Count me in and keep me posted! Midget 85

Wayne, How I wish I could go back one more time not only in the Quarter Midgets but time itself! This is awesome and what great memories this brings back as to youth. It has to be one of the best times in America when I look at all the stuff going on the world today. Thanks for sharing the photos and do keep us book marked and visit again! Love the 50ees!

PJ and all our followers, Sorry, its been awhile since I have been on the threads and my apologies.. My business has demanded much of my time lately. The photos are awesome and bring back such memories of long ago. The photos posted above appear to be the Grand Prarie Track based on my memory and looks very familiar. The # 43 is a Racecraft from what I can tell. The 44 is a little hard to see but the nose portion looks to be close to a Moss Midjet. Am I correct? If not refresh me.. Look at that Roadster! Great stuff!

Casper, The photos are awesome! Keep em coming! The 16 and 47 look just like minature offy's!

Regarding the photos above ( post # 716 ) the Blue 7 was Blumrick and he ran the Frizzel Pontiac Modified for sometime but I specifically remember the car painted Blue for whatever reason in 1967. All years before and after the car was Black and White. Can't remember why or the reason it was Blue for one season only. In 1968 it was painted back to Black and White..

We do appreciate the information and feedback, That's what I like about this site as sooner or later someone will read and contribute information filling the gaps that were some time ago! He only drove the purple 27 Bronco for a short while ( 1968 )and he worked for Sunbeam Bread company when I knew him. The Chevy truck he drove was Blue and on the streets you would have thought he was on the track. He passed me up on Aldine Mail Route one day must have been doing 90! What a guy but friendly when visiting him at his house. I remember him pulling the battered up body of one of his early Bronco's and he had another hull ready to slip over the frame and chassis sitting in the yard. Neighbors were sorta complaining though.. Can't remember Ken ever winning but possibly did. His career was rather short.

Doug Plank sent us this information.. Recognize any of the names here? Here is a very interesting and special photo in Quarter Midget history. First, all three cars shown are the new production Kurtis cars that came after the famous two silver aluminum models were built (Shoji and Webster) and I think just before Kurtis sold to Potter.. Beautiful cars. I remember as kids referring to these as the “NEW” Kurtis. This picture is in 1962 at Plainfield, IN. (L-R) Steve Lotshaw (who went on to USAC midget fame) and his dad, then Chris Yoder of West Liberty, Oh (who later held world’s fastest QM qualification for some time) and his dad Donald in the middle, and Pancho Carter and his dad Duane Carter, Sr. both of Indianapolis 500 fame. (Thanks to Chris Yoder for this photo, fellow Mac O Chee club driver, friend, classmate, we grew up in the famous racing town of West Liberty OH together where we floated our homemade rafts down the river that runs behind the track)

Yep, That's him alright. I remember the #32 Bronco as Brown colored but it might have been yellow before that. He lived near me in those days and yes it was High Meadows subdivision, You are correct about the Purple #27 Bronco he drove in 1968 but I too can't remember the car owner. We know it wasn't Pancho Locklin.

Gene, Hold that thought.. -Randy

Awesome and thanks for your input. I guess you are joining us from California?

Gene and Bruce The track with the wall appears to be the old Pasadena Tx. track located at the Rodeo Fairgrounds off Red Bluff. This was probably shot around 1961 as the wall I believe was added after 1960 by the Pasadena Jaycee's. The quarter midget on the tail end is me in the Pacemaker midget #85. Fastest qualifiers were reverted to the rear on the feature races to give the slower guys like Bruce a slim chance to make it to the front! Since we never knew which way Bruce was gonna turn left or right in a left hand turn, you had drift high to catch his attention and then dart low under him as he was looking the other direction.. I recognise a few of the drivers and cars and this was the last track to survive the Quarter Midget era in the Houston, Pasadena area before it faded out of popularity to Go-Karts. As to any progress to bringing back quarters to Houston would take some time and sanctioning but first a location to do so. I think the idea is awesome so we will see what we can come up with. As we have all gotten a little more to the senior side of life, time seems to be our enemy. I think with the track, a museum of vintage midgets would be a real kicker!

Gene, I have thought about many times. Who knows, It might just be in the plans. Thanks for your input and contribution to this forum. -Randy

Bruce, Not sure, but I used to wonder also about that number configuration? Didn't really matter, it was the fun we had that quickly went by us.

Hall of Fame member Chris Yoder in 41 (1957 Wahlborg 400). Chris was a very successful driver in the early days of Mac O Chee Racing. This picture would have been 57-58 vintage. First, he was number 4 and then the club ruled you had to have a 2 digit number so his car became 41. ------But that made it lopsided so it became 141. -------But that was against the rules also as you could not have a 3 digit number. A little paint over the left 1 and presto it was 41 again. A driver could really see well in those days. I wondered about today’s drivers peripheral vision when I put the modern style helmet on and drove a (large) quarter midget last year with the body coming up so far around the driver. I know, safety. We never got hurt. I later drove this same car to win the “B” class 5 states regional feature at MOC the same day Shoji came to town and won the A in 59. (I had to get that in) Thank you HOF member Dick Smith for the photo. 2011 Mac O Chee Hall of Fame Event July 30 Doug Plank