About Us

Hi, all fellow dirt track racing fans. I know it’s “April Fool’s” day today, but I could not wait to introduce myself as the new owner of NZ Dirt Track Racing Magazine.

I also publish NZ Autocar magazine, www.autocar.co.nz as well as Velocity News, www.velocitynews.co.nz

I intend to expand NZDTM coverage of Dirt track racing and improve the quality of the magazine itself, which will become very evident when you get your hands on the May issue of the magazine.

My name is Mark James Petch, and I started out initially as a young 12-year-old, helping hose down Barry Butterworth’s midget whenever he came down to my hometown New Plymouth’s speedway, sadly long since gone

Image credits: Autocar

Image from “The flying brick: Volvo 240t Group A touring car” Autocar

When I moved to Auckland and had a little more muscle, I graduated to become a proud member of Barry’s team at Western Springs. When Barry retired, I carried on with Ian Holden, who took over the Russel and Cartwright-owned Offenhauser-powered midget car.

Although I took up tarmac racing, I continued to be involved in Speedway as a sponsor of Graham Standring until he to hung up his helmet. Today we, Racer Products, are proud sponsors of Michael Pickens.

Racer Products are the exclusive NZ distributor of Impact Racing products, OMP racewear, Woodward steering systems etc.; we are also the largest stockist of Bell Helmets, Tilton, and Hawk brake pads.