The stage is set with only two days to go before the Murray Machining & Sheds SCCA Australian 360 Sprintcar Championship kicks off at Moore Engineering Murray Bridge Speedway.

The Championship to be run on Saturday and Sunday nights, will be preceded by practice tomorrow night – Friday 26 February from 5.30pm to 7.30, followed by a Calcutta in the Ross Wright Function Centre at the Speedway.

Defending and two time Champion and local Murray Bridge resident Ryan Jones heads the nomination list, which also includes current Vic Champ and two time Allstar feature winner Phil Lock, current SA Champ Jason McIver, and current Allstars points leader Colin Brooks.

Brooks is a late nomination, accepting an offer by Tony Moule to drive the V53 entry. This follows a week of controversy as four drivers were eliminated following a close look at eligibility rules.

Under the rules, each driver must drive in 360 competition at least three times in the last 12 months. Unfortunately for Moule, Steven Bell and Tasmanian Jamie O’Neil, a technical point dashed their dreams. All three have had limited seat time this season, but did race at the end of last season. However because they ran ASCS engines that were at that time not accepted through the SCCA rule book, they have not qualified under the SCCA rules.

A fourth driver, Shane Heathcote was eliminated as he qualified after the nomination deadline, which was not permitted.

“It is unfortunate that this has happened”, said Murray Bridge Manager Tim McAvaney, “however the rules are the rules and we still have a quality 32 car field.”

“The upside is that we now have Colin Brooks in the field, the current Allstars points leader, and have the Act 26 car of Chris Argus who has nominated today too"

Murray Bridge competitor Darryl Wright in the SA28 Rivercity Sheds entry is another capable of a win. Wright ran second in 2006 and has placed his car on the front row for the past two championships. Karl Enderl from Mt Gambier is in hot form, winning two Allstar races this season, while Craig Vanderstelt is a three time SA champ and was the fastest car at the venue a fortnight ago.

Darwin resident Alan Barlee, who has based his racing in South Australia for the current summer season, is also expected to figure well, having led the inaugural title in 2004 until being passed by Steven Bell on the last corner. Barlee also finished third last season.

Current Australia number two Ricky Barrand from Victoria is keen to go one better, while no one can discount a host of other feature winners including Shannon Barry, Darren Hickman, Mark Caruso, and the Hendry cousins.

Modified Production Sedans will race for their Murray Bridge Championship on Saturday night, and will be joined by AMCA’s and Junior Sedans. The preliminary 360 Sprintcar Feature on Saturday night will be the Ross Wright Memorial.

Sunday night’s program will also include Modified Sedans and Street Stocks.

The program will kick off at 6.00pm on both Saturday and Sunday, with engine starts and hot laps from 5.30pm.


Saturday 27 February – Night 1 - Ross Wright Memorial, Australian 360 Sprintcar Championship

ADMISSIONS:

Adults $20
Concession $15
Children 12 to 15 $10
Children under 12 Free
Family (2 x Adults, 2 x 12-15 yrs) $50
Pit Entry (without NASR Licence) $40
Pit Entry (With NASR Licence) $30

Sunday 28 February – Night 2 – Australian 360 Sprintcar Championship Final

ADMISSIONS:

Adults $22
Concession $18
Children 12 to 15 $12
Children under 12 Free
Family (2 x Adults, 2 x 12-15 yrs) $50
Pit Entry (without NASR Licence) $40
Pit Entry (With NASR Licence) $30



Nominations:

Sprintcars:
Aus 1 Ryan Jones
SA 2 Craig Vanderstelt
Vic 4 Phil Lock
SA 5 Tregan Gates
SA 6 Michael Burford
SA 9 Mark Burford
Vic 10 James McDonald
SA 11 Karl Enderl
Vic 15 Bill Fraser
SA 16 Tim Bartlett
SA 22 Chad Ely
Vic 25 David Cook
Act 26 Chris Argus
SA 28 Darryl Wright
Vic 28 Kate Searle
SA 33 Mark Caruso
Vic 40 Darren Hickman
SA 42 Jamie Hendry
SA 43 Shane Hendry
SA 47 Craig Bensch
SA 49 Scotty Hoskin
Vic 53 Colin Brooks
NT 55 Nick Halkitis
SA 59 Adam Currie
NT 61 Alan Barlee
Vic 61 Ricky Barrand
NT 66 Jason McIver
SA 66 Clint Oliver
SA 77 Chris Evans
SA 83 Shannon Barry
SA 96 Darryl Guerin
SA 99 Josh Ruhs

Junior Sedans
SA 2 Russell Worthley
SA 4 Nathan Worthley
SA 11 Danielle Stuman
SA 19 Kaleb Perrett
SA 22 Josh McEwin
SA 24 Dylan Long
SA 25 Harley Moore
SA 29 Wade Whitehead
SA 34 Cameron Mongaham
SA 43 Jake Cazzolato
SA 44 Ashley Watts
SA 64 Tyson Kowalski

AMCA
SA 2 Michael Qualman
SA 4 Cory Fox
SA 8 Michael Miller
SA 9 Mick Brougham
SA 14 Stephen Chapman
SA 15 David Hartman
SA 19 Steve Letts
SA 21 Michael Sharpe
SA 25 Michael Hartman
SA 27 Tyson Chambers
SA 46 Wayne Vickers
SA 47 Nick Dodding
SA 63 Luke Dodding
SA 99 Steven Schwarz

Modified Sedans
Vic 2 Jeremy McClure
SA 3 Ben Tuttle
SA 8 Marty Raams
SA 12 Barry Perrett
SA 17 Tony Schmit
SA 23 Jack McCarthy
SA 28 Trevor Raams

Street Stocks:
SA 0 Moss Buchanan
SA 3 Ben Tuttle
SA 4 Keir Doe
SA 5 Sam Brumfield
SA 6 Nigel Reichstein
SA 7 Craig Buchanan
SA 12 Darren Flatman
SA 14 Allan McFee
SA 21 Nathan Pulford
SA 22 David McEwin
SA 51 Mick Lillyman
SA 55 James Rainsford
SA 56 James Rundle
SA 57 Anthony East
SA 67 Kandice Marsh
SA 83 Steve Menadue
SA 87 Norman Rhodes
SA 91 Darren Brumfield
SA 98 Scott Perrett
SA 101 Ben Helgson