NASCAR / ASA Car owner Dick Midgley is no stranger to International Motorsports. Midgley did all the International races in Australia. Then went back and ran the last 5 years that they ran the NASCAR Series there. The teams accomplishments were, winning the Thunderdome--many times, winning at Adelaide, winning at both the road courses in Sydney, winning at the Gold Coast and winning at Bathurst. In addition the team set track records at all of these tracks. Midgley also won the Championship, mechanic of the year and sportsman of the year.
Midgley fielded a car in Japan with Andy Huston, Ron Hornaday and Australian Jim Richards, who qualified outside pole to Mark Martin and finished 5th.
Then there was that first ever NASCAR race outside of North America with Dave Marcis driving the Midgley car, he was leading with 2 or 3 laps to go and Bobby Allison and Neil Bonnett stopped for tires for the caution and finished 1 and 2, with Marcis 3rd.
Now, driving for the team in Phakisa, will be John Mickel in the #09 car and Gary Lewis will be in the #90 car using his #73 ASA number.
With all the adventures Dick Midgley and wife Judy have had, this is definitively a fun Q&A!
RacingWest: When did you first hear about the race in South Africa and how did you get involved?
Dick Midgley: As I had participated in the previous Nascar trips that Dennis arranged, he phoned me about the South African race.
RW: On an excitement level of 1-10 with 10 being the highest, how would you rate this race and why?
DM: I would rate this race as 9 as it will be the first Speedway Stockcar race in Africa, with a lot of local interest and worldwide
RW: With all your travel to Australia and Japan, what is it that pulls you in to racing internationally? Why do you do it? What do you enjoy the most about it?
DM: Seeing another part of the world as I like to travel and meet different people.
RW: Have you ever traveled to Africa before? Are you familiar with the motorsports there? How do you think the ASA cars will be received?
DM: No I've never been to Africa before. No I'm not familiar with the motorsports there. I think the ASA cars will be received very well as from what I've seen and heard that there is going to be a top notch group of cars there.
RW: Gary Lewis and John Mickel will be racing for you. How were those drivers selected?
DM: When I was first invited, I contacted John Mickel as he had driven for me before. Dennis contacted me and asked if I could take a second car for Gary Lewis.
RW: How many crewmembers will you have on each car?
DM: 9 crew members on each car.
RW: Any safety concerns going to Africa either with the race or the country?
DM: We have no safety concerns going to Africa about the race or the country.
RW: What is the one thing you can’t leave home without that you have to take with you?
DM: Wife, Judy ;)
RW: What are the key differences between NASCAR preparing for the race and the ASA preparing for the race?
DM: The preparation for the 2 races are the same.
RW: Over the years we have seen a lot of different drivers in your car. Which one driver was the most entertaining to be around and why?
DM: Jim Richards from Australia was the best all round driver and was a pleasure to work with.
RW: What about the cars, will you be transporting them back or will you try to sell them there?
DM: I will bring the car Gary Lewis drives back home as this is the car we will use for the race in Phoenix.
RW: Do you plan on spending any extra time in Africa while you are there? If so what do you plan to do/see?
DM: We are going to spend some time in Johannesburg, Durban, Victoria Falls and then to Welkom early.
RW: Long ride over. How will you occupy yourself on the plane?
DM: Read and Sleep.
RW: As an experienced traveler do you pack light or pack for comfort?
DM: Pack for comfort.
RW: And finally when you think back to all the years of racing and travel, what one memory do you most cherish?
DM: Daytona 500 with Roy Smith and the road course in Japan, Suzuki, with Jim Richards.
Thank you for taking the time to chat with us!
