Born and raised in Tauranga, racer Luke McClymont is preparing for the New Zealand Midget car racing title.

The 21-year-old has been racing for eight years, however, has only been racing midget cars for three months.

“It’s a good adrenaline rush for sure,” he says.

With only three months of midget car racing experience, Luke claimed his first major victory on Saturday, January 13.

“I’m new at it, but I’m still doing quite well.”

Luke says he was kindly offered the opportunity to race the midget by Brett & Leight Morris of Seamount Racing.

His home track win in the North Island Championship was a huge achievement for him.

“It was my first feature and quite a win as well, it was pretty surreal. I didn’t think it would happen so early.”

Luke is a third-generation racer of his family with his dad racing for 25 years and his “pop” & “grandad” [both of Luke’s grandfathers] racing before that.

Luke says his training involves runs and push bikes to keep up his endurance.

In terms of the future, Luke says “The plan is to hopefully continue in the midgets and see where that goes, because they can go overseas in America.”

Luke has got his eye on the national title. File Photo.

Luke is supposed to be racing locally at Baypark this weekend January 27.

However, due to being down in Christchurch last weekend and having the New Zealand title coming up soon, he says he may give it a miss.

He says he wants to keep his focus on the national title.

Luke says if he was to race this weekend at Baypark he would be using his old 6 Shooter V6 Wingless Sprintcar.

This is an old family-owned car that is a bit slower, he says.

“You can buy one of them for like $20,000, and then the midget car’s motor alone is $120,000.”

Luke is feeling prepared and as confident as he can be for the New Zealand Midget title on the third and fourth of February.

Luke advises younger midget car racers to “Keep working on your goals,” and “Keep giving everything your best shot.”

Luke thanks his sponsors: Seamount Racing, McLeod Cranes, CB Caravans and RV Centre, Tree Control, Linkup Paints BOP Ltd and Hynds Tauranga, Danz Engineering, and Grime off.

"Without the support of Seamount Racing and these businesses, it would still just be a lifelong dream and not a reality.

"If there are any businesses out there looking to get involved in the sport by way of sponsorship, please contact me."

You can contact Luke by emailing lukemcclymont5m@gmail.com.