At 16 years old, Waihi racer Regan Le Cheminant is preparing for one of the biggest transitions of his young motorsport career. After recording 53 wins across Speedway NZ, CTRA and black tracks in the Ministock division, Le Cheminant is now stepping into the F2 Midget class, competing under the 55M at Baypark Speedway.

Le Cheminant’s introduction to speedway began early, influenced heavily by family involvement in the sport. Weekends were spent at local tracks with his father and cousins, eventually leading him to start racing at age 11. In February 2025, he reached a significant milestone when he collected his 50th club win at the Waihi Beach Dirt Track Club.

His move into F2 Midgets represents a major change in machinery. The shift from a roughly 50-horsepower Ministock to a 300-horsepower F2 Midget weighing significantly less presents clear challenges. His father, Mike, describes the jump as “going from about 50 horsepower to 300 horsepower with half the weight,” a transition he says demands discipline and adaptability.

When asked about the biggest challenge in moving to the new class, Le Cheminant said he is still learning how the car behaves.
“The biggest challenge is probably learning the car and how it handles and what setups to use,” he said. “I wouldn’t say I’ve fully adapted yet, but I’m slowly getting there.”

His goals for the season reflect a measured approach, focusing on consistency and development rather than results.
“The main goal is to finish every race, stay consistent, learn the car and just have fun with a more powerful car,” he said.

Although Baypark will serve as his home track, he is no stranger to racing around the North Island. He has competed on many circuits during his Ministock career, though he is aware that each track will feel different in an F2 Midget.
“We’ll be doing some travelling this season on the same tracks, but this time it’s in a completely different car,” he said. “That will be a big learning curve too.”

Like many young drivers, Le Cheminant has long looked up to one of New Zealand’s most accomplished open-wheel racers.
“Ever since my first time going to speedway as a kid, I’ve always looked up to Michael Pickens and his racing success,” he said. “I’ve always wanted to be like him.”

He approaches driving with a preference for a balanced setup and a thoughtful on-track strategy.
“I like between a loose and a tight car,” he explained. “A little trick is just to be patient—but not too patient—and then make the gap when the timing is right.”

His race preparation remains simple, built around hydration rather than rituals or superstition.
“I just drink heaps of water to stay hydrated,” he said.

Away from racing, Le Cheminant maintains an active lifestyle that supports his fitness on the track.
“When I’m not racing, I like to go surfing, play badminton and enjoy golf,” he said. “I do martial arts, go for runs and work on my fitness when I get the time.”

Regan’s focus and discipline extend beyond speedway. He will also be representing New Zealand in karate, with a tour to Australia planned for next year. The mental and physical training from martial arts, he says, helps him stay sharp on the track.

Regan does Martial arts karate in Gosok and Goju . with I.K.A. International Karate Association. Regan grades for black belt in Goju on 29th Nov

“Karate keeps me disciplined, focused, and fit,” he said. “It’s a different challenge, but it definitely helps my racing mindset.”

As the new season begins, the F2 Midget class will provide strong competition and a steep learning environment. Le Cheminant’s progress will be closely watched as he adapts to the increased power, develops racecraft in the open-wheel division, and builds consistency across both home and away events.

At the end of the interview, he expressed appreciation for the opportunity to share his story and thank his sponsors who without wouldnt be possible living the dream.

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“Thank you for the questions and the opportunity to introduce myself,” he said.

His results in the coming months will reveal how quickly he can turn potential into performance.