Drivers are set for round one of the Speedway Australia rookie of the year series, which kicks off at Murray Machining and Sheds Murray Bridge Speedway this weekend.

Although it is still early in the season, three rookies will hit the track and will be looking to maximise points before more rookies are expected to join the series in coming weeks.

Heading the list this weekend is Mount Gambier resident Steph Munn in the family s44 Jimmy Tools machine. Steph has already been impressive in pre season practise and in her first race hit out recently at Murray Bridge. Steph comes from a very successful bitumen karting background and will be expected to be one to watch.

Patrick Merritt driving the s64 Bordertown Pumps and Refrigeration Stallard will also be expected to be competitive early, also finding form in early practise and will draw on a dirt karting background this weekend in his Formula 500 debut.

Rounding out the rookies this weekend is Jason Norris in the s26 PMP. Like so many before him, Jason is also coming from a Dirt Karting background and will be expected to be on the pace early.

This weekend forms round one of a six round series which also doubles as round one of the Southern Showdown state series which sees a total of twenty two cars entered including seven from Victoria.

2013 – 2014 speedway Australia Rookie of the year series dates –

Round 1 - October 19 Murray Machining and Sheds Murray Bridge Speedway
Round 2 - December 14 Tolmer Speedway, Bordertown
Round 3 – January 10 Speedway City, Virginia
Round 4 – January 18 Sunline Speedway, Waikerie
Round 5 – March 9 Riverland Speedway, Renmark
Round 6 – April 5 Westline Whyalla, Speedway

If you can’t make it to the races, you can follow the action on facebook by going to the Formula 500’s SA page.