The Moore Engineering Murray Bridge Speedway enjoyed a huge night of action with four classes sharing top billing on Saturday February 13. Throughout the night the racing was extremely close and intense with the major feature events being shared between Angelo Karoussis (Formula 500’s), Ryan Jones (360 Sprintcars), Brendan Quinn (Lightning Sprints) and Mason Merritt (Wingless Sprints).

In the Toy Kingdom King of the Bridge Formula 500 Championship Whyalla speedster Angelo Karoussis was unstoppable winning both of his heat races before leading every lap in the 20 lap decider. Second across the line was pre event favourite Kym Gower with Victorian Jock Baker rounding out the top three. Unfortunately the A-main saw Ken Clements ride out a wild flip in turn two followed by a small fire ending his chances in the 20 lap final.

The 360ci Sprintcars produced the best feature event of the night as local hero Ryan Jones tuned up for his defence of his Australian Championship in fine style with a gutsy win over Darwin’s Racin’ Jason McIver. The duo along with Mount Barker’s Craig Vanderstelt had a race long battle with Jones getting the better of his rivals in lapped traffic.

After putting in a great drive Vanderstelt failed to finish after spinning out of second in the final turn of the 20 lap final. This elevated McIver to second with Michael Burford, Jamie and Shane Hendry rounding out the top five. The real hard luck story of the night was Scott Hoskin, who after a heat win and a second, was to start from the pole but he required a second push start after looping his car in engine starts therefore he started from the rear of the field.

The only stoppage of the race came on the opening lap after local Darryl Wright rolled his #28 Eagle in the opening turn.

The other main events of the night, The Des James Memorial for the Lightning Sprints, and the $1000 to win Wingless Sprints Feature, were also extremely entertaining with the Wingless feature also going flag to flag. Another local, this time Mason Merritt, showed his class as he secured yet another Murray Bridge A-Main event ahead of new State Champion Todd Wigzell and Cory Hodgson. Merritt’s win was only .6 of second outside the existing track record, highlighting the speed and talent this young man possesses.

The Lightning Sprints saw an impressive display by current State Champion Brendan Quinn who remained undefeated throughout the night. Second across the line was Adelaide Hills resident Sam Putland with Kate Wiese rounding out the podium finishers.

The final class in action were the V8 Super Sedans with Gil Worthley winning the feature ahead of Mannum residents Col Neville and Nev Hall.

Formula 500’s King Of The Bridge

Murray Valley Standard Heat 1: 1st W98 Leigh VanGinnekin 2nd 8 Michael Wise 3rd V29 Jock Baker
Hall Mechanical Heat 2: 1st 26 Angelo Karoussis 2nd 17 Damien Eve 3rd V29 Jock Baker
Raine & Horne Murray Bridge Heat 3: 1st 26 Angelo Karoussis 2nd 55 Stewart Townley 3rd 19 Kym Gower
Toy Kingdom Formula 500 King Of The Bridge A Main: 1st 26 Angelo Karoussis 2nd 19 Kym Gower 3rd V29 Jock Baker 4th W98 Leigh VanGinnekin 5th 17 Damien Eve

360ci Sprintcars:

Murray Bridge Glass Heat 1: 1st S28 Darryl Wright 2nd S6 Michael Burford 3rd NT66 Jason McIver
Leith Kahl Cabinet Makers Heat 2: 1st S49 Scott Hoskin 2nd S2 Craig Vandestelt 3rd S9 Mark Burford
Murray Machining & Sheds Heat 3: 1st S2 Craig Vanderstelt 2nd S49 Scott Hoskin 3rd S42 Jamie Hendry
Murdoch Insure Invest Heat 4: 1st A1 Ryan Jones 2nd NT66 Jason McIver 3rd S43 Shane Hendry
Power FM 360ci Sprintcar Challenge A Main: 1st A1 Ryan Jones 2nd NT66 Jason McIver 3rd 4th S42 Jamie Hendry

Wingless Sprints

MTA Heat 1: 1st 55 Mason Merritt 2nd 27Cory Hodgson3rd 88 Todd Wigzell
Bridge Motors Heat 2: 1st 55 Mason Merritt 2nd 27 Cory Hodgson 3rd 6 Brett Bartley
Rowe Aluminium & Security Heat 3: 1st 88 Todd Wigzell 2nd 17 Keke Falland 3rd 84 Scott Bogucki
LCM Concrete Products $1000 To Win A-Main: 1st 55 Mason Merritt 2nd 88 Todd Wigzell 3rd 27 Cory Hodgson 4th 22 Daniel Obst 5th 84 Scott Bogucki

Super Sedans

Auto Pro Murray Bridge Heat 1: 1st 11 Tony Howlett
R&B Excavations Heat 2: 1st 3 Gil Worthley 2nd 47 Steve Stewart 3rd 71 Colin Neville
Blenk’s Automotive Super Sedan Feature: 1st 3 Gil Worthley 2nd 71 Colin Neville 3rd 4 Nev Hall

Lightning Sprints

Ultra Clean Cars Heat 1: 1st 14 Brendan Quinn 2nd 18 Darryl Knuckey 3rd 3 Sam Chapman
Murray Bridge Hire Heat 2: 1st14 Brendan Quinn 2nd 9 Kate Wiese 3rd 18 Darryl Knuckey
Spry’s Earthmoving Heat 3: 1st 16 John McKenzie 2nd 9 Kate Wiese 3rd 88 Mark Johnson
Jack Daniels Des James Memorial Lightning Sprints Feature: 1st 14 Brendan Quinn 2nd 17 Sam Putland 3rd 9 Kate Wiese