DARREN Mollenoyux is adopting a philosophical approach as he chases consecutive Sprintcar Racing Association of Victoria series crowns at Allansford’s Premier Speedway tonight.
The Warrnambool driver enters the series grand final 139 points behind Mitcham’s Matthew Reed and with a maximum of 430 points on offer, the race is far from over.
“Mathematically we can win,” Mollenoyux said.
“I think it is probably a pretty big ask but if we put in the best we can do, the points will sort themselves out.”
Mollenoyux said he had spent some time this week trying to work out the equation.
“Based on the points for the feature, I would have to win and he would have to finish 15th but that doesn’t take into consideration any heat race points. Last week we made up 30 points on him in the heats.”
Complicating the possibilities is a bigger field, including national champ James McFadden, Grand Annual Sprintcar Classic winner Steven Lines, the winners of the past two SRA rounds — South Australian Daniel Pestka and Point Cook’s Dave Murcott — and Warrnambool speedster Jamie Veal. With the extra hot shots in the field, a bad night from either of the top three in the standings, Reed, Mollenoyux and Brett Milburn, could see them miss the final.
“Anything is possible,” Mollenoyux said. “It will be what it is.”
Mollenoyux, who won the series last season without a round win, is in a similar situation tonight. He has had four second placings this season.
“Last year we played the points game and got to the last round and knew we only had to finish here or there to win it. I’ve enjoyed it a lot more this year, just doing our best.
“We have taken a little bit of a different approach. Last year there were a few times when we had to worry about the points (and driver conservatively) but this year we have gone out chasing the round wins.
“We had a DNF the very first night — while leading we had a puncture. That would have been enough to put us in the lead now. But everyone has their bad nights in a 12-round series.”
Mollenoyux said he hoped his home track would be slick and wide.
More than 40 drivers will contest the series finale.
grbest@fairfaxmedia.com.au