Mighty Midget
Joining forces for a test of endurance

SEEING RED: Flight Sergeant Gavin Irving in the car next to race partner and owner of the MG Mike Robson, from Qantas Defence Services.

Flight Sergeant Gavin Irving (above) pilots the mighty red MG Midget around the track

RAAF Base Richmond’s Flight Sergeant Gavin Irving and Qantas Defence Services Mike Robson have taken the contract relationship a step further than the usual, joining forces to race Robson’s 1967 MG Midget.

Both are preparing for the remaining rounds of the NSW Production Sports Car Championship, with the focus on the 2002 Production Sports Car endurance race to be held later this year.

The pair initially teamed up for a one-off endurance event in late 2000. The partnership proved successful, with the mighty midget finishing 10th outright from a field of 37, which included Porsche and Lotus.

“The MG’s real strength isn’t its outright speed – although it’s capable of over 200km/h – but rather its light weight coupled with excellent cornering and braking ability,” FSGT Irving said.

Despite their height differences, FSGT Irving and Robson are credited with the quickest driver change in the category, which is where positions and time can be made up in a flash.

Robson has owned the car for a number of years and has achieved great results.

“The car is a pleasure to drive, it’s very reliable and responds well to change in setup,” he said.

A podium finish was in sight at the 2001 Production Sports Car event, only to be snatched away with a few laps to go due to a damaged front tyre.

“It was a graphic example of the highs and lows of motor sport, to be so close yet so far away. The car performed faultlessly, everything was perfect and then the under steer crept in,” FSGT Irving conceded. “We had no choice, we had to slow down”.

The pair still finished a credible 7th outright..

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