After a big season opener earlier this year, the 2022 Motorsport Australia SA Motorkhana Championship resumes this weekend with the Nissan Datsun Car Car Club of SA hosting the second round.
 
Scheduled to take place at Mallala Raceway, the club will be running eight tests throughout the day with the 35 entered competitors to get two runs of each test, making it a busy day for all attendees.
 
On the entry list are quite a few big absentees from the opening round with Stephen Turner and Graham van der Hoek both out – the latter having blown his engine in the opening round.
 
However, despite those stars not attending, there are quite a few big names within the SA motorkhana community entered - including Mount Gambier drivers Phil and Damien Wilson, Craig Michelmore and five-time Australian champion David Beams.
 
Reigning champion Tony Wallace will also be getting his title-defence underway this weekend after missing the opening round of the season.
 
With such a strong entry list entered for the round, Clerk of Course Karien Heimsohn was looking forward to what would be an entertaining event.
 
“It’s looking really good, and I am excited – especially because the conditions are looking decent and there isn’t a real risk of the event being cancelled for bad weather,” Heimsohn said.
 
“For the championship overall, it’s pretty good to have two thirds of the competition from the first round coming back this weekend – it certainly makes the championship more even.
 
“And although we’re missing the likes of Stephen and Graham, I think we still have a very talented entry list.
 
“Phil and Damien Wilson are amazing to watch, as is Craig. He doesn’t always get the fastest times, but he’s really entertaining because he has a lot of fun.
 
“Other people to look out for include Tony Wallace, and Gary Dodd, who has won the championship before and will be in the running.”
 
Outside of the regular names, there is also a large collection of fresh-faced drivers entered in the motorkhana, some of which are juniors making their motorsport debut and others trying their hand at motorkhanas.
 

With five juniors entered in the motorkhana and three extra doing a come and try day, Heimsohn was pleased to see the sport growing.
 
“A lot of people like our events because it has a relaxed atmosphere and they’re really good for families,” Heimsohn added.
 
“There are always great crowds at these events and hopefully the newbies will come again after this weekend. People who give motorkhanas a try often say how much more challenging they are compared to what the initially thought.
 
“We are also running the come and try to help get people interested in the sport, and on top of the five family teams sharing a car, it really does have a family friendly atmosphere.”
 
The second round of the 2022 Motorsport Australia SA Motorkhana Championship takes place at Mallala Raceway on Sunday 3 May.