Victorian David Murcott survived a torrid 30 lap A-main at the Moore Engineering Murray Bridge Speedway to win the second annual “Cool Chassis” Bill Wigzell Battle of the Bridge.
After starting on the outside of the front row he dominated the event and led the entire journey to defeat Luke Dillon and Steven Lines.
Murcott was thrilled with his win after a disappointing race last year.
“I owed the guys this win after last year,” said Murcott.
“The Downing Boys are a great bunch of guys to drive for.
“They put no pressure on me to perform which makes it easy for me to do my job.
“We have had some great success over the years and we have started off this year in great fashion.”
The race began in dramatic fashion with former Australian sprintcar champion Phil March rolling on turn three of the opening lap.
On the restart Murcott led away from pole-sitter Ryan Jones, but shortly after the start Jones fell back to fifth as Dillon, Lines and Jamie Cobby capitalised on his mistake.
The positions remained the same until a caution on lap 17 for debris after the demise of two of the leading contenders.
Cobby relinquished fourth with a flat right rear tyre and Matt Egel came to a grinding halt as the driveline failed in his car.
Once the race restarted the green was only on for another lap as Victorian Brett Milburn rode out a wild ride in turn three.
From this point it was all plain sailing for Murcott, but the battle for third was a highlight of the night as Lines and Jones traded places at either end of the race track.
As the chequered flag fell Lines took the honours for third, but Jones would have to be thrilled with his official 410ci sprintcar debut.
Terry Pitt put in the drive of his career to finish fifth ahead of Craig Vanderstelt, Mike van Bremen, Ricky Maiolo, Mark Reuter and Daniel Pestka.
Earlier in the night six heat races were conducted, with Murcott taking the opener.
Heat two went the way of Mount Barker resident Craig Vanderstelt defeating Cobby in a great race.
Matt Egel claimed the final heat of the opening round defeating Melbourne’s Brett Milburn and Luke Dillon, who was driving the cool chassis that he had won for being the Murray Bridge track champion the previous year.
In heat four Ryan Jones took a convincing win ahead Reuter and an unlucky Matthew Reed.
In heat five the ultra fast racing surface claimed several victims as Darryl Wright and Glen Sutherland both rolled. Murcott went on to score the win while the final heat went to Lines.
The top six dash was sensationally taken out by Jones in a new six-lap track record while Steven Caruso won the B-main in a new eight-track record.
Phil March, Josh Ruhs and Brad Keller joined Caruso as the transferees in to the 30-lap Battle of the Bridge finale.
Also on the program were the lightning sprints, street stocks and junior sedans with Darryl Knuckey easily taking out the feature event while Jamie Glazbrook and Joel Chadwick were the standouts in the juniors.
In the street stock invitational James Rainsford took two heat victories.
The next event will be on Saturday, November 14, with round two of the speedcar super series, the Murray Bridge Wingless sprints championship, the formula 500s and the first appearance of the modified sedans for the season.
Results - Bill Wigzell Battle of the Bridge Sprintcars: LMC Concrete Products, Heat 1: 1st s97 David Murcott 2nd s95 Mark Reuter 3rd s63 Ryan Jones; North Terrace Tyres, Heat 2: 1st s21 Craig Vanderstelt 2nd s12 Jamie Cobby 3rd s24 Ricky Maiolo; R&B Excavations, Heat 3: 1st s29 Matt Egel 2nd v68 Brett Milburn 3rd s81 Luke Dillon; Murray Machining & Sheds, Heat 4: 1st s63 Ryan Jones 2nd s95 Mark Reuter 3rd v88 Matthew Reed; Hoosier Racing Tyres, Heat 5: 1st s97 David Murcott 2nd s81 Luke Dillon 3rd v68 Brett Milburn; Murray Bridge Hire, Heat 6: 1st s45 Steven Lines 2nd s12 Jamie Cobby 3rd v6 Mike Van Bremen; Moore Plant Hire Dash: 1st s63 Ryan Jones 2nd s97 David Murcott 3rd s12 Jamie Cobby 4th s95 Mark Reuter 5th s45 Steven Lines 6th s81 Luke Dillon. (Record) 1:08.9 (6 laps); Moore Engineering B-main: 1st s10 Steven Caruso 2nd s3 Phil March 3rd s99 Josh Ruhs 4th s19 Brad Keller (Record) 1:35.8 (8 laps).
Junior sedans: MTA, Heat 1: 1st : 1st 5 Joel Chadwick 2nd 43 Jacob Cazzolato 3rd 74 Skyla Trout; Rowe Aluminium, Heat 2: 1st 5 Joel Chadwick 2nd 43 Jacob Cazzolato 3rd 74 Skyla Trout; Power FM, Heat 3: 1st 6 Jamie Glazbrook 2nd 27 Michael Karoussis 3rd 71 Daniel Randall; Blenks Automotive & Performance, Heat 4: : 1st 5 Joel Chadwick 2nd 74 Skyla Trout 3rd V2 Cory Sandow; Murray Bridge Glass, Heat 5: 1st 5 Joel Chadwick 2nd 27 Michael Karoussis 3rd 71 Daniel Randall; Bridge Motors, Heat 6: 1st 43 Jacob Cazzolato 2nd 4 Nathan Worthley 3rd 34 Cameron Monaghan.
Street stocks: Spry Earthmovers, Heat 1: 1st 99 Kym Roffey 2nd 5 Sam Brumfield 3rd 91 Darren Brumfield; Murray Valley Standard, Heat 2: 1st 55 James Rainford 2nd 91 Darren Brumfield 3rd 61 Shane Roffey; Bridge Agencies Bazaar, Heat 3: 1st 55 James Rainsford 2nd 101 Ben Helgeson 3rd 99 Kym Roffey.
Lightning sprints: Leith Kahl Cabinet Makers, Heat 1: 1st 1 Nick Hall 2nd 18 Darryl Knuckey 3rd 78 Graham Knuckey; Jack Daniels, Heat 2: 1st 78 Graham Knucky 2nd 9 Kate Wiese 3rd 1 Ben Hall; Jack Daniels Feature: 1st 18 Darryl Knuckey 2nd 78 Graham Knuckey 3rd 9 Kate Wiese.
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