“It’s a very special feeling for me to win here tonight” were the words from the Speedcar Super Series opening round winner Troy Jenkins, at Murray Bridge Speedway last night after an enthralling 30 lap feature!

Taking the win in the Chris Gardiner NSW 2 BOC Gases Stealth after an astonishing three-way battle for the lead with Rondalee Rocket Mark Brown and local South Australian hero Luke Dillon; Jenkins’ smooth and steady driving style saw him hold off his challengers to claim the $2,000 Stealth Motorsports SSS cheque before an awed crowd.

Jenkins shot to the lead from position two in the feature after Luke Dillon claimed pole during a series of impressive pole shuffles; followed by West Aussie young-gun Dene McAllan and Sydney’s Mark Brown, Brett Morris and Nathan Smee. As McAllan and Brown challenged Dillon for second, behind them West Australian Neville Lance looked set to move past Smee until the yellows were dropped five laps in due to contact between Victorian's Peter Ghent Jnr and Harley Bishop, which forced Bishop to come to a stop on turn two; while Mark Brown spun on turn 4. The trio were sent rear of the field for the restart with Jenkins leading away from Dillon, McAllan, Morris, Smee, Lance, Colin Brooks SA21, Matt Young N67, Qld's Brad Hilder in the SA46, Paul Rinkin N69 and Peter Bourke N21.

Smee retired from the race with a flat rear as Dillon prepared to sneak past Jenkins at the green flag. Slipping down low, the pair sped around the circuit wheel to wheel before Jenkins retook the lead as McAllan came into force on the tail of the yellow SA9 Dillon machine; passing expertly through the low line on turns three and four to claim second with 22 laps left on the board.

Matt Young in the Swarfega 67 slipped under Brooks with twenty laps remaining, but all eyes were on the black N11 of Mark Brown who despite being sent rear, was now challenging Morris and Lance along his self-created high line! Running three wide, Brown changed tactics and shot down low to slide past Lance and Morris two laps later. Lance followed suit on Morris through turn four claiming 5th.

Hitting lapped traffic with Jenkins over two corners ahead of the field, Brown swooped under McAllan entering turn one to capture 3rd. Lance and Morris closed the gap on McAllan moments later; Lance moving up high and Morris running his tail. Ahead of them, Brown was riding the rear end of the Dillon Breka/Ed Pink Ford; using the highline to its best advantage. Dillon held up to the assault as Brown drove around him through the turns, the SA9 machine again regaining the position entering the straight-aways. Pushing each other to the extreme, Dillon and Brown were soon gaining precious inches towards the front-running Jenkins leaving Lance, McAllan and Morris to battle it out over a main-straight behind.

If anyone had a blanket on hand, it would have covered the three leaders with their close wheel to wheel onslaught at the front of the field! Jenkins, ever steady under pressure, was soon caught in a blinding attack from the low-running Dillon and highline screamer Brown. With only six laps remaining, Dillon moved confidently under Jenkins though turns three and four as Brown slingshot up high to bring on a three-wide Speedcar spectacle! Jenkins again held the lead as they reached the main straight, but the fire had not yet fizzled out; the onslaught continuing over the next four laps with a barrage of attacks on both sides of the Jenkins N2 machine.

With two laps left on the board, Brown took the car out wide once again, skillfully passing Dillon down the main straight snatching second. Dillon fought back and the three-wide crusade continued until the chequers flew; Jenkins claiming the win from Brown, Dillon, Lance, McAllan, Morris, Young, Ghent, Bishop and Hilder rounding out the top ten.

“I got the jump on Luke and was a little lucky at the start” said Jenkins on his race win. “To the people who helped me like Graham Edge who drove my car down; I can’t thank him, the rest of the crew and our sponsor BOC Gases enough. I just hope we put on a great race”.

“I’m extremely happy” said an elated Series Director Ken Jenkins at the trophy presentation. “Brett Morris took over 8 seconds off the 10-lap record during the heats, young Luke Dillon was extraordinary and for Mark Brown to come from the rear of the field was just an awesome site. This Midget race stands alone as one of the best all-time races”.

“I stuffed up and spun all by myself and then ran out of tear offs with about 25 (laps) to go” noted a heartfelt Mark Brown on the podium. “I’m very happy and have to commend Luke & Troy for their drives. I also have to thank all of you who have come out to watch tonight. I know it’s cold but you guys have got one of the best tracks in Australia”

Round two of the Speedcar Super Series hits Timmis Raceway, Mildura on November 11th.