Racing to win, every time a driver hits the track, is the goal of every sprintcar driver in the country. But tonight, Brooke Tatnell had more than just a win on his mind as he contested the first round of World Series Sprintcars at Brisbane International Raceway.

He was racing to silence the critics who had him done and dusted assuming he would crumble under the pressure of returning to Australia and taking on the best the Nation has to offer in the country’s elite racing series whilst still recovering from his injuries sustained in the US.

After time trialling second behind Australia’s favourite sprintcar son and stalwart Max Dumesny, Tatnell set his mind onto the task of finishing up the pointy end of his heat races from the rear of the pack. And although unable to secure a first place in his heats, Tatnell made some great passing moves and created some luck for himself finishing 3rd in his first heat and an 8th place in his second.

This kept him in the top two spot with Dumesny as they headed into the new format of a ‘Top Eight Shootout’.

The new format consists of the drivers who place eight, seventh, sixth and fifth on points hitting the track and competing against the clock and each other to vie for the top two quickest times. Those two drivers then go onto the next round as the slowest two drivers take up positions eight and seven on the A main grid. Then point scorers four and three take up a position on the track and compete against the remaining two drivers and once again the top two go on to face off with second highest and the top point scorer as the slowest are to start in positions six and five in the A.

This new format allows for a driver who has qualified 8th on points to be able to work his way through the pack during the shootout and perhaps gain a front row start in the A main.

And that is just what Ryan Farrell, driving for Monte Motorsport was able to achieve tonight; Qualifying in eighth place on points Farrell worked his way through the shootout rounds and placed himself in second position and giving him a shot at the outside row of the A Main Feature.

After witnessing Farrell’s determination and drive through the shootout Tatnell knew that a feature race win tonight was not going to be a given.

“We definitely played the smart game here tonight to win this event. Pete and Shane-o had the car where I just had to run it at 9/10th’s but it still had the reserve necessary when we came into lapped traffic and other drivers’ mistakes. I tell you this car is just like that old recliner rocker that the wife wants to throw out, but it’s just so comfortable you feel so relaxed in it.” quoted a confident Tatnell after the nights proceedings.

Mentally and physically this first round of World Series was always going to be a challenge for Krikke MotorSport after most of the field had already had a handful of race meetings up their sleeve this season. But this didn’t faze the team at all as they set about their business of tackling each race on its own merit and racing for points in each event.

Crew Chief Pete Caporn had this to say after their feature race win. “It’s always great to get a win and especially first night back together as a team. I was a little apprehensive before the night as I would have liked to have been able to give the car a shakedown before we got here for round 1.” “ I guess the odds were against us a bit and a lot of people had written us off so it feels great to have answered back in the best possible way. We’ve got a little bit of tinkering to do and I still think there is room for improvement, but all in all we’re very happy.”

“I couldn’t be happier with the results tonight.” commented Team Owner Shane Krikke, “Our Toyota Genuine Parts Cool car was prepared so meticulously by our crew chief Pete Caporn and Brooke is in such a determined frame of mind that I felt comfortable in not being there. But sitting at home waiting to hear what was happening is a definite pain in the butt let me tell you. And that was just round one! Imagine what it will be like as the season rolls on and I am unable to attend. I think Jode might have to replace some worn tiles in the office near the computer after I have paced back and forth and worn them down.”

Brooke Tatnell and Krikke MotorSport now hit the road and head north to Toowoomba and Charlton Raceway as they hope to back up their win with another podium result in Round 2 of Performance Wholesale’s World Series Sprintcars on Saturday, 28th of November.

If you’re up that way and you’re planning on heading to the track, don’t forget to go down into the pits after the race meeting and catch a glimpse of the new KMS and Brooke Tatnell merchandise that has just been released. If you liked our past ranges, you’re going to love this seasons gear.

Krikke MotorSport would like to thank the following sponsors and corporate partners for the support during the upcoming 2009/2010 sprintcar season:
Toyota Genuine Parts, AJC All Colour Painting Group, Maxwill Race Engines, Cool Chassis, Mercure Hotel Parramatta, PWR Performance Products, Alberts Car Stereo, Pioneer, Revolution Racegear, BR Motorsports, Vortex, Valvoline, Mega Motors, A.Lucas Spraypainters, GT Fabrication, A1 Sign Shop, Bunbury Toyota and BCM Motorsport Marketing for their much valued support and welcome them as a part of the team.

*This press release has been authorised and distributed by Jodie Krikke for Krikke MotorSport Media