STREET OUTLAWS

DAVID MURPHY’S WILD FALCON SQUARED OFF AGAINST MARK HAYES’S HEAD-KICKING TORANA IN ONE OF THE MOST CONTENTIOUS FINALS IN POWERCRUISE HISTORY

THE heads-up action continued back over at Sydney Motorsport Park the following day, with the $5000, winner-takes-all Street Outlaws racing on the main straight. The no-prep surface and cool, damp conditions favoured the all-wheel-drive import brigade, and the smart money was on the JUN II and ARSONL Skyline GT-RS, both of which looked stonkingly quick early in the elimination rounds. But along the way Godzilla tripped and fell, and we were treated to a good old-fashioned all-v8 Holdenversus-ford final.

David Murphy’s wild Murphy’s Law Falcon squared off against Mark Hayes’s head-kicking 763ci Torana for the five grand. Both are nitrous cars, but David and Mark didn’t fire up the giggle gas this time around to help with traction. What transpired was one of the most contentious finals in Powercruise history!

Murphy left on Hayes, and while some suggested that he buggered off early – even the starter indicated it may have been the case – officials carefully scrutinised a slow-motion replay after the race and ruled that he cut a near-perfect light.

But the real controversy occurred when Murphy’s Law broke loose mid-track and crossed into Hayes’s lane, with Mark lifting as a result. Both men returned to the startline to argue their case, and words were exchanged. In the absence of a clearly defined centreline, officials awarded the cash to Murphy. He offered to re-run the final for the benefit of the crowd, but not for the five grand. Hayes declined, and both racers shook hands and went their separate ways.