Bendigo racer Rusty Hickman will one of five drivers who will compete in both Australian Sprintcar Championships this season as he competes in the Australian Prosprints Championship this weekend at the Murray Machining and Sheds Murray Bridge Speedway. The South Australian venue has a mixed history for the Hickman Family but this weekend Rusty hopes to turn that around as he attempts to become the fifth Victorian driver to claim the Australia #1.

“I’m keen to race the Prosprints Title this weekend. We have been going pretty in the 360ci but we just need some luck. I really must thank Dave Challons for the use of his engine. We struggled a fair bit at the 410 Title in Perth, so I’m really looking forward to making up for that at Murray Bridge” added Rusty in the lead up to the Prosprints Title.

“I don’t think I have been to Murray Bridge since my accident so I haven’t been there for a while. It’s a cool track, its always elbows up, from memory its was a fun track to drive. I hope the groove gets up on the fence so it gives us a good chance to race and put on a show. I’m ready to give it a crack and hopefully go one spot better than Dad” he added.

The reference to his Dad’s results dates back to 2010 when Darren Hickman was the runner-up in the Australian 360ci Title at Murray Bridge to Alan Barlee and prior to that he was third in 2008. The Hickman Motorsport #V40 has also been on the podium a third time with driver Dion Bellman at Mount Gambier in the 2016 preliminary A-Main.

“It’s all about putting down a good lap in qualifying, getting through the heats clean, and starting the A-Main towards the front. As a team we are not expecting too much but we would like to make up for a disappointing run in Perth. We will be there on Thursday night getting in a few practice laps so hopefully we can get a handle on the track and be ready for Friday and Saturday”.

Rusty Hickman will be chasing the Australian Prosprints Championship at the Murray Machining and Sheds Murray Bridge Speedway between March 23 – 25, 2023.

Photos supplied by Phil Michell.