Krikke Boys Shootout History

BY: Ken Brown

1997-98
1. Michael Figliomeni
2. Rick Martin ( USA )
3. Jamie Maiolo

The very first Krikke Boys Shootout was staged at the Bunbury City Speedway on March 21, 1998 . The 30-lap final started off in controversial fashion when American visitor Randy Hannagan and then South Aussie Trevor Green disputed being given the black flag by the officials and both parked their cars on the circuit. When the racing resumed it was Ron Krikke and Ryan Farrell who were battling it out for the lead. Farrell took over the front running, then the leaders came together – with Krikke being sent to the rear. Around 11 laps from home Farrell slowed along the back straight, giving the lead to Speedcar star Michael Figliomeni who was replacing his injured uncle Ray Geneve. Figliomeni went on to claim the win – and the $10,000 first prize – ahead of American visitor Rick Martin and Myalup youngster Jamie Maiolo.

1998-99
1. Robbie Farr (NSW)
2. Ron Krikke
3. Randy Hannagan ( USA )

Hannagan was back in town the following season (1998-99) and took over the early lead from Ron Krikke. Midway through the event Krikke found his way past the American ace, who was then rounded up by Sydney driver Robbie Farr. Five laps from home Farr wrested the lead off Krikke, with Hannagan coming in third.

1999-00
1. Robbie Farr (NSW)
2. Ron Krikke
3. Ryan Farrell

Farr returned the following year to defend his title, driving the Sean Carren Maxim. Despite the rear-end collapsing as Farr prepared to dice with Ron Krikke in the two-lap knockout, the New South Welshman bounced back to drive superbly in the feature race. The track proved to be pretty rough towards the end but it was Farr’s aggressive style that saw him finish in front of Ron Krikke and Ryan Farrell.

2000-01
1. Michael Figliomeni
2. Skip Jackson (NSW)
3. Garry Brazier (NSW)

The 2000-01 event saw Max Dumesny (NSW) power into the lead, after starting from the seventh row of the grid. Michael Figliomeni moved up to second (after starting from the rear of the 20-car field ) ahead of Farr, who was forced to head for the infield. Dumesny was well clear of the opposition, only to have his right rear tyre remarkably blow as he came up to get the white flag. Figliomeni inherited the lead and crossed the line ahead of Sydney pair Skip Jackson and Garry Brazier.

2001-02
1. Terry Cutts
2. Paul McMahan USA )
3. Ken Sartori

The fifth running of the Krikke Boys Shootout saw the drivers controversially contest a pair of 25-lap feature races. This unique format was only ever adopted during this event and never subsequently repeated. The first one went to American Paul McMahan over Terry Cutts, Ken Sartori, Pino Priolo and Michael Figliomeni. Race two saw Cutts down Ryan Farrell, McMahan, Sartori and Jamie Maiolo. Emotion was high as the winner’s cheque was handed to Cutts, as he had endured family tragedy ironically involving a car accident fatality of a close friend during the week prior to the event.

The final point score tally was – Terry Cutts 190, Paul McMahan 180, Ken Sartori 150, Pino Priolo 120, Jamie Maiolo 110 and Ryan Farrell 90.

2002-03
1. Robbie Farr (NSW)
2. Paul McMahan (USA)
3. Ryan Farrell

A year later we saw Robbie Farr (driving the Shane Krikke #2 Genuine Toyota Parts Avenger) set fast time of 13.75 seconds over Jeff Leisk and Max Dumesny. The main saw Farr lead all the way over Paul McMahan and Ryan Farrell for his third Krikke Boys Shootout victory – however this time were even greater emotional scenes on the infield at the presentation ceremony, as Farr had won this event for the Shane Krikke team’s first ever win in the event. Farr was clocked at 6:20.02 for the 25-lap journey, a time some 6 seconds outside Ron Krikke’s track record set back in 1999.

2003-04
1. Max Dumesny (NSW)
2. Michael Figliomeni
3. Ken Sartori

Talented local Ken Sartori stopped the clocks at 13.27 seconds to best Robbie Farr and Max Dumesny. At the green it was Farr who jumped out ahead of Dumesny , WA Champion Mark Wells and Jamie Maiolo. Then Dumesny slid sideways and lost several places. During a race stoppage Wells exited his car and then was black flagged when he returned to the circuit. Up front Farr still showed the way to Dumesny and Michael Figliomeni. With 13 remaining Dumesny slid underneath Farr, who exited soon afterwards. The reds came on as the officials tried to get Wells off the track. He refused to leave and was eventually towed off onto the infield, as the crowd vented their anger on the men in charge. As the cars were restarted Wells was pushed off and he was easily the most popular guy in the entire Bunbury area. The final stanza of the drama filled event was a bit of an anti-climax as Dumesny cleared out from Figliomeni and Sartori. Emotions again ran high as this was Max Dumesny’s first ever Krikke Boys Shootout victory, despite the fact he had contested every event since its inception!

Robbie Farr secured yet another Krikke Boys Crown in 2005 in front of a Bunbury City Speedway record crowd…and to think…the best chapters are yet to be written – who will prevail in the 9th Annual Krikke Boys Shootout on March 4 & 5, 2006, presented by Ron and John Krikke themselves!