Portland’s Brock Hallett opened the South Australian Sprintcar season in style as he led from start to finish to claim the Annual “Bill Wigzell Battle of the Bridge” at the Murray Machining and Sheds Murray Bridge Speedway. After setting the quickest time in qualifying Hallett just fell short of a clean sweep after finishing second in his heat and with the dash being cancelled, due to a brief rain shower, he started the 25-lap finale from the front row.
Due to the track surface Hallett elected to start on the outside of the front row elevating Luke Dillon onto the pole and it proved to be right decision as Hallett led the field into turn 1 on the opening lap, a position he would never relinquish. Dillon would run second to Hallett for the opening 10 laps with Matt Egel and Marcus Dumesny in tow.
With the track being extremely fast and difficult to pass on the track conditions would put an end to Luke Dillon’s run as the leaders caught the tail of the field but were simply unable to lap Jason Wilson. The leading quartet got boxed in behind the slower car and as they attempted to move off the racing line contact between Wilson, Hallet and Dillon sent the #81 hard into the turn three wall and upside down.
With 15 laps remaining Hallett would lead away from Dumesny, Egel, Kaiden Manders and Tate Frost and from this point Frost was the big mover as he would eventually charge his was to the runner-up spot with Matt Egel claiming the final spot on the podium. Dumesny, who was driving the Rowett Motorsports #47, would end up fourth after running second with a lap and a half remaining with Manders an impressive fifth on his Murray Bridge Sprintcar debut.
Jock Goodyer was sixth after getting the better of Jamie Veal with Lachlan McDonough, Ryan Newton and Ben Morris completing the top 10. Glen Sutherland, Brendan Quinn, Daniel Pestka, Daniel Harding, Parker Scott, Steven Caruso and Jason Wilson rounded out the finishers.
The format saw the top 6 from heat directly transfer into the A-Main with heat winners including Manders, Egel and Frost. Daniel Harding and Jordyn Charge, who was driving for the Downing Brothers, made the final via the B-main. Tim Hutchins and Steve Loader unfortunately crashed out the B-Main.
In the Formula 500s King of the Bridge, Max Owen took the royal honours, crossing the line ahead of Dale Sinclair and Corey Jones. Roc Hughes took out the Prince of the Bridge for the Junior Formula 500s, with Cody Malley in 2nd and Toby Cook in 3rd.
Release and photo by Phil Michell Motorsport Media.
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