As the 2016 WA 360 Sprintcar Champion, Michael Keen knows what it takes to win.
After a heartbreaker in 2017, Keen hopes to find redemption on the banks of Perth Motorplex during the running of the WA 360 Sprintcar Title as part of the Kwinana Cup Super Speedway.
“My goal for the event is simply to win. I had a massive chance to take back-to-back titles before a broken steering line let go in the final last year,” he said. “Now this could possibly be my last year racing, so I want to get in the history book with one of my favourite drivers Ben Ellement and of course Michael Figliomeni, both two-time title winners.”
The 22 year old fitter and machinist has been racing for half a decade now, first in Wingless Sprints before moving into Sprintcars three years ago.
“Driving Sprintcars is just insane,” Keen said. “There’s really no other word to describe it; you don’t have a lot of time to think or react before things happen.”
Keen is one of the drivers racing alongside a family member this weekend – brother Daniel. Michael said he used to go easy on his sibling, but no longer.
“Racing with family is awesome, I find it a big bonding time that gets everyone away from work talk,” he said.
“On the track I did treat Daniel differently to the other racers, giving a lot more room and not doing the 50/50 moves, until I realised he wasn’t being as nice back! I consider myself a clean racer and now it’s a level playing field for everyone.”
Despite only one night of racing under his belt for the season so far, Keen believes he is coming into the event with good form, having finished third at the Scardifields Smash Repairs King of Wings just one week ago.
“The season so far has been really good. I was a bit rusty to start with but then when we got rolling I felt very comfortable and confident in myself and my race car.”
The Kwinana Cup Super Speedway includes not just the TW Mechanical 360 Sprintcars in their State Title, but also the Sims Metal Management Late Models, Pool Shop Speedcars and the Wingless Sprints.
Gates open for the Kwinana Cup Super Speedway at 4.30pm, with heats from 5pm and the main show from 6pm.
