5 days Ago By Kyler Emerson/Special to The Star
Get ready to hit the gas Aldergrove, because the quarter midget racing season revs up Saturday, April 5, at Langley’s only non-profit dedicated track. Ken Shrimpton, Langley Quarter Midget Association (LQMA) promotion director, said this year the volunteer-run association celebrates its 45th season. “We have a full schedule planned this year, with some specialty races.
.. and we are really looking forward to it,” he told the Aldergrove Star.
Of note is a special race for Mother’s Day in May, as well as the Western Grands and Northern Shootout in August, and a Turkey Night in October. Shrimpton himself joined the LQMA about eight years ago, when his son became a young racers at age seven. “If I had known about it sooner, I would have involved him when he was five years old.
.. It was by far the best decision I ever made,” he shared.
Through the years, Shrimpton has watched his son build his self confidence, develop close friendships, and grow into a young man. The LQMA is designed for kids up to the age of 16, and Shrimpton said often those who "age-out" still stick with racing. They go on to pursue racing at the Agassiz track – whether for hobby or to chase a career in racing, he noted.
“There is a mentorship element to it as well. The older kids will often guide the younger ones, who are a bit more anxious getting started,” he explained. Quarter midget race cars are about one-quarter the size of an adult midget car, racing on a track that is a quarter of the adult length.
In addition to safety cages, young quarter midget racers wear protective helmets, neck braces, and fireproof racing gear, and are secured to their seats with a five-point harness. Outside of racing, the association organizes trips for its members – such as camping, going to a waterslide park, or other events to get the kids together. “This is a safe place for kids where everybody is accepted and welcomed, and to be honest I don’t know who makes more friends: the kids or the parents,” Shrimpton laughed.
“We’re a community.” LQMA is a non-profit organization that specializes in car racing for racers aged five to 16. “I’m looking forward to the events this year, it’s been cool to watch the kids grow from being just little guys up into teenage kids, and watch how they’ve all progressed and got better and better over the years,” Shrimpton commented.
“And then to see the older kids turn around and [support] the younger kids...
they seem to learn from each other.” He said the association is accepting sponsorships for the season, in which businesses will have a sign or banner of their company name and logo on the track for the season. Businesses can reach out to the secretary at secretary@lqma.
ca. Shrimpton encourages anyone curious about quarter midget racing to visit the track – which is free – during any of their races to get some insight into what it is all about. People can also sign up for a ride clinic, which the association hosts throughout the season to give kids a safe first experience in one of the race cars.
Those interested can call 604-856-9621, visit their website or go to their – Langley Quarter Midget Association. The first race of the season is set for Saturday, April 5, beginning at 9 a.m.
at the Aldergrove track located at 26965 8 Ave..
