Queensland-based Horrell Motorsport is attempting to move on from the mechanical issues which condemned its bid for Grand Annual Sprintcar Classic glory.
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Team owner Dave Horrell said magneto or spark box failure was the likely cause of a sublime Classic campaign ending in disaster on Sunday night.
In one of the most enduring images of the weekend, polesitter Dave Murcott cast a despondent figure on the infield, having abandoned the A main after just four laps.
Murcott, the Australian champion, had dominated the Classic up until then. He won the Saturday night feature and topped the points entering Sunday’s mains.
But a lack of power in the $30,000-to-win feature — exposed when Californian Kyle Hirst burst away from him at the start — meant the night ended in heartbreak.
Heightening the disappointment was the fact the race was somewhat of a follow-the-leader affair. The rain-affected track was hooky, which made passing difficult.
Hirst was largely unchallenged from the start, finishing in seven minutes, 42.42 seconds, smashing the previous race record of 8.55.57 by more than a minute.
Had Murcott won the drag to the first turn, the race was at his mercy.
“It was something to do with the magneto or the spark box in the engine. It just started misfiring and losing power. We had no choice but to pull infield,” Horrell said.
“The Classic is always hard to win with that amount of cars there. To get yourself in a position to be off pole is an achievement in itself.
“As the race unfolded, there was very little
passing.
“If we had got the jump, maybe we would’ve won it. The only time there was going to be any passing was if the guy in front made a mistake.”
Horrell said the team “had a good weekend” despite the disappointment. The memorable win on Saturday night ended a drought at Premier Speedway.
“Clearly it’s disappointing not to win both nights, particularly when you’re in the position we were in,” he said
“But it’s all part of what it is. You’ve got to move on and come back next year.
“I don’t know how long it’s going to take (to win a Classic), but we’ll certainly give it a go.”
Horrell Motorsport heads to Murray Bridge on Friday for round eight of World Series Sprintcars. Murcott is second on the standings, behind Brooke Tatnell.
But contractual obligations means they won’t be at Adelaide’s Speedway City for the George Tatnell Cup on Saturday night.
grbest@fairfaxmedia.com.au
