FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE 19/01/21    

It's big month for New Zealand Speedway Star Jeremy Webb as he looks to defend his New Zealand TQ Midget title for a fourth consecutive time. But first, he looks to bag the NZ TQ Midget Grand Prix.

Webb, an 8 time South Island TQ Champion, has had a near flawless record competing in national TQ Midget events over the past couple of years. In the 2017/18 season, Webb picked up the treble by winning his first national title, his first NZ Grand Prix victory, and his sixth South Island title. In the following season, he did the same, winning the three biggest TQ races of the New Zealand Calendar.

The Webb TQ Era was well and truly in motion, being one of the most decorated and successful drivers to ever step foot in a TQ Midget. His dominance continued as he won another South Island TQ title and national title the following year, only missing out on contesting the NZ Grand Prix due to scheduling issues while racing a midget in the Chilli Bowl over in the United States for Clauson Marshall Racing.

After a summer of Midget Racing in the North Island for the Shaun Insley United Truck Parts team, Webb sets his focus back on his TQ schedule. Although some competitors think that his Midget racing may be hindering his TQ dominance. We spoke to fellow Midget competitor and former TQ National Champion, Hayden Guptill on this issue. 

“The lower horsepower of the TQ made it easy to adapt from the midget. You run them so much straighter, so it wasn’t too difficult for me or the other guys I know that have switched between the two, to adapt back to the TQ. The difficulty is definitely in adapting back to midget afterwards with the power and grip disparity”

There’s still no doubt Webb is due to be the favourite heading into these events. The NZ Grand Prix takes place at his home track at Ruapuna, Christchurch while the National title is fought out the following week only 3 hours away in Greymouth. Two tracks Webb is more than familiar with, an advantage he will be looking to exploit over his fellow competitors. 

Although, fellow Cantabrian Liam McCoubrey is one competitor looking to de-throne Webb. After scoring a big win in his Jim Bradford Memorial defense in the weekend, McCoubrey commented.

“I feel as comfortable in the car as I’ve ever felt, the boys have it in the sweet spot. We missed the lap record at the previous Ruapuna meeting by only 0.02 of a second, and I was happy to carry that speed into the Jim Bradford Memorial. After taking the win in Greymouth, and with the nationals being there in a few weeks, I’m feeling confident. All I hope is that the drama that plagued the meeting with some drivers and officials will be sorted for the national title”

Webb and McCoubrey will be flying the Canterbury flag against some stiff competition from Auckland such as Ryan Barry, Kaleb Currie and Scott Baker, All of which have showed exceptional car speed this season. Updates to come.

Photo Credit: Joes Johnson