Late Model beginnings...

Antonie began his racing career in 2001 in the late model class. He raced an ex Frans Du Toit car, purchased from Chris Liebenberg for one race, then stripped it and rebuilt it completely. He had a nearly devestating crash in Springbok when the car went through the armco and knocked a cooler box out from underneath a spectator (who happened to be an undertaker!).

The 2001 car 2002 colour scheme The Larry shaw car arrives in August 2003

The highlight of that season, though, was taking second place overall and winning the first race in PE at the old track. Quite an achievement for a rookie driver.

For the 2002-2003 season, the car was again stripped, but this time it was built completely new from the ground up. At this time they also ordered a car from Larry Shaw in America, the new car arrived in August 2003.

2002 larry Shaw car Antonie wins 2002 club championship

Antonie finished up the 2003 season in the Larry Shaw car, then stripped it and rebuilt it for the start of the 2004-2005 season. This season ended on a high for Antonie when he won the club championship. For the 2005-2006 season, again they changed the car with a new larry shaw chassis. Antonie competed in half of the season making the decision to change classes.

Antonie rebuilds larry shaw car Antonie earned the nickname "3 wheels Tallie" for stunts like this!.

New chapter....

Halfway through the 2005-2006 season, Antonie takes a decision to move to a more competitive class. They sell the late model and import a midget from America, which arrives with only one race left for the season. Antonie competes in this race with a USAC Ford Focus midget. He finishes up third behind eventual club champions Robert Kitching and Marco Prins.

Ford Focus arrives Ford duratec car

Antonie begins his first full season in the midget class for 2006-2007. The new car now has a ford 2.3 duratec engine and sports the blue/white and yellow design. Antonie takes part in the national tar event held at Killarney and claims the title of SA1. Although he did not take part in the dirt natinal, he also wins the club championship.

With Pit Mac, Mark Siegelberg at Killarney 2007-2008 Car

The 2007-2008 season begins. Antonie competes at Mayhem for the tar national and wins the event. He takes second place in the club championships behind Robert Kitching. In the off season, Antonie competes in the Kleinkaroo championship and wins that event as well.

The 2008-2009 season has started off really well for Antonie, although he missed a few races due to the fact that he went for a test run in America at Carolina Speedway (see photo gallery). At the recent first leg of the dirt nationals held at Worcester, Antonie had an impressive run winning all the races and thus winning the event.

Hobbies...

RC helicopters, RC planes, RC car, cycling, speed, fishing

Inspiration...

"I live for my family. Having a wife, kids, parents and friends that are so devoted to supporting me in every way makes it is easy to love sport and be motivated to do well."

"I was once told: 'He who comes second is the first loser'!"

Quotes from the pits....

"Brakes are for stopping in the pits" Anton Tallie (Dad)

"You practise in the race" Anton Tallie

"Do you know where the accelerator is?" Mark - Pit Mac

Favourites...

Colour - yellow

Food - sushi

Movie - The Pursuit of Happyness

Car - Pagani Zonda roadster

Driver - Donny Schatz, he races sprint cars in the US and Antonie had the pleasure of meeting him at Lowes Speedway in November 2008.

Donny Schatz

Ambition in racing...

To be able to run the chilli bowl and do well. January 2009 had more than 200 of the best drivers taking part including nascar sprint cars and late models.

Hardest part of racing...

Having to study every different formula and try to be successful everytime. getting to the top is easy - staying at the top is more difficult!

Best moment in racing...

Winning the tar national at Mayhem in Speedspot Pretoria

For any queries contact +27 (0)22 736 1283