Heard Tops The 50 Lap Shootout In Mildura
After starting from position four Murray Bridge resident Robert Heard drove to victory in the longest race of the season as he claimed the Mexicana de Shootout 50 Lapper last Saturday night at the Timmis Speedway at Mildura. After making an impressive start Heard made the race winning pass on lap three and he held on for the remaining 37 or so laps to defeat South Australian Champion Joel Chadwick and Victorian hard charger Sam Wren, after the race was cut short due to time constraints.
In addition to winning the 50 lapper Heard also collected the Ross Crick Memorial, an award that was presented to highest point scorer on the night. “We are humbled to receive the overall night winner as part of the 50 lapper. To win the final and then this award it just caps off a great night” added Heard on the podium.
Fourth place went the way of New South Welshman Nathan Dicker while regular Sprintcar racer Terry Kelly was extremely impressive as he finished fifth after being the last car to transfer via the B-Main. Roydn Bailey, Darryl Sloan, Aaron Doe, Travis Beasley and Lucy Evans completed the top 10 in the finale.
Heat winners on the night were Lucy Evans, Heard, Wren (Vic), Dan Evans, Travis Beasley (Vic) and Chadwick while Darryl Sloan, Jason Gantz, Aaron Doe and Terry Kelly transferred into the A-Main via the last chance qualifier.
Bronson Mauro unfortunately rolled his #41 machine during the second round of heats after jumping the cushion while leading the field and Daniel Obst rolled in the B-main after being unable to avoid a slowing Brett Ireland.
This Saturday night (May 14) the Wingless Sprints will make yet another appearance in the Riverland, this time at the Sunline Speedway at Waikerie with a good field of cars nominated. In all a total of 10 drivers will battle it out on the tight clay oval with the field including South Australian Champion Joel Chadwick, who will drive the Daniel Obst #22, Brett Ireland, regular Sprintcar racer Dan Evans, Michael Spoljaric, Lucy Evans, Keir Doe and “The Prez” Darryl Sloan.
An interesting nomination is that of Jason Gantz, who will perform double duty as he will also make his Super Sedan debut in the final round of the State Series.
A couple of drivers will also make the trek across the border from Mildura including Anthony McMillan and rookie Ben Pollock.
CURRENT NOMINATIONS: 10 – Sunline Speedway, Waikerie – Saturday 14th May 2016: S8 Darryl Sloan, S19 Michael Spoljaric, S20 Keir Doe, S22 Joel Chadwick (SA1), S29 Ben Pollock (ROF), S37 Anthony McMillan, S43 Jason Gantz, S44 Lucy Evans, S49 Daniel Evans, S71 Brett Ireland.
Following the Sunline Speedway event the Wingless Sprints SA Presentation Night will be held on Saturday May 28 at the Archer Hotel in North Adelaide.
