FORMULA 500s return to the Borderline Speedway this weekend for a re-run on the previously cancelled South Australian title.
Initially set down for the 2016-17 season, the event was called off due to wet weather, with all competitors keen to see the event go ahead this weekend.
The competitive class sees what appear to be small sprintcars take to the track, with up to 600cc motorcycle engines providing an impressive power-to-weight ratio and close racing.
Limestone Coast fans will have plenty to cheer for, with Jordan Mansell, Pat Merrett and Stephanie Munn all lining up for a shot at the title.
But they will have no shortage of challengers on the night, with the likes of Victorians Chris Bellman and Jack Bell venturing across the border to try and steal the show.
Bell is a former feature winner, while Bellman is fresh off a third place finish at the recent Jack Willsher Cup.
Add to that fellow Victorians in the fast Josh Buckingham, Dale Sinclair, who managed a top five in the Jack Willsher Cup and even Tasmanian Jock Goodyer – who snared fourth place in the same event last week – and there is no shortage of talent in the field.
After some mechanical issues this season, Mansell will look to return to his best, with his car sorted out and on the pace.
“We had a good hit out at Bordertown two weekends ago and finished in the top 10,” he said.
“That was probably our first decent run without any issues.
“We still have a few changes to make with the new car for this season and are still testing a few things, but we are definitely getting there.”
Mansell said he was keen to take to the track in front of a home crowd with a big field of top drivers.
“We do not get many shows at the Mount, so it is good to have a decent event here with a good car count,” he said.
“We will have the best drivers from SA and Victoria and they are all pretty quick.”
Mansell said his aim for the night would be to qualify straight into the A Main and then push for a top 10.
He said if all goes well, his car should be up to the task.
“I think this car has definitely got the speed,” he said.
“We ran top five at Murray Bridge on three cylinders, so I think once we get it sorted, we should be up the front.”
Merrett will certainly take the challenge up to the visiting drivers, tipped as one to watch if he makes the A Main feature.
In his fifth season in the category, he is keen to continue his good form.
“We won the opening night at Murray Bridge then had a sixth at Bordertown and seventh at Warrnambool last week,” he said.
“Warrnambool was tough, with 38 cars in the Jack Willsher Cup.
“I was lucky enough two years ago to come second in that, but it is always a tough one to win.”
Running a Yamaha R6 engine in a car that was new last season, Merrett said he was pleased with how everything was going, but was expecting a tough challenge Saturday night.
“Ideally a top three would be a great result,” he said.
“Anywhere in the top five or so would be good, but it is looking like a tough field, with heaps of Victorians and one driver from Tassie.
“I think the state title has gone to the Victorians the last couple so it would be good to bring it back home.”
For Munn it will be a return to her home town – now based in Geelong – and a chance to perform in front of her loyal fans.
A rebuilt Jettco Yamaha R6 engine should have her running hot, while new livery on the car adds to small changes made from last season, but with only one run so far season, there is still plenty of work to do.
Munn said she was keen to be back at home racing.
“I am getting a lot of support from back home which is great, because I obviously still call Mount Gambier home and I’m back just about every weekend,” she said.
“So far I have only had one run this season, at Bordertown two weekends ago – we did not do the Jack Willsher Cup unfortunately because we were waiting on our engine to be ready – so I am looking forward to having the good engine back in for this weekend’s race and hopefully getting some good points and finish towards the pointy end.”
With her car sorted and plenty of experience racing against the Victorian visitors heading across for the event, Munn said all was in place for a big night.
“We have a good car and dad is awesome at setting it up,” she said.
“Being in front of a home crowd amps me up a bit more and gives me something to strive for.”
