From Quarter Midgets to F125 — Keeping the Wheels Turning in Narrogin

More than twenty six years ago, in the country town of Narrogin, a grassroots idea roared to life. The Quarter Midget program began as a hands-on way for local youth to race, learn, and build their futures.

The Lotteries Commission, Narrogin Police and Safer WA, plus some long-term members of the speedway scene and a champion racer came together to make it happen. 
It was never just about racing. The founders wanted young people to gain practical experience, teamwork skills, and life readiness — creating opportunities to complete certifications and training that would strengthen their resumes and career prospects. It gave country kids a reason to belong, to challenge themselves, and to develop discipline and confidence in a supportive, family-driven environment.

Back then, the paddock was as much a classroom as the track. Kids learned how to service their engines, manage safety checks, communicate under pressure, and work together as a crew. Every weekend became a blend of mentorship, motorsport, and mateship, where learning felt like play and responsibility grew naturally through experience.

Evolution of a Legacy

Today, the Quarter Midget program still exists, though it runs very differently from the founders’ original format. Modern iterations have shifted toward structured competition models, with advanced safety systems, national affiliations, and formalised age-group racing.

While the heart of the sport remains the same — building confidence, coordination, and camaraderie — the original Narrogin program was uniquely community-led and holistic. It emphasised education and inclusion, blending motorsport with vocational learning and teamwork, not just trophies.

That spirit of learning through doing — the “race and learn” model — is what Kindred Instinct Support Services (KISS) is now reigniting through its Youth Motorsport Pathway Program.

A Family Legacy — The Madden Motorstory

For KISS Founder Kym Sonja Pascal, this vision began at home.
Her father, Keith Madden, was a competitive solo speedway rider in Western Australia during the 1960s and 1970s. He raced at legendary tracks such as Claremont Speedway and Bunbury Speedway, lining up alongside names like Glyn Taylor, Les Leisk, and Abe Schneider.

Keith’s career was marked by determination, mechanical knowledge, and sportsmanship. Competing in WA championship circuits, he earned respect for his steady discipline and his willingness to mentor others in the pits.

“Dad’s passion for speedway wasn’t just about the race,” says Kym. “It was about the community, teamwork, and pride that surrounded it. Watching him helped me understand that motorsport builds more than drivers — it builds people.”

Through her father’s example, Kym recognised the scope and space that motorsport could offer rural youth — and saw the potential to revive those pathways in a modern, inclusive way.

Full Throttle Passion — Backing Youth & Building Next-Gen Champions

That vision has come full circle with KISS now sponsoring three talented young women in the F125 Speedway class:

Jasmin Ellis
Georgia Ellis
Sophie Leonard

Their podium sweep in Narrogin is more than a win — it’s a symbol of legacy, learning, and leadership. These drivers represent the next generation of country champions: skilled, confident, and grounded in community values.

Through KISS’s Full Throttle Passion initiative, rural youth gain the chance to:
- Learn mechanical and safety skills hands-on
- Develop leadership and teamwork abilities
- Earn accredited training and career-ready skills
- Gain mentorship and support networks
- Build confidence both on and off the track

Looking ahead to 2026, there will be even greater opportunities for participants to upskill, gain certifications, and complete structured work experience. The program will also include trips to Perth for social activities, team building, and exposure to larger-scale motorsport and career pathways — keeping the spirit of learning and connection at the heart of every experience.

Carrying the Torch Forward

The Quarter Midget founders’ dream still echoes through Narrogin’s dirt and dust.
Though today’s programs may look different, the purpose remains timeless: to give young people a chance to find their lane, learn from community, and grow through connection.

KISS proudly carries that torch forward — fuelled by Keith Madden’s legacy, Kym Pascal’s leadership, and the next generation of racers who prove that when passion meets purpose, great things happen.

Kym Sonja Pascal