Brooke Tatnell goes home to help father

Brooke Tatnell Heads Home To Help Father Battle Cancer

Wilmot, WI -- Sept. 22, 2006 -- By Chris Dolack, VP Public Relations

Everybody has a hero, somebody they look up to in life. For Brooke Tatnell, that person is his father, George, a legendary sprint car driver in Australia.

Having the best year of his career, Brooke battles with the other World of Outlaws competitors night after night, as his dad beams with pride while listening to the race broadcasts through the Internet. That is why this season is especially difficult for Brooke. George suffered a stroke in the spring, just as the World of Outlaws schedule was picking up steam. The news was tough for the Tatnells, but very difficult for Brooke as he was thousands of miles away struggling with whether or not he should return home. He continued to drive the Rush Racing machine on the Outlaws circuit because it's what his dad wanted.

But now Brooke will climb out of the car this weekend and return to his native Australia for a few weeks to help his dad through the battle of his life. George recently was diagnosed with pancreatic cancer and begins treatment Wednesday. Brooke intends to see him through the fight.

"It's time for me to be the man of the family," said Brooke, whose mom and sisters still live in Australia and helped George recover from his stroke. "We have to keep our chins up and keep fighting along. We'll get through these tough times, but it's the biggest battle he's going to fight.

"(Car owners) Tim Hanson and Bob Campbell have been unbelievably supportive and I can't thank them enough."

Brooke expects to be back in the car on the World of Outlaws circuit to compete Oct. 20 at Manzanita Speedway in Phoenix. In the meantime, Jason Johnson and Jeff Shepard will share the driving duties.

"It's the toughest thing Brooke's ever had to do," Hanson said. "Every kid looks up to Superman and Brooke's Superman is George. We felt it was most important for him to be with his family right now and we're here to support him however we can."

-credit: woo