Heinrich wins, Johnson takes TCM title in Bowe farewell

By Thomas Miles

Date posted: November 26, 2023

Joel Heinrich continued his perfect Touring Cars Masters record in SA in 2023, while Steven Johnson became champion and a former John Bowe said farewell.

The final race of the year on the streets of Adelaide proved to be an anticlimax as some turn 8 drama cut it short.

Bowe started his final TCM race as a full time driver in someone else’s car due to a selfless act from Jim Pollicina.

After discovering an issue in his Rare Spares Holden A9X Torana that would have prevented him from starting the finale.

However, Pollicina offered to sacrifice his own #7 A9X Hatch to ensure the six-time champion could do one last race.

Bowe would make up some ground on the opening lap to cross the line ninth and say ‘ciao for now’.

“Last night my team from Ravage Raceworks found an issue with my Rare Spares Torana A9X, which will prevent it from starting today’s final TCM race,” Bowe wrote on social media.

“But Jim Pollicina has offered me his A9X Hatch to drive in my final TCM race! What an incredible gesture by an amazing bloke!I am so touched by this!

“Jim is part of the Ravage Raceworks team and a really versatile racer, but this is way beyond the call of duty! Thank you.”

The start was delayed due to the Ian Price Escort being unable to get off the grid.

When it arrived the heat was on with Heinrich on the outside and hopping over the Senna Chicane kerbs in an exciting fight for the lead.

He and Hansford were still side by side by the time they approached turn 5 where the #6 Torana finally got the job done.

Behind them championship leader Steven Johnson settled into a safe third while Bowe up 2 spots on the opening lap.

Hansford’s lead only lasted a lap as it all came undone with a costly mistake and wild moment at turn 8.

The reigning champion was too greedy with the kerb at the fast left hander, which sent the #6 Torana airborne.

Despite still swiping the infamous outside wall, amazingly Hansford managed to stop his bouncing and sliding Torana from a race-ending crash.

He gathered it back up to keep on racing with slight left hand rear damage and only lost six spots.

However, Colin Meadows was unable to survive his own crash at turn 8.

Meadows made the identical mistake to Hansford, but the #104 Chevrolet Camaro whacked the concrete side on heavily and came to a rest halfway down the Brabham Straight.

Down at turn 9 the #17 Hagen Zerk also came to a stop, ensuring the Safety Car was out for an extended period of time.

This brought the race to an early end and confirmed Heinrich’s victory and Johnson’s championship.

Image: RACE PROJECT

Touring Car Masters race 3 results

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