DEFENDING champion Darren Mollenoyux is setting himself for a late run at the Sprintcar Racing Association of Victoria series after losing ground in the overall standings on Saturday night.
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The Warrnambool driver was fifth in a controversial A main at Moama, with Melbourne’s Brett Milburn taking the win from series leader Matthew Reed, Darren Hickman and another Warrnambool driver, Jamie Veal.
Mollenoyux was critical of some rivals who ran “on the infield” without penalty.
With passing difficult, Mollenoyux and Bell tried to work the high line to improve their positions but the defending series champion fell back to ninth at one stage before making ground late.
Mollenoyux said cars running on the edge of the infield were throwing dust up the track.
“You couldn’t see the car in front of you,” Mollenoyux said. “I couldn’t see anything.”
While Mollenoyux remained second in the championship, Reed extended his lead to 72 points with four rounds remaining.
“We lost a few spots. It could have been a lot worse if we had finished 10th or 15th.
“I wasn’t too happy when I was back in eighth or ninth but to lose 35 points to him wasn’t too bad in the end. That lead is equal to passing seven cars in a feature. He’s obviously in the better position at the moment.”
Mollenoyux said his team had to build virtually a new car after his roll in the Grand Annual Sprintcar Classic final two weeks ago.
He said he was confident of a good showing in the final four rounds.
“We haven’t really been having a great year as far as finishes go. We have had good car speed and been good in time trials but we have had a couple of problems and not finished. Hopefully we can get some results.”
grbest@fairfaxmedia.com.au