MICHAEL Figliomeni was an absolute icon in Speedway, both here in WA, interstate and overseas, being a champion in Speedcar and Sprintcar racing.

Sadly his life was taken too soon after he fell ill at the Perth Motorplex eight years ago after winning two Speedcar races, passing away later that night.

His record was very impressive, including winning four Australian Speedcar Championships, seven WA Speedcar Championships, five New Year Speedcar Derby wins, 36 Speedcar feature races at Claremont Speedway, being the only Australian driver to win the 50-lap Speedcar Derby in New Zealand and winner of Speedcar feature races in the USA.

He also won the 2003-04 AHG Sprintcar Series championship and the Krikke Boys Shootout in Bunbury twice.

We could go on and on about his record, given it is so long.

This Saturday night the Perth Motorplex pays tribute to ‘Figs’ when we run the Magic Man 34 where the Speedcar and Sprintcar feature races at the end of the night will both be held over 34 laps.

Last year’s Sprintcar feature race winner was David Priolo, who is gunning for back-to-back wins, saying the race means a lot to him.

“He was so respected by his fellow competitors,” Priolo said.

“The Magic Man 34…it’s a tribute to one of the legends and such a special character…he holds a special place in the sport.”

“To me to do good on that night means something special.”

Priolo said it was one race he put a lot of effort into winning, saying “I really love to have a good result, it means so much to me”.

Nominations: 7 Jeff Leisk, 8 David Priolo, 12 Daniel Harding, 18 Scott Reilly, 19 Trent Pigdon, 20 Ryan Lancaster, 21 Mark Wells, 26 Ryan Farrell, 32 Jake Beard-Miller, 41 Cameron Gessner, 45 Daryl Clayden, 46 Lee Nash, 57 Shaun Bradford, 66 Robert Watson junior, 73 Callum Williamson, 77 Bradley Maiolo, 81 Jason Boland, 87 Carl Dowling, 89 Kye Scroop, 90 Daniel Keen, 91 Troy Lawson, 92 Jason Kendrick, 93 Shane Norris, 99 Jamie Maiolo and 114 Sean Zemunik.

Points: Ryan Farrell 150, Jamie Maiolo 146, Cameron Gessner 144, Mark Wells 142, Carl Dowling 140, Bradley Maiolo 138, Jake Beard-Miller 136, Scott Reilly 134, Ryan Lancaster 132, Lee Nash 130, Shaun Bradford 128, Jeff Leisk 126, Daniel Harding 124, Jason Kendrick 122, Kye Scroop 120, Jason Boland 118, David Priolo 116, Daryl Clayden 114, Shane Norris 112, Daniel Keen 110, Callum Williamson 108, Troy Lawson 106, Kris Coyle, Robert Watson junior, Steven Ford 50 each.