By Phil Michell Motorsport Media
Current Australian Formula 500 Champion Terry Rankin continued his outstanding South Australian winning form as he added the Murray Bridge Speedway’s “King of the Bridge” title to compliment his national crown he won at Mount Gambier back in March. After being edged out by defending race winner Corey Jones in the Top 8 Shootout by .005 second, in what was the race of the night, Rankin got the better of Jones on the start of the National Karate supported 30-lap final and he was never headed, winning the final ahead of fellow Victorian Sonny Bell and Jones.
Fourth across the line was Harrison Pfitzner, in what was a career best run, while former South Australian Champion Jack Bell completed the top 5. Young Victorian Kai Malley was impressive throughout the night as he recorded a sixth placed result on the back of a heat win, while Brock Rae, Dylan Anton, Richard Schmidt, Brad Turnball, Simon Reichelt, Ashleigh Johnstone, and Darren Richter rounded out the finishers.
The finale saw a couple of major incidents, both on the exit of turn two, as Charlie Shephard bought on the red lights on lap 16, before Dean Cottrell contacted the wall bringing out the caution.
The format for the night included four heats and the Top 8 Shootout prior to the final with the night beginning with a heat win to Brock Rae ahead of a rim riding Dean Cottrell and Richard Schmidt. Heat 2 saw Jones show the rest of the field he out to defend to crown with a crushing win of almost 3 seconds over James McDonald and Rankin while Malley was victorious in heat 3. The final heat Rankin was victorious over Jones and Jack Bell in what was a stacked field.
Therefore, going into the Shootout Jones topped the scoresheet over Rankin and that’s how they finished but it was far from a boring affair as the lead swapped on multiple occasions with sliders on both ends of the racetrack. McDonald would finish third ahead of Sonny Bell, Brock Rae, Jack Bell, Dean Cottrell, and Kai Malley.
A small field of Junior Formula 500’s was also on hand to contest the “Prince of the Bridge” with Cruz Carlin taking out the 20-lap finale ahead of Kade Foster. After trailing towards the tail of the field early Max Cook, who was the only South Australian entry, fought his was to third, while Toby Cook and Curtis Morrison completed the finishers. Heat wins went to Kade Foster and Cruz Carlin.
PHOTO: KNJ Photography
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