IT is no secret sprintcar ace Brooke Tatnell is now driving out of Mount Gambier in the Scott Motorsports number 55 car.
Tatnell is back in his home country for a few short weeks, targeting various races, including the Australian titles next week.
Tatnell brings his former crew chief Peter Caporn across from Western Australia to add a vital piece to the puzzle.
After losing his drive with Krikke Motorsport after last season, there was some doubt about whether Tatnell would return to Australia from the United States, but after a long talk this week at the base of Scott Motorsports, there was no question about Tatnell’s motives for returning and his passion for the sport of sprintcar racing.
TBW sports editor Trevor Jackson: What made you decide to return to Australia to race sprintcars?
Brooke Tatnell: I was coming back no matter what. Somewhere, somehow, someone has the illusion I did not want to keep coming back to Australia. That’s not the case. I plan on coming back for many years. We had to find the right situation, the right team with the right chemistry that was the right package to come back for. When Ray (Scott) called about this, it was the right package.
TJ: What about your break with Krikke Motorsport? Does that effect your work here with the Scott’s team?
BT: I have a mission to prove right now. Any time you get fired, you are out to prove they made a mistake. When you go to a new team, you are there to prove they have made the right choice. We all get hired and fired from jobs. We all make choices and move on. We are here to focus on what we have with the Scott’s deal and I am very fortunate to have all that available. I have known Ray for a long time. This is something that is not just about race cars and race results, it’s about being passionate. The only thing you can ever ask from a car owner, will be passionate about and have a love for the sport. If he gives you the tools, you have the three ingredients needed. That passion and love for the sport is sometimes as important as the tools to get the job done. I was happy and comfortable (with the deal) before I even started the race car.
TJ: What is the hardest part of this season?
BT: If I had an open cheque book, I would have my family here. That is the toughest part. When Ray put this deal together he said “You can do whatever races you want, but the only thing is, we are going to make sure you have Christmas Day with your wife and kids, because that time you cannot get back”. I have brought my family out here nearly every year. My family is my biggest supporter, but because we are here for three weeks, it is just too tough.
TJ: You have won nine world series, five Australian titles, a World of Outlaws, a Grand Annual Classic, the King’s Challenge. At 46 years of age, what is left to achieve and when will it be time to call it a day?
BT: There is still a lot to achieve. There is a lot more that I want to win. I plan on coming back for another 10 years, if I can find the right ride and have the right people around me. I do not have any intention of slowing down or stopping. I would still like to go back and run World Series and chase my 10th championship, but it has to be the right situation with the right people. I do not know what the future holds, but I have no intentions of slowing down or not coming back. I have made the statement before the time this stops being fun is the day I will walke away and find a new passion.
TJ: How big an impression did your father have on your career?
BT: You are only as good as your last race, so the only legacy that will ever stand the test of time is how you treat people. I saw how my dad treated his fans and that is why people still talk about George Tatnell 12 years after he has passed. Everything I do I question myself, did I treat that kid right? You have to give back to those race fans. I still have a lot of people who were George Tatnell fans and supporters and they have rolled over to us. I’m smart enough to try to ride on the coat tails of my dad’s legacy and there is nothing wrong with that because of what he did for the sport . People know how passionate he was in the sport. I still remember a horror story from Rockhampton in 1984. I went up to a driver and asked for an autograph, but he would not sign one because he had an issue with my dad on the race track. From that day on I said I would never say no to a fan.
TJ: What are the major driving factors in your return to Australia this year and what can fans expect from Brooke Tatnell on the race track?
BT: I am here for one reason and that is to win races. This is how I put food on my table for my kids. This is how I put my kids through school. Winning races means I am taking care of my family. I am not here for a holiday, this is my business so I am 100pc focused on winning. But I also love doing this and you will not find anyone who has more passion for racing than I do.
TJ: What is one of the major hurdles to your success over the coming weeks, including the Australian titles at the Borderline Speedway?
BT: I am only worried about the guy who is on top of the heap. Kerry Madsen is on top of the heap right now. He is driving with a wave of confidence, he has a good package, a good team around him, he has everything at his disposal. I worry about what we have to do to beat him and what is going on under our own roof. There is no magic to this sport. Everyone can go and buy the same equipment. It is how you blend the personalities and everyone within the team. Everyone has their jobs. My duty is what I have to do on that race track.
