There's something bad in the schematic indeed. R3 have it's use... but not at the good place. Should be in serie with the transistor base. If you short it, you'll burn the transistor...

I'm curious.. i'll try to find some 12V motor (1A or more) 'round here today, and test the whole thing. Sure it's possible.

I'll dig in the transistor datasheet... sure there's something bad in their HFe mathe here....

Anyways, i'll be back!