Abreu and Hagen Return to NZ

Newly crowned 2014 USAC Midget Champion Rico Abreu, and 2012 USAC Midget Champion Darren Hagen will both make their way back to New Zealand this month to contest the 14/15 POWRi World Midget Series driving for the Terry Lines owned Team Vernon and Vazey Motorsport. Both were crowd favourites during their first time in New Zealand last season, and the two American Open Wheel stars are two of the fastest Midget racers in the US currently.
Two brand new Esslinger powered CP3 Midget chassis’ plus a race ready spare, are being assembled at Clark Performancein Auckland for the campaign by renowned TQ and Midget fabricator Tim Clark for the campaign, which will see the talented duo racing in both New Zealand and Australia during December 2014 and January 2015. The very experienced Clark and Steve Morris will oversee the setups for the two cars, and will be assisted by an equally experienced crew consisting of Steve Currie, Kevin Hyde, Connor Lines, Ian Larsen, Kyle Larsen, and Kerry Clark.

Twenty-two year-old Rico Abreu from Saint Helena, California, will hit the NZ shores in red hot form, coming off a career best season, with 24 victories across Winged 410 and 360 Sprintcars, Wingless Sprintcars, Midgets, Micro Sprints, and Outlaw Karts. Just last weekend, Abreu won his first USAC Midget Championship with a fifth place finish at the prestigious Turkey Night Midget Grand Prix in his #97 machine, holding off Kunz Motorsport teammate Christopher Bell, and Tracey Hines for the title. Ironically Bell raced and starred in New Zealand last season, and Hines will make his second trip to compete at Western Springs this month as well. Abreu’s Team Vernon and Vazey Motorsport CP3/Esslinger Midget will race with his regular #97 on the car.
Likewise twenty-seven year-old Hagen, from Riverside California, is a six-time USAC Champion on both dirt and pavement. ‘The Hawk’ has had a another solid season in the US driving the Shane Hmiel owned #56 Midget, finishing second in the 2014 Powri National Midget Series, scoring five wins. Just two weeks ago, Hagen also won the prestigious USAC Western World Midget Championship Feature at Canyon Raceway Park. Like Abreu, Hagen will race with his regular #56 on his Team Vernon and Vazey Motorsport CP3/Esslinger.
A full range of Team Vernon and Vazey Motorsport merchandise will be available at the tracks during the tour consisting of personalised Abreu and Hagen Caps and Shirts for both drivers, and Team Hoodies.
Team Vernon and Vazey Motorsport are supported by the BE Group, Vernon and Vazey Truck Parts NZ Car Parts, and Braxton Car Lights
For any further information please contact Connor Lines merchandise@vernonandvazey.co.nz.

Team Vernon and Vazey Motorsport 2014-2015 Schedule

New Zealand Racing 

18th December – Testing Patetonga

20th December – Huntly Speedway 

26th December – Western Spring Speedway – Teams Racing

27th December – Western Spring Speedway – 30 Lapper

30 December – Huntly Speedway 40 Lapper  

1st January – Western Spring Speedway – 40 Lap King of the Springs

3rd January – Western Spring Speedway – World 50 Lapper

5th January – Bay Park Speedway

Australian Racing

24th January – Archerfield Speedway

25th January – Archerfield Speedway 

30th January – Lismore Speedway

31th January – Lismore Speedway