diff --git a/src/main.cpp b/src/main.cpp
index 7520667dd..8f64960bb 100644
--- a/src/main.cpp
+++ b/src/main.cpp
@@ -224,6 +224,11 @@ __attribute__((weak, noinline)) bool loopCanSleep()
     return true;
 }
 
+// Weak empty variant initialization function.
+// May be redefined by variant files.
+void lateInitVariant() __attribute__((weak));
+void lateInitVariant() {}
+
 /**
  * Print info as a structured log message (for automated log processing)
  */
@@ -1003,6 +1008,8 @@ void setup()
         }
     }
 
+    lateInitVariant(); // Do board specific init (see extra_variants/README.md for documentation)
+
 #if !MESHTASTIC_EXCLUDE_MQTT
     mqttInit();
 #endif
diff --git a/src/platform/extra_variants/README.md b/src/platform/extra_variants/README.md
new file mode 100644
index 000000000..e558502f0
--- /dev/null
+++ b/src/platform/extra_variants/README.md
@@ -0,0 +1,15 @@
+# About extra_variants
+
+This directory tree is designed to solve two problems.
+
+- The ESP32 arduino/platformio project doesn't support the nice "if initVariant() is found, call that after init" behavior of the nrf52 builds (they use initVariant() internally).
+- Over the years a lot of 'board specific' init code has been added to init() in main.cpp. It would be great to have a general/clean mechanism to allow developers to specify board specific/unique code in a clean fashion without mucking in main.
+
+So we are borrowing the initVariant() ideas here (by using weak gcc references). You can now define lateInitVariant() if your board needs it.
+
+If you'd like a board specific variant to be run, add the variant.cpp file to an appropriately named
+subdirectory and check for \_VARIANT_boardname in the cpp file (so that your code is only built for your board).
+You'll need to define \_VARIANT_boardname in your corresponding variant.h file.
+See existing boards for examples.
+
+This approach has no added runtime cost.
diff --git a/src/platform/extra_variants/heltec_wireless_tracker/variant.cpp b/src/platform/extra_variants/heltec_wireless_tracker/variant.cpp
new file mode 100644
index 000000000..84264ef58
--- /dev/null
+++ b/src/platform/extra_variants/heltec_wireless_tracker/variant.cpp
@@ -0,0 +1,34 @@
+#include "configuration.h"
+
+#ifdef _VARIANT_HELTEC_WIRELESS_TRACKER
+
+#include "GPS.h"
+#include "GpioLogic.h"
+#include "graphics/TFTDisplay.h"
+
+// Heltec tracker specific init
+void lateInitVariant()
+{
+    // LOG_DEBUG("Heltec tracker initVariant\n");
+#ifdef VEXT_ENABLE
+    GpioPin *hwEnable = new GpioHwPin(VEXT_ENABLE);
+    GpioVirtPin *virtGpsEnable = gps ? gps->enablePin : new GpioVirtPin();
+
+    // On this board we are actually using the backlightEnable signal to already be controlling a physical enable to the
+    // display controller.  But we'd _ALSO_ like to have that signal drive a virtual GPIO.  So nest it as needed.
+    GpioVirtPin *virtScreenEnable = new GpioVirtPin();
+    if (TFTDisplay::backlightEnable) {
+        GpioPin *physScreenEnable = TFTDisplay::backlightEnable;
+        GpioPin *splitter = new GpioSplitter(virtScreenEnable, physScreenEnable);
+        TFTDisplay::backlightEnable = splitter;
+
+        // Assume screen is initially powered
+        splitter->set(true);
+    }
+
+    // If either the GPS or the screen is on, turn on the external power regulator
+    new GpioBinaryTransformer(virtGpsEnable, virtScreenEnable, hwEnable, GpioBinaryTransformer::Or);
+#endif
+}
+
+#endif
\ No newline at end of file
diff --git a/variants/heltec_wireless_tracker/variant.h b/variants/heltec_wireless_tracker/variant.h
index 46e922eb5..79fa0e801 100644
--- a/variants/heltec_wireless_tracker/variant.h
+++ b/variants/heltec_wireless_tracker/variant.h
@@ -1,5 +1,6 @@
 #define LED_PIN 18
 
+#define _VARIANT_HELTEC_WIRELESS_TRACKER
 #define HELTEC_TRACKER_V1_X
 
 // I2C
@@ -31,7 +32,8 @@
 // GPS UC6580:          GPS V_DET(8), VDD_IO(7), DCDC_IN(21), pulls up RESETN(17), D_SEL(33) and BOOT_MODE(34) through 10kR
 // GPS LNA SW7125DE:    VCC(4), pulls up SHDN(5) through 10kR
 // LED:                 VDD, LEDA (through diode)
-#define VEXT_ENABLE 3 // active HIGH - powers the GPS, GPS LNA and OLED VDD/anode
+
+#define VEXT_ENABLE 3 // active HIGH - powers the GPS, GPS LNA and OLED
 #define VEXT_ON_VALUE HIGH
 #define BUTTON_PIN 0