First Sprintcar Outing for 2006/07

 By Phil Michell

 The South Australian Sprintcar season kicked off last Saturday night at the Murray Bridge Speedway (October 7) with the first practice session of the new season. Unfortunately only four cars were in attendance but there was a pleasing aspect to evening as two first season competitors took to the 360 metre venue.

 16 year old Terry Pitt, local Murray Bridge youngster Mason Merritt, Darryl Wright and second season driver Justin Sloan were the four drivers who were in attendance with each driver taking to the track on four occasions.

 With both of the rookies (Pitt and Merritt) campaigning 360ci race cars they were separated from the open competitors for a majority of the night until the final 12 lap run when all four cars were pushed away together.

 Following the engine starts and traditional hot laps the opening official run of the night saw Terry Pitt, who was driving his Father’s (Owen) Moorland Tyres and Machinery #8 J&J, and Mason Merritt (Wright Motorsports #23 Eagle) record a six lap time of 1:30.3. The time of this event was basically irrelevant as both drivers were still coming to grips with driving their new machines.

 Local hero Darryl Wright (Murray Machining and Sheds #28 Eagle) and Justin Sloan, who was debuting a brand new Eagle, were out next with both drivers looking extremely comfortable on the track, especially Sloan. As the drivers crossed the line Darryl Wright stopped the clock at 1:17.6 for his 6 lap blast.

 The following session saw the drivers improve dramatically with Sloan (Gawler Custom Cabinet Makers #25) lowering the earlier time by over two seconds.

 The final run of the night (12 laps) saw all four cars on the track together with Wright recording a time of 2:32.2, which was an unofficial new track record. Despite the fact that Wright was the quickest car on the night it was obvious that the star of the night was young Terry Pitt, who by the end of the evening had improved considerably and will be a young man to keep an eye on in the future.

 The Sprintcars will be in action once again next Saturday night (October 14) at the Murray Bridge Speedway.