The Bournemouth meeting was held on 22 October, it was good to welcome visitors from Timaru, Luton and Netley clubs.

The meeting was originally  scheduled for 26 March but was postponed when the organisers all tested positive for COVID a few days before the March meeting date.

Red lane proved the best in the 3 minute qualifying runs, with only 3 drivers setting their best time on anything else.  Paul Harwood was top with his Super Production ahead of Mark Witham with a Genesis and Mickey Ovens’ super.   Mark Hammond was the top clubman qualifier.  

In the clubman final Hark Hammond and Barry Gilzean were very evenly matched running within a few feet of one another till well past half way, but a couple of offs from Barry left Mark with nearly a laps lead.

That leaves Bill Jenner leading the clubman championship with Barry Gilzean in with a strong chance of taking  the title with a result at the final round.

In the overall finals, Mark Ellis won the C from Steve Rouse, the Timaru pair were the only drivers on their first visit to the track.
In the B final Mark Hammond and Barry Gilzean were again very evenly matched, both went quicker than in the clubman final, this time Mark won by just  two tenths of a lap.
The top final saw Paul Harwood lead most of the way with Mickey Ovens second with the only other super Wasp.  Chris Frost won Hawk Masters with third overall.

Today’s win makes Paul Harwood overall Southern 32 champion for the 3rd year running.  Nick Thrower is leading the Hawk Masters class, but  Barry Gilzean could take the title with a  good result at the final round.

Southern 32 - 2023

The series for you!

 Bournemouth 22 October  

Paul Harwood’s winning car

Le Mans 32 Team race

Gomboslot and Luton ran group 12 motors, the other 3 teams used Hawk power.   The Paul and Mickey’s team chose to run as the Ovens family Gomboslot team rather than Harwood Racing.  
Gombo were quickest in the first 3 segments giving them a 30 lap lead over Luton while GT was the top Hawk runner.    Gumbo’s car slowed in the final segment and succumbed to gear failure a few laps from the end, but still won by 16 laps.    Luton took second some 7 laps ahead of GT. Netley took 4th ahead of Dudella.

The overall championship will be decided by the final round at the National Centre in November.   So far only 2 teams have 5 results, but there are several with 4 results who have a good chance of taking the title if they do well at Corby.   Both Gomboslot and Harwood Racing have done 4 rounds with two wins each, so will be best placed to take the championship.
GT have won the Hawk class of the championship with a round to spare, Dudella are now second in class.

Le Mans 32 cars

Gomboslot won despite their gear stripping just before the end of the race

The winning Gomboslot team.

Paul and Mickey also finished 1-2 in the individuals

© Copyright British Slot Car Racing Association 2023 Photos copyright C.Frost All rights reserved