| Robbie Farr Grabs Sprintcar Title Victory | ||||
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Robbie Farr has been one of Australia’s top sprintcar drivers for a numbers of years now, but last weekend racing at the Krikke Motorsport Teams home track in Bunbury, the “Action Man” took out the title that means the most to him and claimed the 2004 Australian Sprintcar Title. In winning the crown Robbie joins an elite group of Australian speedway drivers who have won both the Sprintcar and Speedcar national titles. Well it certainly hasn’t been one of Robbie’s best summers, but with the 2004 title being conducted at the Bunbury venue in Western Australia, the Toyota Genuine Parts/Krikke Motorsports team were hopping for a change of fortune. Robbie has been very successful in the past at the Bunbury City Raceway and was hoping for a return to the form of last season for one of the biggest meetings of the summer calendar. Right from his opening heat on the Friday evening, Robbie was simply “standin on the gas” taking out a victory in heat one after coming out of position 3. The “action man” again was moving forward in heat 5 and after starting from position 8, the #2 Avenger ended the heat race in fourth position. Starting from position 3 in the Friday nights preliminary A Main, things didn’t go Robbie’s way and got caught up in an opening lap incident that saw five cars getting tangled up. The red stoppage saw the slick Krikke team changing a couple of damaged wheels plus repairing bent steering components and after having to restart from the rear, Robbie forged his way forward greeting the checker in fifth position. It was a great drive from the “action man” and some more valuable points to add to the tally. The following night 38 teams were back at Bunbury for that all important finals night of action. With another two rounds of heats followed by the C and B Mains before the Main event, the Toyota Genuine Parts, PWR Radiators, Terry Shields Toyota, Valvoline, Mercure Hotel Parramatta, Quick Race Parts, A-1 Digital Signs, Revolution Racegear, Mega Motors, Vortex Wings, Bunbury Toyota Avenger was well placed with Robbie winning heat 12. That heat victory along with another great second placing in heat 16 was enough points to set him up for a front row starting position for the Main Event. Starting on the front row in the all important 40 lap A Main Title race, local ace Ryan Farrell led Robbie for the first five or so laps before Robbie took control. Around lap 20, as he hit heavy lapped traffic, the out going national champ Kerry Madsen got along side Robbie down the back chute and battled for the lead. Madsen spun out and that ended Robbie’s only challenge for his race lead. With Robbie now in command, he just forged away and while he did hit lapped cars later in the race, Robbie wasn’t challenged and continued on to take out a brilliant victory and the 2004 Australian Sprintcar Championship. “Its funny how things turn around, last year we were winning everything but this season it hasn’t been as good as we like. But to win the Title is so special and to win it at Shane’s home track was great. The team did an awesome job and I must thank Shane, all the guys on our team and to our sponsors for giving me the opportunity to take out this Title.” This Saturday night Robbie and the Toyota Genuine Parts, PWR Radiators, Terry Shields Toyota, Valvoline, Mercure Hotel Parramatta, Quick Race Parts, A-1 Digital Signs, Revolution Racegear, Mega Motors, Vortex Wings, Bunbury Toyota Avenger are staying in WA and be racing at Kwinana for the Westernapolis Classic honours. |