SEASON BEGINS THIS WEEKEND

By Phil Michell

The 2006/07 Murray Bridge Speedway season will roar into life this Saturday night (October 14) with an all sections event that will include a diverse racing program which will include the ever popular Great Aussie Caravan Derby, that will be proudly presented by the Murray Bridge Caravan and Outdoor Centre.

Following last weekend’s official practice the early indications suggest that we will have a great season in South Australia and the opening night at Murray Bridge should be no exception as the current entry list boasts some of Australia’s top competitors.

Heading the entry list is a massive field of Street stocks and Junior Sedans with 28 entries in both categories. In the Street Stocks it will be worth keeping on eye on the likes of Darren Brumfield, Dave McEwin, Nigel Reichstein, who had a brand new AU Falcon and Rick Emery, who is returning after a couple of seasons on the sidelines.

Although they will not actually be racing the Sprintcars will be in attendance conducting a series of hot laps in preparation for the upcoming events. At this stage six drivers have indicated that will be at the track including Darryl Sloan, Owen Pitt, local residents Darryl Wright and Ryan Jones and Dennis and Michael Burford. At this stage there is still the possibility that several more drivers will be present as a number of teams are still putting the finishing touches to their machines.

The on track excitement won’t stop there as it will also include a further three open wheeled categories including the domestically based V6 Sprints, the flying Formula 500’s and the ground shaking V8 Dirt Modifieds.

The V6 Sprint event has attracted only a small number of entries but it still includes the likes of Bradley Keller and Nathan Squiers while Michael Wise, Luke Bowey, Tom Bowey and Terry Marks headline the eleven car Formula 500 field. Unfortunalely for the V8 Dirt Modified fans local Murray Bridge residents Glenn Goonan and Les Baker, along with Gawler’s Cory Read, will be the only three drivers to take to the track..

In the Sidecar division a field of ten combinations can be expected with local hero Mick Headland and his passenger Paul Waters expected to be one of the front runners.

The season opener will also see a further two sedan classes take to the Murray Bridge clay with the Super, and Modified Sedans also competing. The top sedan division, the Super Sedans, will have nine cars racing in an attempt to capture the first feature victory of the year and with drivers such as former Australian Champion Chris Blunden, Colin Neville, Daniel Miller and Kym Cottrell all entered the tin tops are sure to put on a great display.

Another class that is guaranteed to produce some close results is the Modified Sedan division and with six high quality entries some tight racing is assured. Andy Hille looked extremely comfortable behind the wheel of the ex Shane Best Commodore last weekend and he will be hoping for a strong run along with Terry Brown in his new BA Falcon.

The final class that will compete on the program will be the V8 AMCA Nationals and over the past few years this particular class produced some excellent entertainment right across the state. In all a total of thirteen competitors have nominated for this early season hit out but you can expect the numbers to grow throughout the year.

The general admission gates will open for the first time this season at 5:30pm with the Grand Parade of Vehicles beginning at 6:45pm sharp. Once the official opening ceremony has been completed the first heat of the night will take place at 7pm. Admission into the venue has been set at $15 for Adults, $13 for Concession card holders with Children being admitted for $3. A one night Family pass is also available for $35.