With 50 mini-stock race wins already under his belt, 15-year-old Regan Le Cheminant is looking ahead to his latest challenge – the midgets class.
The Waihī teenager has been a regular fixture on the racing track since the age of 11, and celebrated his 50th club win on February 23 at the Waihī Beach Dirt Track Club.
The win is a testament to the focus and dedication of the talented teenager, who grew up watching his dad, uncle, and cousins at the track.
“Dad used to race back in the early 2000s or late 90s, and I’ve loved this sport ever since,” Regan said.
For Regan, motorsport is a way of life. For six months he will race almost every weekend at tracks around the North Island, and during the off-season it’s all about car maintenance, fitness, and prepping for the next season.
“It’s not all about the drive, it’s the car, it’s the maintenance. We replace shocks every year. We do wheel bearings to make sure the car’s smooth,” Regan’s dad, Mike, said.
“Another thing in these scenes is fitness. Regan’s almost black belt in karate… About five or six laps [in] his fitness starts to really show.
“Some guys, they just start slowing down after about four or five laps. But Regan will give 100 per cent.”
Regan will be joining the midgets class in April. As he is still under 16, he will need to apply for a special dispensation to race. But Regan said he is ready for the new challenge, and is looking forward to hitting the track in his new F2 midget car.
“[I’m] really excited. When I had a go on it, the acceleration power was different, it was just better,” Regan said.
As well as facing adult competitors for the first time, the midgets class also brings new challenges.
“You’re going from about 50 horsepower to 300 horsepower with half the weight,” Mike said. “So we’re trying to get some seat time.”
But Mike’s still there to talk strategy with Regan, something they have done for his whole racing career.
“I’ve been involved with Speedway for 25 years, raced for eight myself. So it’s about passing my knowledge on,” Mike said.
“I’ve done a lot of work with Regan on paper, exiting, entering… it’s all about getting that driveline right.”
“And I’ve taught Regan that you need to learn your competitors. Some kids stay down low, so you’ve got to go around them. Some come off the corner wide, you’ve got to come under them.”
“If you know how to read a track, you’re halfway there,” Regan added.
Regan’s now aiming for Rookie of the Year, although he said he will consider his first midget season a success if he finishes all his races without any crashes. Mostly, he’s just excited to get out on the track and give it a go.
“Everything vanishes when you’re in the car, on the track,” he said.
“And you’re just there to race.”
