Web editor Chris Frost

Copyright © Southern 32, Photos copyright C.Frost 2013 All rights reserved

Southern 32 - 2013

The series for you!

The A Final

LM32 Team Race

So, with Bill needing at least some sleep before going back to work, he had to head off and Graham Sampson travelled with him.  Greg Harwood showed up (eventually) to provide the car and drive with Brian Church as the GTech team.  Finishing the car at the track delayed things a bit but Cliff entered into the spirit by about 3 attempts to get the Perishers car through the 64mm scrutineering gauge.  

Eventually we were all ready to go with six teams and 15 minutes each on each of the four lanes.  Battle was resumed between Ian F and Paul in the first run with them swapping places several times before Ian pulled away to lead for ECES at the end of the first sections.  Dave Harvey continued at almost the same pace to give ECE a healthy half way lead.  Will Stemman had a slower run for Harwood Racing and the dropped behind Impunity (Vince and Ian B) at half time.  Perisher and GTech were close behind Harwoods at half time with GT bringing up the rear.

Round 1- North London SME - 17 February

Club web site

It was a rather quiet start to the S32 season at north London on 17 February.  Some racers still in hibernation on this chilly but bright day??

The Luton club members were all out with their portable track at a swapmeet trying a recruiting campaign that could benefit a few clubs.  Rockingham drivers were also noticeably absent.

But there were 13 racers keen to get on with the Production class, 6 with Falcon motors and a small majority of 7 with Super Production Wasp motors.

Production

Ian Fisher and Dave Harvey set the initial pace, but were eclipsed by Paul Harwood in the second heat with fastest run of the day, which he matched exactly later on.  As the heats progressed some drivers gradually improved their best runs – only the best of four is counted.  Ian Barker waiting until his last heat to fly, qualifying third behind Ian Fisher who had improved to be just behind Paul’s score.  Joining them in the ‘A’ final was Vince Lee.

Murray Tucker qualified fifth making him easily the fastest Falcon runner and less than a quarter lap off the ‘A’ final.  Super Production runners Dave Harvey, Brian Church and Will Stemman completed the ‘B’ finalists.

The ‘C’ final was an all Falcon affair with John Ovens, Chris Frost, Cliff Bicknell and Graham Sampson.  Unlucky 13th was Bill Jenner, bravely fitting the race in between two night shifts at work!

First of the 5 minute finals was the Clubman Production racers run.  Close to start with but with no real position changes, Cliff Bicknell took a two lap victory from Graham, himself two ahead of Bill.

Next the overall ‘C’ final.  Some good close racing, again Cliff kept things on the island much better than in the heats gradually pulling away to win with 60 laps.  John Ovens was one behind and there was just a lap back to Chris Frost and another to Graham.

Murray Tucker’s 5th place in qualifying had already given him maximum Falcon Masters score, could he maintain his pace against 3 Wasps?  Well to start with, no.  Dave Harvey led away with Murray second then Brian and Will in a close battle for 3rd that continued all race.  But with about a minute to go, Dave had a few offs, some not of his own making and that let Murray through to take the win with his Falcon car and 5th overall, although curiously with all that Wasp competition, no faster than Cliff had been in the ‘C’ final.

The ‘A’ final ran true to form, Paul getting a superb start to lead from Ian F who kept in close company for quite a while until falling away as they lapped the others.  Then in the last couple of minutes Ian Barker seemed to be on fire, lapping fastest of everyone and catching Ian F quite quickly but then falling off twice when a position change looked inevitable.  Time ran out with Paul comfortably 1st, Ian F still 2nd, then Ian B and Vince on the slightly more difficult blue lane.

Tech-wise, Paul ran a Koford motor, the next two ran Proslots, all using JK chassis.

As the race went on, the track rubbered in and the cars got to optimum tyre size, so the lap scores got quicker.  Paul Harwood set a fastest 208 followed by Will now right on the pace with 207 making them the fastest duo in the second half.  This pulled them ahead of Impunity by the finish, with Impunity also having a fast 206 lap run but then needing to stop briefly to change a stripped gear after meeting with someone else’s collision.  ECES matched Paul’s best time right at the end and lost only very few laps overall so had a comfortable win.

Impunity held an easy 3rd, from Gtech, Perishers and GT.

Interestingly both the quickest runs were done on the unfavoured blue lane.  The winning car, from Dave’s stable was a recent type Mack chassis with a Koford G12 armature in Proslot set up.

Thanks to everyone who came along to an enjoyable and good natured day’s racing and to John Ovens for the refreshments.

Hope to see lots of S32 racers new and old at the next round at Rockingham – nicely located for most of you who missed out getting to North London!

Ian Fisher

The A Final cars -
 All Super Production

The Winning Chassis  .
   Paul - Super Production                                 Murray - Falcon Masters                 Cliff - Falcon Clubman                               Dave & Ian - Le Mans 32