Motorsport: Veteran applies brakes to superstock career

Murray Long has retired from Hawkeyes teams racing. INSET: His number plate which no longer applies. Photo / Duncan Brown

After 20 years of racing for the Hawke's Bay Hawkeyes superstock team it was always going to be a struggle for Murray Long to utter the retirement word at last weekend's Palmerston North teams champs.

"It was a tough decision to make but the body told me it was time. The pain in my shoulders and elbows confirmed the decision ... there were lots of injuries down there and some big hits," Long, 52, said after returning from the most prestigious event on the Speedway New Zealand calendar.

"You have got to be fit and I'm not as fit as I used to be. I only just got fit enough after recovering from my bout of pancreatitis which sidelined me for most of last season."

The oldest driver in Palmy, Long, has raced in 52 races at the event which attracts the country's top teams, as well those from Great Britain. While he is disappointed to retire without having helped the Hawkeyes win the title, he said there have been numerous highlights.

"We've had a couple of seconds and three thirds during my time," Long recalled.

"Beating Nelson was always a highlight because we were their bogey team over the years. It was funny how we beat Nelson most of the time but seldom beat the Palmerston North Panthers," he said, referring to this season's winners and regular winners of the title who the Hawkeyes beat last year on their way to a memorable third placing.

The Hawkeyes team of Long, Steve Jude, Regan O'Brien, Quintin Butcher, Adam Groome and Wayne Talbot beat the Auckland All Stars 165-30 in the battle for fifth on Saturday night. Long finished third in this race as well as in their semifinal, which they lost 160-35 to eventual runners-up Wanganui Warriors.

On Friday night, Long won the Hawkeyes opening race which was a 160-35 win against Canterbury. He finished second as the Hawkeyes secured a 160-35 victory against the All Stars in their other group race.

Long was quick to reply when quizzed on the driver who gave him his hardest hit in Palmy.

"That has to be former Panther Doug Holmes. I'm not good on dates but it has to be 12 or 15 years ago."

Long said the Hawkeyes have become extremely professional in recent years.

"James Buckrell and Mike Groome have set high standards in terms of attire and accommodation. In the early days it was quite social in comparison."

"There are plenty of good young fellahs to battle for my spot ... Thomas Stanaway and Mac Kwok to name a couple. James [Buckrell] has said he will find a role for me ... I will always be there to help the young fellahs and give some advice," Long said.

A co-owner of Ansin & Monteith with his wife Fiona, Long, said he will continue to do some club racing. However the one-time Hawke's Bay champion won't be attempting to improve on his ninth placing when the second of three rounds in the Hawke's Bay championship is raced at Meeanee tomorrow night.

"Adam [Groome] blew up his car at the weekend so he might get mine for the round."

Tomorrow night's other feature attraction will be a stockcar best pairs event with a first prize of $1000. Super saloons, streetstocks, saloons and sidecars will be the support classes.

Hawke's Bay TQ driver Duane Todd will attempt to retain his national title in Greymouth this weekend. His cousin Craig Todd, a two-time winner of the title, will be the Bay's other starter in the field of 48. Qualifying races will be held tonight and the championship races tomorrow night.