MOUNT Gambier based driver Steven Lines powered his new Horrell Motorsport sprintcar from position 17 to fifth in the A-Main in Round 2 of the World Series Sprintcars (WSS) at Murray Bridge Speedway on Wednesday night.
Ran in conjunction with Speedweek – which Lines is contending for – the impressive result saw him sitting 13th overall before last night’s round at the Borderline Speedway in Mount Gambier.
It was Lines’ second outing with his new team, which was seen as a significant improvement to Round 1 – the night before – where he failed to progress through to the A-Main.
He went from fourth to second in his opening heat on Wednesday night before starting in position three for his second hit out and crossing the line in third.
It was a similar story in the B-Main where Lines powered his way through to finish where he began on the grid – in third.
Starting out of 17th for the main event, there was little expected from Lines, but with luck going his way and the Horrell Motorsport sprintcar handing well, the Mount Gambier driver was able to push his way through the field into fifth by the chequered flag.
While it was not a podium, Lines limited the damage and as a result still has a chance at contending the Speedweek overall victory.
On the other hand, James McFadden bettered his Round 1 result of fifth and crossed the line in first place to earn himself the $10,000 prize money.
He was followed by Jason Johnson – who was on top of the overall WSS standings after both rounds at Murray Bridge – and Matt Egel in third.
It was a tough night on the track with just 14 drivers finishing the main event from 20 starters.
While it was a positive night for Lines, it was quite the opposite for local drivers Glen Sutherland and Jake Tranter.
Sutherland started well and qualified 10th in time trials, but his night went downhill from there.
In his first heat he was unable to make his way through the field, starting and finishing in sixth.
Sutherland was pushed back to seventh after starting fifth in his second heat, which forced him to contest for a position in the A-Main through the B-Main.
Starting in sixth, Sutherland’s night ended early with a disappointing 11th-place finish.
Meanwhile, after a credible 12th in the A-Main in Round 1, Tranter did not qualify to contend for a position in the major race on Wednesday night.
He dropped from his starting position of third to sixth in his opening heat, before starting and finish in fourth – behind Lines – in his second.
Those results put him into the C-Main where he started third and finished in the same position – just missing out on a B-Main transfer.
At the time of going to print Round 3 in Mount Gambier was under way.
Results from Round 3 at Borderline Speedway and 4 at Avalon Raceway will appear in Tuesday’s edition of The Border Watch.
WORLD SERIES SPRINTCARS ROUND 2 RESULTS
A-Main results: James McFadden W17; Jason Johnson W26; Matt Egel S97; Carson Macedo N99; Steven Lines NQ3; Brad Keller S19; Ryan Jones S63; Luke Dillon S81; Cory Eliason USA00; Keke Falland S78; David Murcott V88; Daniel Pestka S27; Kerry Madsen A1; Tim Van Ginneken V36.
