Header Image: Graham Hughes (Sportsweb Photography)
UPDATE: With adverse weather conditions around the country, Lucas Oil Auckland Speedway has announced this weekend’s event is postponed to a later date.
Three-Quarter Midget racing takes centre stage at Lucas Oil Auckland Speedway this weekend, with no fewer than 34 competitors chasing the coveted 1NZ title.
Headlining the entry list is six-time New Zealand Champion Jeremy Webb. The Christchurch-registered driver is looking to further extend a remarkable legacy in the class, which already includes six New Zealand titles, two New Zealand Grand Prix wins, one North Island Championship, and an extraordinary 12 South Island Championships.
Webb has claimed every South Island title since the 2011/12 season, with the sole exception being 2015/16, when Matthew Leversedge took the honours.
His overall Speedway New Zealand record is equally impressive, with 24 national titles to his name, 21 of them coming in the T.Q. grade, along with three South Island Midget Championships.
The only driver to deny Webb a national championship since the 2017/18 season is also a confirmed starter.
Aaron Humble arrives with a résumé that includes a 1NZ, a 2NZ, and two New Zealand Grand Prix titles, and will be eager to add another major crown.
Two-time North Island Champion and current 2NZ Regan Tyler is another serious contender. Tyler defeated Webb in the feature race at Auckland Speedway on January 5 and will be confident returning to the same venue.
Current 3NZ Peter Hunnibell will be looking to make home-track advantage count as he chases his first national Three-Quarter Midget title.
The 2015/16 New Zealand Midget Champion has previously finished second once and third twice in T.Q. national campaigns, and his success in the higher-powered Midget class suggests he will again be a factor.
Kayden Barker (11K) returns to New Zealand competition after competing at the Tulsa Shootout in the United States, looking to improve on his 2022/23 2NZ result from Meeanee.
His lone North Island Championship was secured at Waikaraka Park when the title was relocated there following flood damage to Western Springs in early 2023.
Reigning New Zealand Grand Prix Champion Dylan Cooke of Kihikihi is another with strong claims, while Christchurch’s Lachy Brett (39C) impressed at Auckland Speedway earlier this month, winning a heat and finishing third in the January 5 feature.
Brett is part of a strong Christchurch contingent travelling north, which also includes Webb, Malakai Webb, who was third in last season’s South Island Championship, Blake Finlay, and Ethan Smith.
South Island Championship runner-up Kohen Thompson makes the trip from Greymouth.
Veteran Kaleb Currie could also play a decisive role. The Auckland driver is a former 2NZ (2016/17) and Grand Prix Champion (2020/21), while fellow home-track competitor Troy Pennington continues his pursuit of a first national title.
Youth may yet have a major say in the outcome, with Bryce Pennington, James MacDonald, Kohen Thompson, Malakai Webb, and Lachy Brett all aged under 21.
Auckland-based drivers form the largest group in the field with 12 entries, followed by Kihikihi (seven), Christchurch (five), Meeanee (four), and Wellington (three). Rotorua is represented by Jaylem Caley and Julian Munro, while Thompson is Greymouth’s sole entrant.
Support classes on Friday night include F2 Midgets and Sprintcars, with Midgets joining the programme on Saturday.
Racing gets underway at 6.00pm on both nights, with live streaming available via The Pits TV for those unable to attend.
2025/26 New Zealand Three-Quarter Midget Championship Entry List
