Following a successful Sunday afternoon event last weekend the 2015/16 Murray Machining and Sheds Murray Bridge Speedway season officially gets underway this Sunday Night (October 4) with a huge program consisting of seven racing sections along with hot laps for both 360 and 410ci Sprintcars. Headlining the opening night will be round 1 of the state-wide JD Couriers Super Series for Super Sedans presented by Blenk’s Automotive with the likes of State Champion Dave Gartner, Ryan Alexander, Michael Miller and Paul Blenkiron set to fight it out for maximum points.
Michael Miller debuted the brand new SA 47 Dominator Chassis owned by Steve and Wendy Stewart on Sunday and despite an unfamiliar car and a confidence level in the car only starting to build, was almost as fast as lighting quick step son Ryan Alexander. With the addition of Mt Gambier’s Dave Gartner, the competition standard will certainly be every high.
In addition to the Super Sedans the program will also include events for Wingless Sprints, Street Stocks, AMCA Nationals, Junior Sedans, Formula 500’s and V6 Sprints.
Early indications suggest the Wingless Sprints will be out in force with last Sunday’s winner Brett Ireland leading a field that will also include Robert Heard, Jason Bolitho, William Caruso, Renee Pestka and Anthony Tapley.
If last weekend’s meeting is anything to go by the Formula 500’s will be a crowd pleaser as Lisa Walker and Lochie Cates will be hoping to continue their strong early season form along with Bradley Stell, Simon Reichelt and Rory Stevenson.
The Street Stocks were a highlight a week ago and with the addition of Darren Flatman to the field Craig Buchanan, Tony Prideaux, Matt Maynard and Brendan Bartlett will have their work cut out for them to take out the season opener.
The Junior Sedans have again nominated in strong numbers with no less than seven rookies in the field including local Murray Bridge kids Kirra Lee Pitcher, Ryan Buchanan, Jemma Chapman, Alice Gregory and twins Tyson and Mitchell Greig.
Steve Letts, Michael Sharpe and Wayne Vickers lead a strong field of AMCA Nationals, while Mark Brown leads the V6 Sprints nominations.
The Sprintcars will also be on hand to conduct a series of Hot Lap sessions as they prepare for the opening Sprintcar show of the South Australian season, the prestigious Bill Wigzell Battle of the Bridge on October 17. Brad Keller returns for the first time since injuring his back last January while Brendan Quinn, Jamie Cobby and the Caruso brothers will also be keen to be on the pace from the first lap.
Public gates into the venue will open at 3.30pm with the sprintcars getting on track for wheel packing at 4.30pm. The opening race will be at 5.00pm following the grand parade with admission being set at $20 for Adults $15 for concession, with ages 12 to 15 years being admitted for $10. 11 years and under are Free.
By Phil Michell
Photo Linda Savage