The Midget Speedcar was constructed by Ken Hopkins in the late 1950’s and was campaingned mainly at the Claremont speedway. In the early 1960’s Ken was able to win two State Championships with the car. The engine is a Holden grey motor fitted with McGee fuel injection, it is dry sumped and runs a Vertex Magnito. Running on alcohol like all midgets it has extremely fast acceleration and a high level of reliability. The car also is fitted with a Lehane quick change differential and Halibrand magnesium wheels. The car was later sold to Geraldton and finally ended up in Port Headland and was campainged by Pilbra Radiators right up till 1995. During this time it was fitted with a full roll cage, fuel bladder and modified front suspension and steering. In 1996 Neil McCrudden acquired the car and restored it to the specifications of the early 1960’s. Neil ran it at a number of country speedways as well as Claremont and Bibra Lake. The car was also used for a speed event against aircraft at Lake Perkolilli near Kalgoorlie in 1997. The car also ran at the last night of claremont speedway.
In 2000 John Barlow took over the running of the car and he also commenced the restoration process in about 2002. Shortly after he became ill and the project lapsed. Following John’s death the car was returned to the WA Racing Museum in 2010. Unfortunately, many of the parts were unable to be located and the Museum was required to start the whole restoration process from scratch. Colin McKee, the ex speedway solo champion, took over the project and the car was completed in March 2012. The paint was applied by Steve Shaw from All Quality Panel and Paint in O’Connor.
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