The 2026 Sprite and Midget National Challenge has wrapped up, and as we all return to our everyday lives, it’s the perfect time to look back on the moments that made this year’s event so memorable.
Monday 27th April
Getting There and the Welcome Events
The 2026 National Challenge brought together nearly 100 enthusiasts who travelled from across Australia to get to Murray Bridge. Some drove directly in Spridgets from QLD, Tasmania, NSW and Victoria. Others went cross county via transporter plus a short drive down from QLD. A number made the journey a holiday with sightseeing along the way.
Some flew, others used tow vehicles to trailer their pride and joy, and some simply arrived in their modern cars. By Monday 27th April 2026, the Sprites and Midgets and their owners had converged on the Bridgeport Hotel at Murray Bridge in time for a Welcome BBQ hosted by the Murray Bridge RSL Bowling Club.
By then the hotel rooms were allocated, trailers stored at various venues throughout the town, Rally Bags and Merchandise handed over, Sprites and Midgets stored in the underground car park and most attendees had time for a quick drink, catch up and chat before heading over the River Murray. At the Bowling Club, the RSL Team did a great job to feed us all within a short time, with a range of meats, salads and desserts.
A few welcome words from President Grant Stephenson, and Gordon Boyce identified the program for the next few days. A few more drinks, a few laughs, old times reminisced, new friendships formed, and the 2026 National Challenge was off with a bang!
Tuesday 28th April
Show ‘n’ Shine – Wharf Car Park, Sturt Reserve
An early start to the day with 40 gleaming cars on display on the grass alongside the River, with hundreds of Little Corella’s singing and squawking to welcome us to Murray Bridge – Gee they were loud all morning!
From standard and race Bugeyes, tidy Sprite Mk II’s, Mk III Sprites and Midgets, plus a Sprite Mk III and Camper Trailer, showcased the different cars that were in attendance.
A range of Associate Vehicles also impressed the spectators as well, MX-5’s, Jaguars and a lovely, rare Nash Healey made up this display.
People had a chance to vote for their favorite vehicle, with the highest number of votes going to Wendy Gibbs from NSW with Esme and Shirley, the Sprite Mk III plus camper trailer, looking splendid after the recent cosmetic update since the Spritely Adventure around Australia four years ago!
Social Drive and Observation Run
Around 10.30am most had packed up and headed for a social drive via the Old Princes Highway to Oakbank Racecourse to view the MG Nationals Concourse.
This all day event had approx. 120 MG’s from the early Midgets and TC’s to the MGB and C’s, the modern MGF’s and the very new MG vehicles, including the 4×4 dual cab MG U9, featuring a 2.5L turbo-diesel engine.
After a few hours wandering around the serious Spridget drivers returned to Murray Bridge via a range of winding roads through Naine, Wistow, Woodchester and Callington. On the way the teams looked for questions and clues to answer the Observation Run.
This gave crews the chance to enjoy the roads while learning more about the local area: “What is quarried at Wistow?”, “Gundagai has the dog on the tucker box—what does Wistow have?”, “When was Callington established?”, and “What do the locals call a bunyip?”
And where was Gate 5 at the Oakbank Racecourse??
The finish line was at the famed Bunyip at Sturt Reserve, where the answers were checked, and the crews had to collect certain items along the way, A gum leaf, a yellow flower, a Magnum ice cream stick and a 5-cent piece.
Most crews enjoyed the run with all returning by about 4.30pm, with a couple of mechanical issues for a couple of crews.
With a high score plus all items collected, Garry Neeman and Alex Salmon from Victoria were the winning team!
Memorabilia Dinner and Rocker Cover Racing
Back to the Bridgeport Hotel, a quick clean up and upstairs to the Murray Room for a buffet evening meal.
Each Sprite Club had the option to display their wares and memorabilia. Some showing of shirts, jackets, caps and badges. The AHSDC (VIC) had a display of past memorabilia and previous magazines, images, port bottles, plus other assorted items.
This was an opportunity for AHSDC President Bib van Oosterom to lead a celebration of the 60th Birthday of the AHSDC. This included a few speeches, a cake cutting with senior members of the club having the honours to wish the AHSDC another 60 years of Spriteing. The cake then became our dessert for the evening.
It was then a chance for AHSDC Member Bob Lomas (“Bob the Bard”) to recite the “Man from Winton” – to the theme of the Man from Snowy River. This wonderful poem covered many members and the challenges they have when they head to the circuit – a memorable moment for all present.
Now the serious competition event was set for 14 Rocker Cover Racers, of all colours, styles, wheel types, and careful set up and tuning! This round robin event saw vehicles knocked out at the end of two runs with the faster racers going through to the finals. After some tough competition, close racing and a few careful finishing judgements, the fastest on the night was Sean Power (SA) directing the Alex Moncrieff special, closely followed by Mike Welsh (Vic) and Robin Dunk (SA). The best presented Rocker Cover Racer went to Ruth Norris – with a Captain America themed racer!
Wednesday 29th April
Strathalbyn Social Drive and Bleasdale Winery
The day dawned with Murray Bridge blanketed in fog, creating a misty start to the morning. The attendees either joined the bus tour or drove their Sprites, Midgets or Moderns to Strathalbyn via a different range of winding roads.
Once at “Strath”, people could check out the bakery and cafes, Gilberts Motor Museum, Collectable Classics car showroom, or the range of antique shops, and the park in the town centre.
Some crews craved fish n chips so headed to the south coast at Port Elliot for a classic beachside meal! – Well done Sharon and Avis!
After a wander around and bite to eat we headed to the Bleasdale Winery. Here the Cellar Door and winery were opened exclusively for the Sprite Clubs. Tours of the historic winery, which has been run by the family since 1850, with an 8th generation family member giving us a guided tour of the facility.
Meanwhile there was a range of red and white wines, and fortified ports for us to sample, and you could have a good sample – particularly for those travelling on the bus!
The winery had provided us a special discount as well, so most took a bottle or two home with them. Somehow, we squeezed 6 bottles into the already packed Bugeye!
A quick Spritely blast back to the Bridgeport Hotel to clean up for the evening meal.
SuperSprint and Regularity Event at The Bend Motorsport Park
While some were touring, sipping and cruising, those with a need for speed headed to The Bend to join the MG Car Club for the SuperSprint. Here the drivers enjoyed the West Circuit – with the long main straight, elevation changes, and sweeping curves both banked and off camber to challenge the drivers.
Twenty-Two competitors had entered for the Sprite Club SuperSprint, so all were grouped together and away they go………………!
After working out which way the circuit went and what revs and gears to use, all drivers seemed to enjoy themselves, and the worldclass facilities. There were a few rattly engines at the end of the day, a few with brake issues and the usual wear and tear on items throughout the cars.
While the SuperSprint was trying to find the fastest on the day, the Regularity was the competition to find the most consistent. This could be by the careful use of controlled revs and tight gear changes for each lap or just driving as fast as you can!
This latter technique is the one that Mike Dore (VIC) used to win this special award!
Fastest Sprite on the Day also went to Mike Dore, with the Fastest Associate vehicle was Dean King (SA) in the Rotary powered Sprite.
1924 Riverfront Steakhouse Dinner
After a full day, we all need a full belly! And Peter and his team at the 1924 Riverfront Steakhouse restaurant did a fantastic job to feed 100 people with a range of delicious meals including steak, chicken and vegetarian.
The restaurant is located on the river front (obviously!!) just in front of the Bridgeport Hotel, so it was a short stroll – or drive – for all to attend.
With a range of trivial quizzes on the tables – thanks to Grant and Angela – there was lots of head scratching for car badge identities, car models and the cars made famous on the big screen, particularly The Italian Job, starring Michael Caine and importantly the three Mini Coopers used for the getaway.
The other film star car featured in the quiz was the Blue Bugeye – SUS-600 – of Helen King – that featured in the SA Film Corporation’s 1977 classic “The Sound of Love”. For more info check out our Flashback Friday article: https://spriteclub.com.au/?p=8789
It was also the celebration of Bob Lomas’s (AHSDC) 78th birthday – sorry I said he was 80!
With two more days to go most headed back to the Hotel for a good night’s sleep.
Thursday 30th April
Captain Proud Paddle Boat Cruise
From the advert sprouting a “3-hour cruise” the Skippers, Gilligans, Ginger, Professors and a real MaryAnne headed to the wharf for a paddle boat river cruise.
The captain welcomed all aboard and soon they set sail upstream to view all the River Murray has to offer, cliffs, scenery, wildlife, bird life and an enjoyable meal. Special interest sights and details were informed by the captain during the cruise. Some put their feet up and enjoyed the peaceful beat of the paddle wheels, and a chance to chat to fellow attendees and friends. Others took the opportunity to snap a few photos of the scenery and locations along the way.
Soon the “Captain Proud” was tied back up at the wharf, and all disembarked and made their way to various locations around Murray Bridge or headed back to the Hotel. Some went looking in Op Shops for that additional item for their ‘60’s outfit for tonight’s dinner or to check out the other shops in the main street.
Due to filling all the seats on the boat a few of the Nationals Committee headed to the Wellington Hotel for lunch and a quick blast to The Bend for the Motorkhana.
Motorkhana at The Bend Motorsport Park
What would a National Challenge be without a motorkhana!
The venue was the bitumen surface in the carpark of The Bend Motorsport Park. This was organised by the MG Car Club as part of their Nationals. The Sprite National’s competitors formed the third and last group of the day. All commented how efficiently the event was run with two runs at three motorkhana tests.
For the uninitiated, a motorkhana is a set of flags that represent a particular course, usually slaloms or weaving courses. The winner is the person that achieves all tests with the fastest time. This requires precision driving, careful throttle and steering control.
Due to mechanical issues, NSW Sprite Club of Australia President Scott Gibbs completed only one test at each run and was the fastest overall – Well Done Scotty!
AHSDC driver Warren Reid in the pretty Austin A30/Sprite based Girino Special was the fastest Associate Driver.
Gala Presentation Dinner at the Bridgeport Hotel
The final night of a National Challenge is always a fun night, with good food, a lot of laughs, some trophy presentations and a chance to dress up. This year’s theme was 1960’s, so there was a range of psychedelic and 1960 inspired costumes.
Once the main meal was over it was a chance for the formal presentations to occur. With trophies for fastest in competition, show ‘n’ shine, observation run, rocker cover racing plus the longest travelled, the trophies and other prizes went to most of the various states that were present.
The Sprite National Challenge Perpetual Trophy is awarded to the Sprite Club with the highest number of points awarded to members attending the various event over the week, with bonus points for driving your Sprite or Midget. When the points were tallied there was only four points between the two top clubs – with Victoria’s AHSDC pipping the Sprite Club of SA for the award!
A raffle was also conducted with specially labelled gin, historical books and range of other prizes available for the winners.
Speeches from all the Sprite Club Presidents – or their delegates – thanked the SA Sprite Club for hosting the 2026 National Challenge and their enjoyment of the event. Alex Robertson also extended the invitation to all to start planning to head to Queensland for the 2028 National Challenge. The QLD Club conducted a survey over the weekend to see what activities people would like to do during the event.
Over the years the Sprite Clubs of each state were always identified as various animals – SA = Aardvarks (its along story, but I need a port or three to help retell the story!), QLD = Cane Toads, VIC = Wombats and NSW = Dingos. The Western Australian crews were added as Sandgropers when some traversed the Nullarbor to the Mallala Sprite Nationals in 2001.
In 2026 it was the opportunity to welcome the Tassie Devils to the group with Richard Gotch and Andrew Wood driving the Midget from Tasmania! Well done guys and great to see you enjoying the event.
After a few group photos and the call for last drinks most headed off to the bar, various rooms for another glass – or some just headed off to bed!
Friday 1st May
Farewell Breakfast and Run to Birdwood Mill Motor Museum
There is nothing like a hearty breakfast after a night on the town, so most headed back to the Murray Room for eggs, sausages, bacon, toast, coffee and all of the other offerings. This provided a change to say farewell to long term friends, new acquaintances and colleagues.
Some were heading straight to their home state, some were touring the sights of SA while others were heading to Mallala for the MSCA Peter Hall 6 Hour Relay Sprint.
As a last stopover the Organising Committee had arranged for the vehicles to be on display at the National Motor Museum at the Birdwood Mill. The staff at the museum assisted with parking the vehicles and made all welcome. We were also joined by Carl Ward in his recently updated Bugeye with air bag suspension which allowed the Sprite to be parked on the ground – literally!
Most spent time wandering through the exhibition viewing the various cars and motorbikes, plus motoring memorabilia. The Museum staff had also gone to the effort to go through their collection and had several Austin Healey Sprite items on display for all to see.
After a bite to eat most headed on their way to their next destination.
And with that the 2026 Sprite and Midget National Challenge was over.
All the comments over the week were thankful for the Sprite Club of SA in hosting the event, and the effort that was made to make the week a memorable event, The Bridgeport Hotel was thanked for its support of the attendees and the quality of the accommodation, particularly for a regional Hotel.
And our thanks to all the businesses and organisations that supported the 2026 Nationals, which also assisted in making this event a success. All of these organisations went out of their way to make the event a success.
Particularly of note was Brett Kennewell from Kennewell CNC Machining and the 45 Army Cadet Unit, and their assistance with securely storing both race cars and trailers or trailers at these facilities. We thank them for this support and assistance.
And special thanks to almost 100 people who made the effort to travel from their home, both in SA and all of the other Mainland States, to Murray Bridge to support the 2026 National Challenge. It is these people that made the event what it was and set the scene for meeting up once again in Queensland in 2028
Special thanks to the 2026 National’s Committee for their planning, organising, and eye for detail that assisted with the smooth running of the 2026 National Challenge.
The Committee consisted of:
- Robin Dunk
- Kerry Fisher
- Sue Stephenson
- Helen King
- Grant Stephenson
- Angela Wicks
- Dean King
- Gordon Boyce
The final results are listed below:
Competition Awards
Sprint – Fastest Sprite
1st Mike Dore
2nd Mike Welsh
3rd Scott Gibbs
Sprint – Fastest Associate
1st Dean King
2nd Wayne King
3rd Warren Reid
Sprint – Regularity
1st Mike Dore
2nd Peter Oborn
3rd Bob Lomas
Motorkhana – Fastest Sprite
1st Scott Gibbs
2nd Mike Welsh
3rd Mike Dore
Motorkhana – Fastest Associate
1st Warren Reid
2nd Simon Browning
3rd Greg Newbold
Top Sprite / Midget (inc Sprint/Motorkhana/Regularity)
1st Mike Dore
2nd Mike Welsh
3rd Scott Gibbs
Social Awards
Display Day – People’s Choice – Total Votes = 88 votes
1st WAG-060 – Wendy Gibbs – 16 votes
2nd SPI-960 – Don & Elaine Cardone – 13 votes
3rd SBB-504 – Grant Stephenson – 7 votes
Observation Run
1st Garry Neeman & Alex Salmon
2nd Peter Oborn, Jim Dewar, Simon Browning & Sue Dore
3rd Grant Stephenson & Angela Wicks
Hard Luck Award – Brian & Kay Bond (QLD) – Clutch Issues
Rocker Cover Racing
1st Sean Power
2nd Mike Welsh
3rd Robin Dunk
Best Dressed Rocker Cover Racer – Captain America – Ruth Norris
Best Dressed Male – Chris Brincat
Best Dressed Female – Bib van Oosterom
Furthest Distance travelled to attend the Nationals –
Brett & Beryl Cawley – WA
Furthest Distance travelled in a Sprite to attend the Nationals –
Brian & Kay Bond – QLD
Sprite National Challenge Trophy
1st Victoria 830 points
2nd South Australia 826 points
3rd Queensland 467 points
Special thanks to the following people for images or videos used in this article, Robin Dunk, Grant Stephenson, Gordon Boyce, Peter Oborn, Carl Ward, Scott Gibbs, Steven and Kathie Leane, Ian & Wendy Gibbs, Avis Fowler plus all of the National Challenge attendees who uploaded images to the 2026 Sprite Nationals Whats App platform.