Eight times World Series Sprintcars Champion, Brooke Tatnell will return to a full time, Championship chasing ride for this year’s WSS Series when he connects with his former team, Krikke Motorsport.
After a difficult couple of seasons both in Australia and the US, which has included injury and an amicable sabbatical from the Krikke team, Tatnell will return home to the Krikke Cool Chassis after American star, Tim Kaeding elected not to return this summer after a breakout season in the World of Outlaws.
To take arguably the most coveted ride in Australian Sprintcar racing, Tatnell had to be released from a contract he held with Sydney stalwarts, Barry and Vivian Lewis.
“I was very excited to receive Shane’s phone call and be offered the seat in the KMS ‘Hot Rod’, and I’m appreciative of the time Shane has given me to make the right decision as I know his phone has been running hot,” Tatnell said.
“I am not here as a substitute driver but here to redeem what was a bad season last year by our standards for both KMS and myself in the SCR (Steve Caunt Racing) deal. I did however point out to Shane and Ryan that I hate the number two on the tail tank so we will be gunning to change that number.”
The return of Tatnell to KMS sets up a tantalising proposition for World Series organisers, with the icon of the Championship taking the challenge to the now twice WSS Champion and current Australian Champion, James McFadden – who will not be keen to relinquish his crown as the young star of the Australian Sprintcar scene.
Team owner Shane Krikke has vowed that Tatnell and his entire team are after redemption:
“We are practically family and to have (Brooke) back and being able to contest the full World Series schedule again and the other major dates on the calendar is great,” said Krikke.
“I think after the past 12 months we all have something to prove and I can tell you when Brooke has his mind set on something like this and his back to the wall, that is when he is at his best!”
Tatnell will undergo a number of shakedown runs beginning with the WA State Title at the Perth Motorplex on December 7 before the ENZED World Series Sprintcars Championship chase begins on Boxing Night at Adelaide’s Speedway City.
