The Madman Writes - 16th May 2009
New formulas are like buses. You wait for ages then two come along at once. Tonight at the Racewall sees the debut in Scotland of the Lightning Rods, whilst, on Wednesday at Knockhill, the legends, make their short circuit debut as the Summer series up there commences.
The Lightning Rods have the potential to be one of the top formulas in Scotland as they have big fields of cars all over the UK. Drivers who race in the over subscribed Prostox formula may well see it as a better option to get regular racing and take their cars home in one piece as the formula is non contact. I have seen them races on a few occasions down south and the racing is always close and keenly contested. There might not be the biggest field of cars here to night but the word I used in the first sentence of this paragraph is the key - potential. Back in the 80’s a then little known formula called Stock Rods made their Scottish debut. Four cars at the first meeting. Two years later and the numbers were on a par to what we see racing today and quickly became popular with the fans. Give it a chance. Big oak trees from little acorns grow. In a couple of years time it would be nice to think things will have progressed the same way. Time will tell.
This Wednesday at 6pm sees the start of the Summer series at Knockhill with Brisca F2’s, Stock Rods, Hot Rods, and Knockhill Legends in action. I cannot profess to knowing much about the Legends at all having only seen them once racing round the full Knockhill circuit. Former Stock Rod star, John Higgins has made a big name for himself nationally in the formula and won the British championship last year. The formula has plenty of coverage on the satellite channels and had having had a look at the blurb on the Knockhill website there seems to be a lot of cars which should make for a lot of fun.
Last weekend GMP ran demonstration races during the Scottish Motor Fair up there in order to promote the forthcoming stock car fixtures up there. Sunday’s action was alright from all accounts but Saturday was a wash out with heavy rain for much of the day. The officials arrived at the Racewall looking like Drookit Dugs. Ironically the weather changed before the stock cars started and the track quickly dried out for some good fast action. A few English visitors bolstered the F2 fields as the World qualifier was being held at Grimond last Sunday. Most disappointed driver was Mickey Brennan as the car was not in a fit state to make the trip North the next day. Chris Burgoyne and John Fortune looked as if they had suffered the same fate but some midnight oil from the teams saw them taking their place on the grid. World champion, Ian Thompson, drove a superb race last Saturday to come from last to first and win an enthralling final. He kept his good form going at Grimond the next day with a third in the World qualifier up there which was won in good style by Chris Burgoyne. My colleague, Scott Keith, reckoned that was his 50th final in the formula so joining a small but elite band who have achieved that feat. Robbie Dawson picked up some more useful points by finishing second and then went onto win the Grand National in his ‘Wingless Wonder’ which meant that I had egg on my face as I laughed at the idea that the car would be competitive enough to win races without the aid of aerodynamics.
Another star was found in the Saloons last week when Scott Ruxton took a hat-trick of successes. Scott is a top driver in the formula up at Crimond but as it is the first time he has raced under the national banner is entitled to start as a white grader. There was a magic moment in the first heat when his buddy, Ally Strachan, was forced out and was watching from the centre green, and drove every lap with him out on the track. I don’t know who was more jubilant afterwards, Scott or Ally.
Finally, I am sure that I seen an apparition at Crimond last Sunday as fellow scribe, Jim Turner, made a rare excursion out of Fife to survey the scene at the North East venue. Normally, someone at Crimond contacts him with the news and he makes up his report for all the various magazines (ooops giving away your secrets Jim). He has now discovered that his bus pass extends further than Cowdenbeath!! Hopefully, will see you at Knockhill on Wednesday, if not back here at the Racewall next Saturday night. Meantime, sit back and let the action commence.