One of New Zealand's longest running Speedway events will have its 57th staging this weekend (Friday January 15/Saturday January 16) when the national TQ Midget Car crown is contested at the Xpress Printing House Ruapuna Speedway, Christchurch.

With 42 entries, including 16 from the North Island,competition will be tight at Friday nights qualifying races for the 24 spots available for Saturday nights finals.

Defending Champion Shane O'Connor (Auckland) will face strong competition in his qualifying group with former National Champion Dick Webb (Christchurch), Hawkes Bay's Craig Todd, and local front runner Ricky Brett among his opponents. Last year Brett finished fourth in the championship when it was held at Aucklands Western Springs Speedway.

Todd has claimed a podium finish at six previous New Zealand TQ Championship events, but is yet to win one!

Former National Champion Paul Le Cren (Auckland) has perhaps an easier qualifying group, but he will still face another in form local in Ryan Stone and another top Hawkes Bay contender Duane Todd.

The third group will be headed by Brock Maskovich (Auckland) who is currently the countries third ranked driver. Among his main opponents will be veteran drivers Lawrence Baker (Auckland) and Glen Durie (Christchurch), while the highly fancied Gisborne driver Dylan MacGregor will also be rated highly.

The top eight drivers from each of the three groups will proceed to two heats on Saturday, with finishing positions in those races determining the starting positions for Saturday nights Edge Performance and Automotive sponsored Championship final which will be raced over twenty five laps.

Fast Facts;
*42 Entries will make this event, numbers wise the biggest 'open wheel' section event in the South Island this summer.
* Ruapuna Speedway has hosted the New Zealand TQ Championship on seven previous occasions. Only two of those (1991/2-
Dick Webb), and (1980/81- Wayne Denovan) have been won by Christchurch drivers
* Christchurch drivers John Shaw (Western Springs 1957/58), Rex Burt (1973/74 Napier), Chris Beach (Invercargill 1982/83 and
Nelson 1988/89), and Dick Webb Nelson 1995/96) have 'away' track National title wins.
*Webb's second place at Dunedin in 1995/96 is the last time a South Islander grabbed a podium spot.
*Alan Palmer (third 1974/75 @Kihikihi) is the only other Christchurch driver to appear on the podium.
* Only the New Zealand Solo Championship (started 1929) and New Zealand Midget Car Championship (started 1940) are older
on the New Zealand Speedway Scene

FOOTNOTE:
*We might also claim Paul Le Cren (Born in ChCh- NZ Champion 2005/6), and Bill Clarkson (father born here)NZ Champion 2003/4!