Tapley Steals Mildura 50 Lapper
By Phil Michell Motorsport Media
Murray Bridge racer Anthony Tapley was successful in the last major Wingless Sprint SA event last Saturday night (May 12) as he claimed a dramatic win in the 50 Lap Feature at Mildura’s Timmis Speedway. After finishing the heats as the top qualifier Tapley trailed Dan Evans for a majority of the feature race but he pounced on the race leader in turn three during the green, white, chequered flag finish to steal the win away in one of the best finishes to an A-Main all season.
“Oh gee, that was a fantastic race with Dan (Evans) and Tony (Moule) changing positions a number times and passing so many (lapped) cars throughout the 50 laps was a real buzz. I feel for Dan, but he was gracious in defeat” added the race winner following the event.
“I was proud of Andrew (May) who pulled through with an engine that lasted 50 laps. It is just a great way to finish what has been a pretty good season”.
Regular Sprintcar racer Dan Evans, who was driving his sister’s #44, held on to the runner-up spot with Victorian standout Sam Wren, Murray Bridge’s Robert Heard and Victorian Champion Travis Millar completing the top 5.
Rookie Brent Fox continued his impressive start to his open wheeled career as he recorded a sixth placed result with the top 10 being rounded out by Zac Pacchiarotta (NSW), local Mildura driver Brad Beasley, Luke Schneider (Vic) and Travis Beasley (Vic).
In all a total of 26 drivers fronted for action with drivers from three states set to take on one of the most gruelling races on the Australian Wingless Sprint calendar. The night kicked off with time trials with Tapley setting the pace lapping the Timmis Speedway in 15.646 edging out Dan Evans (15.837) Peter Granger (NSW) (15.873) Millar (16.020) and Luke Schneider (Vic) (16.066).
Six heat races were conducted throughout the night with Sam Wren, Dan Evans, Anthony Tapley, Tony Moule, Jay Brown and Melissa McMillan collecting a heat win while
Michael Lovell, William Caruso, Travis Beasley and Robert Whiteside transferred into the A-Main via the last chance qualifier.
The final event on the 2017/18 South Australian Wingless Sprint schedule will be held this Saturday night (May 19) at the Sunline Speedway at Waikerie. After such a gruelling 2017/18 calendar only a handful of competitors are set to contest the late season meeting with Adelaide based racers William Caruso and Benjamin Harris set to be joined by Riverland locals Anthony McMillian, Melissa McMillian and Shane Hammerstein.