Experienced Formula 500s racer Craig Bottrell thought he’d never get the opportunity to run a Sprintcar during his speedway career, but that all changed last season when father and son duo Greg and Ben Migro offered him the driver’s seat aboard their # 4 Murphy Limited Sprintcar.
Having raced Formula 500s since the late 1990s, Bottrell, from the Perth suburb of Leeming, Western Australia, was yet to set foot in a Sprintcar until midway through last year, when he was offered a drive in the Migro family-owned car, with competitive Limited Sprintcar driver Ben taking the season off.
Planning just to contest the Winter Series at Ellenbrook Speedway, one show quickly turned into the whole season, with the Migro family inviting Bottrell to remain on board throughout the full 2018-19 season calendar.
With around eight race meetings under their belt, the Bottrell and Migro combination was proving to be a strong one, picking up a trio of third-place finishes before breaking through to experience their first taste of victory at Bunbury Speedway.
Ringing in the New Year in the best possible fashion, Bottrell started out of position four for the 20-lap feature race and had already made his way into the runner-up spot by the opening lap, before making a charge for the lead in the closing stages of the race, which ultimately paid off.
“It’s honestly a surreal feeling just to be racing a Sprintcar, let alone scoring a feature-race win,” expressed Bottrell, who is the owner of Empire Graphics.
“I have to say a huge thank you to Greg and Ben for giving me the opportunity to run such a high-quality car, along with all of the sponsors for making this a possibility. Greg and Ben have been heavily involved in my introduction into Limited Sprintcars and I wouldn’t have been able to achieve this win without them.”
Currently sitting third in the Limited Sprintcar Association of WA point score, the next round of the point score will take place at Geraldton City Speedway on Australia Day (January 26), followed by an outing at Kalgoorlie International Speedway on February 16.
The team will then turn their attention to the Western Australian Title, which is set to take place at Narrogin Speedway on March 3, where they will be hoping to continue their front-running form.
Bottrell and the Migros BGT Racing team is proudly supported by the following 2018-19 sponsors:
Lend Me
Penrite
HRP Specialties
Asteel Powdercoating
Motorworld
Parr Motorsports
Performance Modifications
Total Eden
Briffa Race Engines
Sprintcar Parts Australia
BK Racing Ti Components
RC2 Filters
Empire Graphics
Perth Tree Services
C&R Motorsports Developments
Transit Clothing
TM Autos
Ralph Lewis
Murphy Solutions
Murphy Race Cars
Bottrell would like to give special thanks to Greg and Ben Migro, along with the rest of the Migro family, and hard-working pit-crew members: Tim, Jono and Brad.
To find out more about Bottrell’s 2018-19 season campaign with the Migros, LIKE them on Facebook by searching BGT Racing.
