The 2012 South Australian Formula 500 Title has attracted a quality field this Saturday at Murray Machining & Sheds Murray Bridge Speedway.

Twenty four nominations have been received, including two Queensland cars, eleven local cars and eleven Victorian entries, led by current Australian Champion Liam Williams in the Jettco Developments, Hyper Racing Aus#1.

Williams arrives in town as the one to beat, fresh from two feature wins in the highly competitive Oval Express Series in Victoria, finishing the eight rounds held over the holiday period in third place overall behind American Jake Hagopian and West Aussie Matt Brown.

Defending SA Title holder Chad Sullivan finished fourth in the Oval Express series in the Dutchman Performance Ken Willsher owned Victoria #5 and will be keen to reclaim his state champion status, while 2009 Australian Champion Brock Hallett in the East Coast Fire & Safety Qld#13 returns from his recent indifferent Victorian campaign eager to return to his previous winning form, after taking out the King of the Bridge event last month.

Current Australia #2 Jye O’Keeffe returns to the venue in his Victoria #55 entry after a solid sixth placing in the Oval Express Series, while other Victorian hot shots fairing well in the series, Dale Sinclair (10th), Jessica Moulden (12th), Leigh Van Ginneken (13th), Ash Sinclair (14th) and Grant Stansfield (17th) will all be in attendance.

The event has attracted many of the standout Victorians thanks to the $1,000 first prize on offer, plus the opportunity to race to the World Series Sprintcars format for the Title.

Each car will record a qualifying time at the beginning of the event, with the fastest cars coming from the rear of each heat race.

Track manager Tim McAvaney says the format will be unique for the Formula 500’s and provide for great action in the heats.
“The fastest to the rear format will see a lot of passing in the heats as the stars of the show try and accumulate as many points as possible.”
“Then the 25 lap final will be a great spectacle as we expect a dozen cars to be mixing it up at the front of the field,” said McAvaney.

Other interstate interest was received from Queensland standout Kristin Brown who will front in her brother’s potent Qld#75 car, while Keith Flint (Vic#64), Steve Horton (Vic#91) and Adrian Christian (Vic#34) will round out the interstate entries.

Leading the local chances will be Whyalla based speedster Angelo Karoussis in the SA#27, returning to his older car after a disastrous Oval Express Series where mechanical issues saw him fail to complete the series and finish 42nd overall.

Despite racing sporadically in recent seasons, SA #8 Michael Wise is always on the pace and can never be discounted to take the win, while Murray Bridge resident Damien Eve is always fast at his home track.

Other locals to record good results recently are Scott Dungey (SA#10), Dave Graves (SA#37), Brad Tink (SA#81) and Simon Reichelt (SA#51).

Mechanical gremlins have restricted Chris Brooks (SA#48) so far this season who is keen to turn his season around, while Joe Mecorella (SA#6) is now coming to grips with his new car and slowing great speed.

Darren Shields (SA#15) and Peter Warren (SA#92) are the final nominations, who will both be looking for consistency.

The Lightning Sprints will also race for a blue-ribbon event, with twelve cars nominated for the Des James Memorial.

The V8 Super Sedans also have twelve cars nominated, including last start winner Victorian Zac Calderwood and fellow interstater Ash Bergmeier.

Thirteen Wingless Sprints, eighteen AMCA Nationals, fourteen Street Stocks and a dozen Jump Cars will support the main categories in what promises to be an action packed finale.

Gates open at 3.30pm with qualifying for the Formula 500’s from 5pm and racing from 6pm.