Former Avalon Raceway Sprintcar track champion David Murcott has made a solid bid for the 2012 / 2013 edition when he won last night’s Eureka Garages and Sheds Gold Cup event ahead of Darren Hickman and Grant Anderson. Murcott has leapt to the top of the track championship standings after he stormed to the win while Sunday night’s Enzed World Series Sprintcars as supported by Hogs Breath Café round provides Murcott another chance to accumulate valuable track championship points.
Surging to the win in heat 8 provided Murcott with the momentum he needed to secure a top 6 pole shootout berth where he would record the third quickest time behind pole sitter Stephen Bell and defending Eureka Sprintcar Series champ Darren Mollenoyux.
At the drop of the green flag Mollenoyux’s hopes were quickly dashed when a massive wheel stand ensured he would lose several places at the first turn while Murcott elevated himself to second behind tear away leader Stephen Bell.
Seemingly cruising out in front, Bell’s fortunes turned dramatically six laps into the event when he spun to a standstill in turn 2 handing the lead to Murcott in the process. Almost at the same time, Darren Mollenoyux was also eliminated from the event while running inside the top 5, this time in turn 4.
From this point Murcott never looked back with Matthew Reed closing on the leader in traffic before eventually slipping back to fourth at the chequered flag.
With Murcott a clear leader, sixth starting Darren Hickman produced a stunning drive to power into the runner up position by race end as he edged clear of Grant Anderson who also drove a great race to round out the podium. Reed was fourth ahead of Mike Van Bremen, Brett Milburn, John Vogels, Brad Warren, Rod Mathews and Will Carroll in tenth. The remaining finishers were Peter Milnes, David McKay, Michael Cunningham and Adam King. Joining Bell and Mollenoyux with DNF’s were Eddie Lumbar and Tim Van Ginneken.
Van Ginneken won the last chance B-main ahead of Mathews, Cunningham, Carroll, King and McKay as they would all advance to the back of the A-main.
Dennis Jones won the C-main ahead of Charles Hunter, Brendan Balcombe and Brett Smith.
Johnny Vogels proved to be a popular heat 1 winner while Darren Mollenoyux, Glen Sutherland and Mike Van Bremen won the other first round encounters. Those that prevailed in the second round heats included Reed, Bell, Lumbar and of course Murcott.
Ash Parkinson proved to be too strong in the Christmas Cup for Modified Production Sedans as he won ahead of Daryl Logue and Darren Cockerill.
Avalon Raceway management now look forward to Sunday night’s Sprintcar spectacular that features American’s Shane Stewart, Tim Kaeding, Jason Johnson, Kyle Hirst and Caleb Griffith. This talented group of imports will tackle the likes of Murcott, two time feature winner at Avalon this summer Steven Lines and defending WSS champ James McFadden.
Fans are also encouraged to attend the ‘Pit Party’ from 3pm that allows fans to wander through the usually sacred pit area to meet the drivers and purchase merchandise.
Next Event; Sunday December 30th – World Series Sprintcars
Website; www.avalonraceway.com
For more info contact Jeff Drew 0418 160 985 / Gavin White email gwxp@speedway.net.au