Record Season Opener For Wingless In SA

Record Season Opener For Wingless In SA

 

By Phil Michell Motorsport Media

 

At a time when several categories are struggling for competitor numbers the Wingless Sprint division in South Australia continues to go from strength to strength as the opening event of the season at the Murray Bridge Speedway has attracted a record field of 46 entries. The current list includes some of the best drivers from across Australia therefore just making the A-Main this Saturday night, let alone winning it, will be a tough task.

 

The local entry list reads like a who is who of South Australian Wingless Sprint racing with dual State Champion Tyson Martin, Jack McCarthy, Kirby Hillyer, Ryan Alexander, Rylan Furler, Bronson Mauro, William Caruso, Brett Ireland, Harley Alexander and Jenna Kervers all set to take on several high-profile interstaters.

 

Cobden’s Blake Walsh, who has spent our winter months racing in Darwin, will be one driver to watch and his form at Murray Bridge in recent seasons has been very good. Warrnambool based racer Ricky Bailey, Cameron O’Brien, Mark Hutchins and Luke Johnson complete the Victorian entries while former local, now Darwin based, Sharni Pitcher will return to compete at her former home track.

 

Dubbo veteran Mark Blyton, who is always fast at Murray Bridge, will make the trip to South Australia along with fellow New South Welshman Andrew Seery.

 

The opening night of the season will also see a number of fresh faces in the pit area with up to eight drivers set to make their first appearance in a Wingless Sprint, and in some cases, they will be making their Speedway debut. After starting late last season Tickford Racing’s Super 2 driver Bradley Vaughan and Dirt Kart racer Kaitlin Vickers will embark on their first full season while Leanne Turner will pilot her #97 Maxim for the first time. Leanne is no stranger to going around in circles as her racing career has included driving Street Stocks, AMCA Nationals and even a stint on the Thunderdome during the 1990’s. Rally driver Steve Winwood, Bradley Battle, Cameron Thorne, Casey Atkinson and Scott Vivian complete the rookies in Saturday’s entry list, therefore they will all start at the rear of the heats.

 

After sitting on the sidelines for several years local Murray Bridge resident Mason Merritt will return to action behind the wheel of the Pitcher Racing #55, which is the number Merritt utilised in his early Wingless days prior to his brief foray into 360ci Sprintcars. Despite his lay off Merritt looked quite comfortable at the recent practice and it will not be long before he is back on the pace.

 

With such a large opening night field, the format will include two rounds of racing and dual B-Mains prior to the 20 driver A-Main.

 

Event Details – Saturday 30th September 2023 – Opening Night, Murray Bridge Speedway: Nominations (46 Cars) –

 

S1 Tyson Martin, V4 Blake Walsh, N5 Mark Blyton, S6 Tyson Newton, S8 Darryl Sloan, NX9 Andrew Seery, S10 William Caruso, V14 Ricky Bailey, S15 Kaitlin Vickers, VX17 Cameron O’Brien, S18 Jenna Kervers, S19 Michael Spoljaric, S20 Harley Alexander, S22 Jamie Crafter, S23 Jack McCarthy, S25 Bradley Battle (ROF), S26 Rylan Furler, S30 Cameron Thorne (ROF) VX31 Mark Hutchins, S36 Ryan Alexander, S38 James Rodda, S41 Bronson Mauro, S47 Anthony Tapley, S49 Darryl Knuckey, S52 Brett Ireland, S53 Nicole Southby, S54 Alan Saint, NT55 Sharni Pitcher, S55 Mason Merritt, S56 Tate Cowie, S57 Kirra-Lee Pitcher, S58 Nate Trewin, S65 Steven Winwood (ROF), S66 Sam Martin, S76 Casey Atkinson (ROF), V76 Luke Johnson, S80 Bradley Vaughan (ROF), S82 Caleb Evans, S83 Craig Bampton (ROF), S84 Jesse Alexander, S85 Scott Vivian (ROF), S86 Kirby Hillyer, S92 Thomas Walkom, S95 Andy Thomas, S97 Leanne Turner (ROF), S99 Michael Busby.