US Midget and Sprint car maestro Dave Darland returns to Western Springs this summer. Darland will be back in for the International Midget World Series starting in January 2007.

The car Darland will be driving in the six race World Series is the Spike Chassis house car. Built by chassis guru John Godfrey the Spike is powered by an Esslinger engine and has been set up to run the Western Springs and Powerbuilt quarter mile tracks.

Expatriate Kiwi Godfrey was the man behind the legendary Stealth Chassis and this is his first trip back downunder in 11 years.

“I don’t think anyone will remember me, quipped the modest Godfrey, I haven’t been home to NZ for so long. I’m really looking forward to racing at Western Springs again, Dave and I have had some really successful times in my cars recently and I know he is keen to win some races in Auckland this season.”

Darland, the 2001 USAC Midget Champion, currently sits in 4th place in the USAC National Midget points standings. No mean feat considering that the season has been a development one in some respects with his drive in the new Toyota powered Steve Lewis Midgets not always going the way Dave would have liked.

“It’s not always easy developing a new engine, said the laid back Darland, but the suppliers and the whole team have done so much work to get the new Toyota competitive and these guys are really making progress.”

“I’m really looking forward to the trip down to with John. I always have a good time driving for him and we have won a few races together. It sure will be good to take some of those NZ dollars back home with me but it looks like the competition will be tough this season”

Darland has won the World 30 lap Derby at Western Springs twice but success in the 50 lapper has so far eluded the experienced American. The combination of Darland and Godfrey, two experts in their respective fields may indeed see some of the series trophies leave our shores this summer.

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