KINGSHOTT IMPRESSES; MADSEN READY TO GO
IT has certainly been a busy Christmas-New Year period for the Krikke Motorsport team, but their 2023-24 season is set to get even busier. Following regular team driver Dayne Kingshott continuing his solid season by securing a podium finish overall in the final USA VS WA Speedweek Series point standings, the team will this week be welcoming back Kerry Madsen for a short Australian stint.
After six rounds of the USA VS WA Speedweek Series coming up against some of the world’s best 410 Sprintcar drivers, including Americans Brad Sweet and Rico Abreu, Kingshott managed to perform consistently with numerous impressive results and by virtue of this he finished third in the final USA VS WA Speedweek Series point standings behind winner Callum Williamson and second-placed Abreu. Kingshott had finished in equal second, but he lost the position due to a countback to Abreu.
“This season’s USA VS WA Speedweek Series was by far the toughest it’s ever been, and it was great having the quality of international drivers, like Brad Sweet and Rico Abreu, come over, as their presence certainly helps lift the standard of competition here in Western Australia,” commented Kingshott, whose USA VS WA Speedweek Series highlight came via third-place finish in the fourth round at the Perth Motorplex.
“To finish the USA VS WA Speedweek Series as one of the highest placing locals was a big thrill, and although we had some rounds that were harder than others, the team and I always kept our focus and worked our way back to the front of the field.”
For Kingshott, his USA VS WA Speedweek Series campaign saw him not finish outside the top-10 finishers, following a sixth, a fifth, a ninth, a third, a fifth and a seventh over the six rounds. On occasions during the USA VS WA Speedweek Series, Kingshott was forced to come from deep in the field, but he showed a lot of skill and determination aboard the WA # 2 Mobil 1 / Bunbury Toyota supported Maxim to get back to the pointy end of the field.
As a result of his solid USA VS WA Speedweek Series performance, Kingshott has been able to maintain his current Maddington Toyota Series point standings lead.
“A strong run throughout Speedweek has done our Maddington Toyota Series winning hopes no harm, as we were able to collect a good bag of points at each of the rounds, and the team and I are really pleased about that,” Kingshott commented.
“There were occasions over Speedweek when the team and I had our backs to the wall, but we fought through it and were able to salvage a result, which are moments that can potentially define our team’s Maddington Toyota Series winning hopes at season’s end.”
The focus for the Krikke Motorsport team turns to their east coast trip with star driver Kerry Madsen over the next fortnight. The American-based Australian will reunite with the team to contest this Thursday night’s King’s Challenge at Borderline Speedway (SA), followed by the Grand Annual Classic at Premier Speedway (Vic) on January 19, 20 and 21, and then the Australian 410 Sprintcar Championship back at Premier Speedway on January 26 and 27.
“We are looking forward to having Kerry back with the team, we had a good run with him last summer here and he’s coming off a good season in America, so we are quietly confident we will be able to hit the ground running,” enthused Krikke Motorsport team manager Ryan Krikke.
“This season’s east coast trip is more experience for our team’s crew chief Matty (Cochrane), as well as our regular team driver Dayne who will be coming over with us, so it’s good exposure for them both. Competing in the Grand Annual Classic and the Australian Championship gets us out of our comfort zone, which is important, as it is next level for sure! It’s a very exciting time for the whole team.”
After the Australian Championship weekend with Madsen, the Krikke Motorsport team will return to the west coast, where Kingshott will continue his Maddington Toyota Series campaign with the next round on February 3 at Kingshott and the team’s home track: Bunbury Speedway.
Final USA VS WA Speedweek Series Point Standings (after 6 completed rounds):
1 Callum Williamson – 862 points
2 Rico Abreu – 830
3 Dayne Kingshott – 830
4 Brock Zearfoss – 818
5 Kaiden Manders – 796
Latest Maddington Toyota Sprintcar Series Point Standings (after 10 rounds):
1 Dayne Kingshott – 1686 points
2 James Inglis – 1664
3 Brad Maiolo – 1596
4 Kaiden Manders – 1578
5 Jamie Maiolo – 1574
The Krikke Motorsport team would like to thank their 2023-24 season supporters:
• Mobil 1
• Bunbury Toyota
• Maxwill Racing Engines
• PWR Advanced Cooling Technology
• Redline Media
• Hough Cabinets
• RPM Race Products
• Taralea Farm Macadamias
• Performance Racegear
• P1 Advanced Racewear Australia and New Zealand
• Number 4 Composites
• AFCO Shock Doctor
• Resolve Automotive Spraypainters
• Blackbeard Custom Designs
• JP Signs
• www.krikkemotorsport.store
To keep up to date with the Krikke Motorsport team, visit their website at krikkemotorsport.com.au or follow them on their social-media channels – Facebook, Instagram, and Twitter – by searching Krikke Motorsport.
Photo: Richard Hathaway Photography