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Midget
racecars were at one time the most popular form of auto
racing in the U.S. Midget auto racing dates back to the
early 1930's and exist today in the United States, Canada
Australia, and New Zealand. As its name might imply, a
Three Quarter Midget is a scales down version of a
"full" midget racecar. 750 cc motorcycle engines
power most TQ's. Starters and transmissions are prohibited
so the portion of the engine case that housed the
transmission is machined off and the engine crankshaft is
direct coupled to an enclosed driveshaft. TQ's are either
in or out of gear meaning that there is no clutch to
transmit power . Because of this TQ's have to be push
started on the track with the car in gear in order to get
the engine to turn over and fire. The engine power is
transmitted to an open axle through quick-change rear
housing. Quick change means that the rear drive ratio can
be quickly changed by removing the cover and changing an
intermediate gear set between the driveshaft and the ring
and pinion. Most TQ's use methanol for fuel and can
utilize either fuel injection or carburetion for delivery.
The chassis frame on a
TQ is constructed from aircraft grade chromoly tubing. All
cars must meet minimum safety standards on construction
and materials used. Below is a comparison between a Three
Quarter Midget and "Full" Midget. |
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