The final pre-season practice session of the year was held last Saturday night at the Murray Machining and Sheds Murray Bridge Speedway with a healthy line-up of competitors in the pit area. Several classes were well represented including the Junior Sedans, Formula 500’s, Wingless Sprints and Sprintcars, with the later seeing the likes of Brad Keller, Luke Dillon, Jake Tranter, Aidan Hall and Keke Falland all taking to the track.

On a day that produced warm and windy conditions the track proved to be a bit slick in the warm afternoon sun but the track conditions improved once the sun went down.

With the Opening Night being this Saturday (October 30), with Wingless Sprints, Speedcars, Formula 500’s, Modlites, AMCA Nationals, Street Stocks and Junior Sedans on the program, the drivers in these classes were keen to cut a few laps with a number of drivers impressing.

In the Wingless Sprints Matthew Kennedy, Joel Heinrich, William Caruso, Spen Taylor and rookie Jack McCarthy looked very smooth while Ross Miller, Joe Merorella and local rookie Brendan Zadow turned several fast laps. The Modlites saw last season standout Danny Prade make his first appearance of the season along with Ty Forrestal while Junior Sedan racers Aaron Tranter, Drew Flatman and TJ and Kirra Lee Pitcher looked ready to race next weekend.

Saturday night was also the last shakedown for the Sprintcars prior to the October 7 USC SA season opener with nine cars (8 410ci, 1 360ci) taking to the new Murray Bridge surface. The 410ci drivers were Brad Keller, Luke Dillon, Jake Tranter, Keke Falland, Steven Caruso, Aidan Hall and rookies Adrian Cottrell and Jason Gill. Local Jarman Dalitz was the sole 360ci Sprintcar but he hot lapped with the open cars.

Of the drivers on hand only Aidan Hall and Steven Caruso were in new cars with Hall behind the wheel of an immaculate new Eagle Chassis while Caruso debuted a new Cool race car. After running a 360ci engine last year in the open ranks it was good to see Keke Falland back piloting his Ford 410ci Cool Chassis, which was supporting a colourful new look.

Nominations are currently open for the opening night but they close Monday (September 25) with all nominations to be received by the Division Representatives except for Junior Sedans which must be sent to the track via email at office@murraybridgespeedway.