Hartigan Pips Pestka At MMS
By Phil MIchell Motorsport Media
Defending and two times Australian Champion Daniel Hartigan emerged victorious in the opening Wingless Sprint feature event of the South Australian season at the Murray Machining and Sheds Speedway (Sunday October 2). After failing to finish his opening heat in the Brett Ireland owned #1 after encountering a gear selection issue, he stormed back to win his second heat before putting in a stunning drive in the final to get the better of Renee Pestka, who recorded a career best finish, and Dale Gessell in his immaculate #13 Eagle.
Just prior to the field rolling out of the pit gate a small rain shower hit the venue making the track conditions a little tricky, but as the race progressed the conditions became a lot more conducive to racing.
From the drop of the green Hartigan had to work extremely hard for his race victory having started on the fourth row and during the early stages it appeared that he would struggle to catch Pestka, who had opened up a handy race lead on the greasy race track. But a late race caution for a slowing Spencer Taylor bunched the field allowing Hartigan to pounce with a great outside pass for the lead in turn four.
Fourth across the line was Anthony Tapley with Joel Heinrich, who was a late nomination, completing the top five. David Cuppleditch and Darryl Sloan rounded out the finishers.
Initially 15 cars started the night but that was quickly reduced to 14 as local favourite Robert Heard was involved in a hot lap crash with Aaron Doe.
That wasn’t the last incident that Doe would be involved in as he rolled heavily during heat 3 after contact with William Caruso. Caruso also flipped in what was one of the biggest Wingless crashes ever seen at the venue. Thankfully both drivers emerged from their race cars without assistance.
Earlier the heat winners were Mount Gambier’s Trent Gravestock, Tapley and Hartigan. The opening heat of the night was by far the best race of the night as Gravestock got the better of Sloan to take the win within sight of the flag.
The Wingless Sprints will be back at Murray Bridge this Saturday night with the field increasing dramatically with 23 cars entered including Australian Champion Daniel Hartigan, South Australian Champion Joel Chadwick and Victorian standouts Daniel and Luke Storer, Luke Weel, Jay Brown and Steven Hateley.
Nominations: Murray Bridge Speedway, Saturday 8th October 2016:
A1 Daniel Hartigan, S2 Jake Ashworth, S5 Joel Chadwick, S6 Micheal Ross, S8 Darryl Sloan, S10 William Caruso, S11 Jack Disbury (ROF), S13 Dale Gesell, S16 Joel Heinrich, S21 Matthew Kennedy, S24 Aaron Doe, S28 Renee Pestka, V28 Luke Weel, V33 Luke Storer, S41 Bronson Mauro, V43 Daniel Storer, S46 Spencer Taylor, S47 Anthony Tapley, S51 Jay Brown, S57 Robert Heard, V60 Steven Hateley, S80 David Cuppleditch, S85 Trent Gravestock – Total 23.