The Madman Writes - 8th August 2009
If you like a bit of fun at the stock cars, then tonight is the night for you. We have the return of the Reliant Robins for their Scottish championship. It was just 12 months ago that they made their Racewall debut and had everyone amazed by their antics. Tay FM breakfast jock, Stuart Webster, had a shot in them and spread the word big time. One year on, we should have at least 20 cars on the grid. It is amazing how drivers find the cars to race as think about the last time you seen one on the road. Even with my long memory it must be a good few years ago. Don’t take them seriously. They are only here for a bit of fun and we should see some of the top drivers from the other formulas letting their hair down. The things can fairly go a bit as promoter David Borthwick was out run by one in his BMW down at Skegness last month!
Last week saw the GP Midgets in Scotland. Despite only 9 drivers making the trip they put on a good display which hopefully should see them become an annual fixture at the Racewall. The formula, like so many of the fringe formulas down the years has suffered from lack of cars and now they race as a circus and are always looking for venues to race at. The final was shaping up to be a good showdown between Gordon Pooley and Mark Hodges before Gordon was forced to pull off in the closing stages handing the win to Mark. The drivers all enjoyed themselves and asked to thank all the people here who made them feel so welcome.
Elsewhere, there were a lot of Scottish drivers racing down south last weekend with big meetings at Taunton and Hednesford. F2 European champion, Gordon Moodie, went down to get a bit of practise before the World semi-finals later in the month and added yet another trophy to his haul this year by winning the Ben Fund championship. It all bodes well for keeping his World final aspirations on track. Scottish Champion, David Polley meantime headed in the opposite in search of some more points to consolidate his lead at the top of the National points chart. He got a good haul with three second places to show for his efforts including in the final behind Robbie Dawson who won his first final of the season from the superstar grade. At Crimond last Sunday, Graham Kelly, had his shortest down grading time ever as he started the month as a blue roof and promptly won the final which will see him back up amongst the stars once again.
The Saloon European was also held down at Taunton which went the way of up and coming star Todd Jones. Frankie Cunningham was the best of the Scots in 5th with Gordon Alexander and Chris Lattka also in the top 10. They are back in action tonight with another round in the Whites and Yellows series.
Hednesford staged the Nationals for the Stock Rods and National Hot Rods. David Philp took an easy success in the Stock Rod one having done all the hard work in the qualifying heats. Robert McDonald led Kerr Paterson over the line in the meeting final and the prospect of the Gold roof coming back to Scotland when the World is staged here next month must be good. National Hot Rod World champion, Carl Boardley, added the National title to his haul this year with like David, doing the hard work in the heats. He was made to work for his honours though as John Christie kept tabs on him throughout the race and was only a couple of car lengths behind at the flag.
Other things of note last weekend was the retirement for a while for F2 star Gary Coffey who went out on a high by winning the Grand National up at Crimond. Gary is going to have an operation on his neck which will keep him out of the sport for around a year and thanked everyone for their support whilst he raced. Congratulations to Ministocker, Ross Watters, who has won the Crimond track championship with three point scoring meetings to spare having moved into a 96 point lead after last Sunday where his two victories included winning the Barry Daly Shield.
It was good to see Kevin Morrison back in winning ways after his return from injury with victories at the Racewall and Crimond. Next week sees the Prostox having their Scottish championship which should see the pits bursting with cars with Tam Linden defending his title. Until then, sit back and let the action commence.