From Peterson Media
Kyle Hirst nearly picked up his first International win to ring in 2013, but a late race battle with defending World Series Sprint Car Champion, James McFadden, left him in the second spot.
Heading to the Premier Speedway on New Years day to close out Speedweek, KH timed in the Ruhs brothers No.99 machine in seventh fastest.
Scoring third and sixth place finishes in his heats, the Sacramento, CA driver put his High Race 24 Hour Towing/Factory Kahne/Kaedings Performance backed machine in the pole shootout, where he scored a second place finish.
When the feature went green, Hirst shot out to an early lead, as McFadden trailed him in the second spot.
Looking like a seasoned vet on a track he had never seen before, Hirst looked to have the race in command until he got into traffic with just a handful of laps remaining.
Battling with a slower car, McFadden was able to get under Hirst, and he was unable to get back around and settled for second.
“It was great to have this 99 car up front,” Hirst said. “I’ve never seen James (McFadden) race before these last few races, and he’s as good as any. It was fun to race with him and I congratulate him on the win.”
Taking a few days off, the team headed to the Archerfield Speedway in Brisbane for a two-night affair.
Going out in the first group for qualifications, Hirst timed in with a tough 20th quick effort, putting him in an early hole.
“We only got to hotlap once and it was pretty greasy, so we didn’t really have a baseline to go out on, and we missed it,” he said.
With three heat races and just an 18 car feature on tap due to the two day show, Hirst would go on to score second, third, and fourth place heat finishes to put him 16th on the night and into the feature event.
Early in the feature, Hirst half spun his machine, and Robby Farr made contact with the front end, and Hirst’s night was over.
Coming back on Saturday night KH’s third place heat effort propelled him up the point charts to eighth and he earned the final spot in the inverted A scramble, which he won, and started the feature from the eight spot.
On a very tough track to negotiate as it was very slick, and became abrasive, Hirst got in line, and ended up scoring a ninth place finish.
“It wasn’t the finish we were looking for, but overall it was a blast to see another new track, and not have any bad luck.”
2013 BY THE NUMBERS- Starts-3, Wins-0, Top 5’s-1, Top 10’s-2.
ON TAP: Hirst will remain is Brisbane for the Capalaba Cup schedule for Tuesday, January 8th.
Hirst’s Down Under Tour Schedule-
January
Capalaba Cup 8th Brisbane, Queensland
360 Sprint Car cup 12th Adelaide,South Aust
World Series Round 7 night 1 18th Sydney, New South Wales
World Series Round 7 night 2 19thSydney, New South Wales
Feb
World Series round 8 2nd Speedway city Adelaide
Cunnigham 74 Schedule
January
Presidents Cup 23rd Avalon, Victoria
Kings Challenge 25th Mt. Gambier, South Aust.
Grand Challenge 26th Warrnambool, Victoria
Grand Challenge 27th Warrnambool, Victoria