DOUGLAS Bowkett from Painscastle and the Excool Open sportscar series headed to Rockingham motor speedway at Corby for rounds four, five and six of the championship.
Doug missed the first three rounds at Silverstone after having to rebuild the car after a high speed off in last year’s championship, so Rockingham was to be a test of his rebuild skills on his maiden visit to the circuit.
The weekend didn’t start well with timing issues in qualifying leaving him start the first race in 18th place out of 27 starters in his Jade 2 Crysler powered car.
With Duncan Williams taking an almost lights to flag victory in his Juno, Mike Jenvey with his Jenvey Gunn second and Joe Stables third in his Radical. Doug battled his way up through the field, reaching as high as ninth before having to retire with brake issues.
After working hard to resolve the issue Saturday night with the help of Henry Nickless of Chiron world sports cars, Doug was to start from the last place on the grid (21st )whilst at the front Graham Cole in his Jade traxstar led the field for the rolling start.
Doug made up five places on his first lap before having a race long battle with Eamon Matheson, Doug Carter and Paul Spencer but eventually Doug headed the group to finish seventh overall and second in his class. Graham Cole was never headed the entire race and took the overall win and class A honours, Mike Jenvey second and Joe Stables third.
Race three’s starting positions were decided by the race two’s results so Doug started seventh with Eamon Matheson right behind him.
With drizzle in the air and after a safety car period, the battle at the front was between Josh Smith (Radical), Mike Jenvey, Craig Mitchell (Ligier ) and Joe Stables. Again Doug was caught in close battle, this time for fifth with Graham Hill (Radical), Darcy Smith (Radical) And Eamon Matheson.
With time running out, Doug made an ambitious move with late braking into the last corner and managed to pass all three.
He managed to hold on to the position for the final two laps, finishing the weekend off with fifth overall, first in class, fastest class lap and driver of the race.
At the front, Stables crossed the line first but after the race the stewards handed him a five second penalty giving Josh Smith the overall win with Mike Jenvey finishing another second and Craig Mitchell claiming third.
Doug will next compete at Brands Hatch for rounds seven, eight and nine on July 9 and 10.
The championship can be followed on : Facebook- BRSCC OSS Championship; Motors TV- Brands hatch August 5 -18:23; YouTube -Downforce channel.