Boughen's Clipsal 500 hampered by brake issues

Allen Boughen has returned disappointed from Adelaide's Clipsal 500 after brake issues held him back

Allen Boughen from Traveston in his V8 touring car heading to Bathurst. Picture: Renee Albrecht

ALLEN Boughen was heading into his final lap of Adelaide's Clipsal 500 well placed when suddenly he and his 1964 Mercury Comet faced the wrong way.

A rival competitor clipped and spun him around just as he rounded the corner into the straight of his third and final race.

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Boughen was placed high in the group, fourth or fifth, and was primed for a nail biting finish before the crash.

He finished tenth in that third and final race in Adelaide. A disappointing end following a Did Not Finish (DNF) in the first race, due to a fuel pump switch, and a mid-pack finish in the second race.

"I ran in fourth or fifth when another competitor punted me off and I got turned around.

"It was a bomb dive on the inside coming down the straight.

"It was still a great experience,” Boughen mused.

Allen Boughen's 1964 Mercury Comet.

Boughen rebuilt his 1964 Mercury Comet after buying it more than 10 years ago. He has been playing with cars for around four decades, most of that time spent behind the steering wheel.

"I started circuit racing in the 90s. I wouldn't go any other way. I love it.”

The Mercury Comet Boughen is racing experienced a few difficulties during the race in Adelaide. Issues with braking meant the car had to follow a tight line through the corners.

"Corner speed we were lacking because of brake issues.

"It will be rectified by the next race. I'm looking forward to getting it set up for Winton.”

With a long history of racing, Boughen has decided to enter into all seven of this year's Touring Car Masters competitions, which follows the V8 Supercar tour.

After the first round in Adelaide earlier this month, Boughen will head to Winton (Victoria) on May 19, then Darwin, Queensland Raceway (Ipswich), Sandown (Melbourne), Bathurst, and finally Newcastle.

Boughen said he will improve his competitiveness with upgrades and fine tuning to his Mercury Comet, which is being worked on now.

"The Touring Class Masters is the highest profile category in vintage motorsport racing.”

Entrants race a range of makes and models from XY Falcons, Taranas, Mustangs to Porsches and AMC Javelins.

"It's a beautiful sport, I just love these old muscle cars. They're better than anything they make today,” Boughen said.