 |
Archive 2008/9
29/12/09: With sadness and regret, we have to announce that our good friend "Mad Jock" will no longer be able to contribute his excellent work covering the Hot Rod scene in Scotland.
He has been single-handedly keeping Scottish Rods in a prominent position on nationalhotrod.com, for the last five years, and it has been solely down to his hard work and enthusiasm for the class there, that we've been able to all keep abreast of the Scottish Rods.
We would like to publicly thank MJ for the last five years work, and wish him all the best for the future.
2009 Scottish news & reports by Mad Jock
Photos by GM Photos
Archive 2007, 2006, 2005 HERE
Cowdie – 01/11/09 - and 2009 Season Summary
Mad Jock reports: The Scottish Rod season finished where it began, as the formula made its 35th and final appearance of 2009 at Cowdenbeath. Willie Hill left it as late as possible in the season to return to the sport after a few years away using the Karl Prices 206, and become the 42nd driver to race in the formula in Scotland during 2009. The season was seen out with a 9 car grid on an afternoon that the weather did racing no favours.
Heat 1 saw Barry Nelson leading for the opening lap before Derek Connor took over in the ex-Donaldson 205. Connor’s main challenge came from Donaldson’s 206, with keen competition for third. Thee top 3 was made up at various times by Bonnar, Norrie, Chesher and McDonald, with eventually Norrie gaining the advantage as he went after the leading pair. Around two-thirds distance Donaldson got the better of his previous property to take over the lead, which he wasn’t to subsequently lose. Rab Norrie looked to be completing the top three until - with one to go - the Peugeot was gone, attempting to go round the Connor 205. Norrie ended in the concrete, leaving Jason McDonald to pick up third.
Result – 700 (Ian Donaldson) – 172 – 387 –88-7-118,
The second heat saw 8 cars make the grid with Derek Connor stepping off the line into an immediate lead, it was a lead he was to keep until two-thirds distance when Ian Donaldson took over. In the final few laps Ian McGuigan took over in third with McVay, Chesher and Nelson being the only other three to complete the distance.
Result – 700 – (Ian Donaldson) –172-7-88-662-118
The final race of 2009 for the Rods saw just 5 cars come to the grid.. Derek Connor again led over the early part of the race, on this occasion leading until about a third of the distance. Ian Donaldson then took over, looking for the hat trick, whilst around half distance Barry Nelson left the race leaving just four runners. On this occasion Ian McGuigan couldn’t find a way past Derek Connor and had to settle for third, with Pete McVay being the only other finisher. It was however, a fight all the way to the flag for Ian Donaldson as Connor never let up in the chase and the two crossed the line in close formation; Ian getting the flag by a small margin.
Result – 700 (Ian Donaldson) – 172-7-88.
The 2009 Scottish season therefore saw the largest number of Rods to race in a single season for many years, with forty-two drivers taking to the track during the year (some inevitably were seen more than others). However, the age-old Scottish problem persisted in getting the cars in large quantity to the same track for the same meeting.
GMP fixtures generally saw the grid at around the twelve/thirteen mark, whilst Crimond typically saw grids in single figures - particularly in the latter part of the season where numbers fell to very low levels.
The Cowdie track Championship went to Stu Walker still campaigning his elderly Clio and its consistency over the year brought Stu the points title.
Knockhill returned to the fixture list with seven fixtures and seemed to attract the travellers, and therefore often the largest grids, despite most Knockhill dates being midweek. Frequently Scottish Hot Rods (like English F2s) that can’t for some reason make Cowdie on a Saturday night, manage to turn up at the tri-oval for a 6pm Wednesday start!
At Crimond, John Buchan claimed the points championship as he has many times before, along with the Crimond Open Scottish title. The 2010 season now beckons for the Scottish Hot Rods with overall numbers on a record high, even if individual grids aren’t! A new track hopefully is on the horizon as the Lochgelly Motorsport Complex offers the formula and the sport the country’s first ever custom built oval racing facility.
2009 Roll of Honour
Outlaw Gold Roof - Billy Bonnar
Scottish Champion – Billy Bonnar
Track Champions
Cowdie - Stu Walker
Crimond – John Buchan
Knockhill - James Jamieson
Open Scottish Champions
GMP – James Jamieson
Crimond – John Buchan Mad Jock
Cowdie – Hot Rod Scottish Championship – 03/10/09
Mad Jock reports: On a blustery night the Scottish Rods arrived at the Fife venue to contest the 40th running of the Scottish Championship.(inc. Newtongrange). Perhaps disappointingly just twelve cars showed for the meeting and very, very surprisingly, that total did not include JJ as the defending champion’s blue Tigra was nowhere to be seen, meaning yet again the Saltire was going to find a new roof - with the title still to be successfully defended! The meeting format was the title race followed by two further races, which were labelled heats.
The championship race got underway with Ron Mac grabbing an early lead from Jason McDonald, although it was only to be a couple of laps before Graeme Callendar relieved McDonald of second. Billy Bonnar was making good progress from his mid-grid start, and the gold Tigra went second at around a quarter distance (having made good use of the outside line) and it was to be on lap 8 that Bonnar took over from the Honda. Ron Mac left the race at this point, leaving Graeme Callendar and Stuart Walker to chase the gold Tigra. The order was to remain Bonnar – Callendar – Walker until the closing stages, when with about 5 to go, Walker took over in second.
That was to be the finishing order as Bonnar completed the remaining laps to become the 28th Scottish Hot Rod Champion, 19 years after his late dad won the same title. It was a title win that few if any would dispute as little more than his effort, commitment, and perhaps more than his fair share of bad luck down the years, deserved.
Scottish Championship Result
844 (Billy Bonnar) – 54- 871-387-662-7-700
The second race of the evening was classified as heat 1 and Gordon Murray chose to use it to make a late seasonal debut and become the 41st driver to race in 2009. Derek Connor made the early running as he led over the first few laps in the ex-Sandy Allen Fiesta. Inevitably more modern machinery would make its appearance up front, and it was Jason McDonald in the ex -JJ VW that took over 4 laps later. It was a lead that Jason was never to surrender as he held off the challenge from Graeme Callendar and Stuart Walker, with the new Scottish Champion back in fourth.
Result – 387 (Jason McDonald) 871-54-844-700-7-172-3
The final race of the night (heat 2) saw newcomer Derek Connor take the early lead and hold that lead past one-third distance, before Bonnar took over for a single lap. A lap later Graeme Callendar - who had chased the leader hard in both previous races of the evening - was in front, with Ian McDonald for company. At the same time, Ian McGuigan went third. That was to be how the finished in a close 1-2-3, as Callendar - by about a car length - led Donaldson over the line, with Ian McGuigan an equally close third to complete the meeting
Result – 871 (Graeme Callender) 700 – 7-54-172-3-118
Crimond concludes its 2009 season this Sunday, and the Rods have one further outing with GMP on November 1. Mad Jock
Crimond – 27/09/09
Mad Jock reports: Sunday was sadly another meeting with the Rods very short in numbers; only four coming to the grid at Crimond. Those getting the credit for being there being John Buchan #300, James Gray #302, Stuart Cowie #307 and Jason McDonald #387.
With numbers unquestionably on the low side, the same couldn’t be said about the quality of the cars on the grid, as all four remain top line machines.
The results weren’t going to surprise anyone as John Buchan - who has done more Hot Rod laps round Crimond than anyone else - took both heats, followed home by James Gray in the first and Stuart Cowie in the second. Stuart Cowie however turned the tables to win the final.
Heat 1 - 300 (John Buchan) – 302-387-307
Heat 2 – 300 – 307-387-302
Final - 307 (Stuart Cowie) – 300 – 387 – 302
This coming Saturday sees the Hot Rods make their last journey in 2009 to Cowdie for the running of the Scottish Hot Rod Championship (is October the correct time of year for this event?). Hopefully a decent field assembles as JJ attempts to successfully defend his Scottish title. The stats however, may on this occasion be against JJ in his attempt to successfully keep the Saltire on his roof for another year. Les Kay (#64/864) won the first Scottish Championship event back in 1973, then like others went on to win the title again in subsequent years. However, no driver to date has done two Scottish Championships in a row. Can JJ be the first driver to successfully defend the Scottish Hot Rod Championship, since Les won the first back in 1973? Mad Jock
Cowdie/Knockhill – September 19/20
Hot Rod World Cup and (GMP) Open Scottish Champ.
Mad Jock reports: Cowdie was the venue for day one of the weekend and the running of the 2009 Outlaw World Cup. JJ was on hand to defend his Outlaw gold roof as the Scottish rods made their thirtieth appearance of the domestic season. A decent field of Hot Rods assembled at Cowdie for the World Cup with the format being two heats and championship final.
The first heat was to see a Scottish top three, although England weren’t out the frame with a couple of top 10 finishers. David Newall was to claim the first victory of the weekend as he led home Stu Walker and JJ. Heat 2 saw the grid reversed from the earlier heat and this time it was another Scottish victory as Billy Bonnar claimed the spoils leading home a Tigra quartet, as JJ, Carter and McGuigan followed the gold Tigra.
Result Heat 1 - 601 ( David Newall) 54; 305; 844; 136; 662; 97; 85; 871; 387
Result Heat 2 – 844 (Billy Bonnar) 305; 85; 7; 16; 601; 97; 172; 700; 871.
The World cup saw JJ set off in defence of his title with a quality grid for company. JJ may have started the race favourite with his record round the racewall, but there were several on the grid who would give the blue Tigra a decent challenge. With decent track conditions it was a rapid pace that was set with the Vauxhalls again to the fore as heat 1 winner David Newall - in his now elderly Corsa - was unable to get on terms with the flying Tigras. A few scary moments had to be survived along the way, but these were negotiated as Bonnar kept the head for the Outlaw Gold Roof; he was followed home by JJ and Stu Carter.
Hot Rod World Cup - 844 (Billy Bonnar) 305; 601; 85; 54; 7; 136; 871; 700; 16.
Sunday, and it was over the motorway to Knockhill where the weather provided some decent conditions with the track dry and the sun making an occasional appearance.
Heat 1 didn’t get far when between turns one and two, Garry Ingram got out of shape and as a result a few behind got involved . With pieces of Kevlar lying on the track, the yellows were out for the debris. The restart didn’t last long as coming out the hairpin the lead trio of Ron Mac, Jason McDonald and Gary Ingram got involved and with the race in its early stages the pack was hard on their heels, sending Hot Rods everywhere as cars left the track in both directions, with Pete Allan coming off worse. So we tried again and at the third time of asking it was a clean race with some high speed dicing through out the field as the race went more to plan with plenty of very entertaining three-wide action on the large tri-oval. At the flag it was JJ who led home Stu Carter, and Stu Walker - getting ever more out of one of the oldest cars on the grid - brought the Clio home in third.
Result Ht 1. 305 (JJ) 85; 54; 601; 338; 333; 7; 51; 187; 387.
The second heat in its early stages was dominated by JJ and Gordon battling it out, as behind them, Carter, McGuigan, Chesher and Walker tried to stay on terms. The yellow flags then appeared, to rescue the stranded #844 Tigra from its perilous position on the inside of turn 1 where it had come to a halt. On the restart, Ron Mac and Keith Chesher had an absorbing contest with places being exchanged more than once. Back up front, it again was the battle of the Tigras, as not for the first time on the tri-oval JJ and Graeme Gordon were having another immense battle. This would continue to the line as JJ led the red Tigra home with Carter adrift in third.
Result - Ht2. 305; 338; 85; 54; 601; 7; 662; 187; 387; 172.
The Open Scottish Championship came to the grid minus Stuart Carter who was frantically trying to get the Tigra ready, and a very long wait then ensued as the lone Englishman was given a very generous period of time to get the Tigra raceworthy. After the grid had waited for nearly a quarter of an hour, the Tigra finally appeared to take its place on the front row alongside JJ. As the green went down to send the Open Scottish Championship on its way it was inevitably the two Tigras that battled for the immediate lead with JJ just holding an advantage. JJ from this point slowly but surely put daylight between himself and Carter, with Graeme Gordon making it a Tigra top three. The gap between each was never massive with a few car lengths only ever separating the flying Tigras, equally none of the three looked like they could make that last inroad to claim a further place. At the flag JJ claimed the Open Scottish title to make up for losing his gold roof the night before, from Stuart Carter, with Graeme Gordon completing the top three
Open Scottish Championship – 305 (JJ); 85; 338; 601; 844; 54; 7; 662; 172; 387.
The Scottish rods are on next week for their final competitive meeting at Crimond in 2009, before returning to Cowdie a week later where JJ will attempt to defend his Scottish Championship. Mad Jock
Crimond – Open Scottish Championship – 12-13/09/09
Mad Jock reports: The Scottish Rods appeared at Crimond over two days for the Open Scottish (Crimond) championship, where the Crimond grid was also larger than in recent weeks, even if there was unfortunately only a single GMP rod present. Ironically again, the visiting car was Scotland’s most southern-based Rod driver, Ian McGuigan.
Heat one got off the grid in perfect conditions, and Neil Buchan - back on track after missing the last two meetings - made no mistake taking his Tigra to victory in the opening heat as he led a four car train (all Tigras) over the line for the spoils. Behind Neil, Graeme Gordon claimed second spot ahead of John Buchan, who edged JJ out the top three.
Result – 301 (Neil Buchan) – 338- 300- 305 – 307-387-302-7-311
The second heat saw the Tigra domination broken at least a little as whilst John Buchan and JJ fought it out up front, Jason McDonald (VW) and Stuart Cowie (Corsa) claimed third and fourth, leaving the Tigras of Buchan and Gordon to complete the top six.
Result – 300 (John Buchan) – 305 – 387-307-301-338-302-7
Onto Sunday, and the third heat was to see the second victory of the weekend for the #301 Tigra, which was chased over the line by Graeme Gordon as JJ made up the top three.
Result – 301 - 338 – 305- 307-300-7-333-387
The final heat saw John Buchan take his second victory of the weekend, as he edged out JJ to claim the last qualifying win. Graeme Gordon had a fairly easy run for third as Neil Buchan’s brakes called it a day, dropping the Tigra down the order. Jason McDonald again edged out Stuart Cowie, with James Main and Ian McGuigan for close company, Neil Buchan and Garry Ingram completed the runners.
Result – 300- 305-338-387-307-302-7-301-333
The 2009 Open Scottish Championship saw John Buchan and Graeme Gordon line up on the front row, with Neil Buchan and JJ occupying row two, and it always looked like the winner would come from these grid spots.. It was indeed the expected four that made most of the running, with the battle between JJ, Buchan and Gordon particularly absorbing. At the flag it was John Buchan winning the title along with the Tigra battle, as the first four home were all hard charging Vauxhalls. Second to fourth (JJ, Gordon and N Buchan) finished bumper to bumper.
Open Scottish Hot Rod (Crimond) Championship 2009
300 (John Buchan) – 305-301-338 – 387 – 307 302- 7
The Scottish Rods are next on track this coming weekend for another double date. On Saturday, JJ defends his Outlaw gold roof at Cowdie, and then on Sunday it’s over the motorway as the Rods make their final visit in 2009 to the Knockhill tri-oval for the Open Scottish (GMP) Championship. Mad Jock
Cowdie – 05/09/09
Mad Jock reports: Into the latter stages of the season now, but new blood continues to arrive in the formula with three new entries as the Rods returned to Cowdie for the 27th fixture for the formula in 2009, swelling the total cars to eleven..
The new entries to make the grid were #100 Wayne Henry, using one of Rab Norrie’s cars, whilst Derek Connor gridded in the Donaldson 205 using #70 (despite that number already used earlier this year by Donaldson jr.). The third new entry was Barry Nelson #118, in the former Sandy Allen Fiesta, Barry being the fortieth driver this year to race a Hot Rod in Scotland.
Heat 1 saw Ron Mac briefly lead before Keith Chesher - now with 16v under the bonnet - took over. Ian Donaldson then took over in second. JJ appeared in third around one-third distance, until his race - along with Donaldson’s - ended as the race entered its closing laps. At the flag it was Keith Chesher taking his first victory since his return, as he led McGuigan over the line by not much more than a car length, with Ron Mac completing the top 3.
Result – 662 (Keith Chesher) –7-187-54-70-3-307-118
Heat 2 saw McGuigan, Chesher and Ron Mac get off the line to lead the early laps before around a quarter distance Keith Chesher took over. From there to the chequer the running order up front was to remain Chesher – McGuigan – Mac. Keith Chesher took the flag for his second victory of the night, with Ian McGuigan for close company and Ron Mac a distant third.
Result – 662 – 7-187-54-70-100-307-118
The final was for the Turner Trophy and Keith Chesher was looking for a hat-trick. Keith’s closest challenge all night had come from McGuigan, and on this occasion it was to be his orange Tigra that launched off the line to lead the final away with Keith Chesher for company and Stuart Walker occupying third. The rest of the race wasn’t to see the running order up front change, with McGuigan and Chesher both looking for the victory as Walker became a distant third. At the line, that was to be the top 3 finish for the Turner Trophy.
Result – 7 (Ian McGuigan) – 662- 54 – 70-100-187-3
The Scottish Rods return to track this weekend at Crimond. Mad Jock
Crimond – 30/08/09
Mad Jock reports: Again, not the biggest grid, and only six cars lined up for heat 1. Most probably expected the race to be fought out between Graeme Gordon and John Buchan and they weren’t to be disappointed. On this occasion it was Graeme Gordon who led the charge to the flag, with Buchan following, and Gary Ingram completing the top three.
Result – 338 (Graeme Gordon) 300 – 333 – 307- 302 – 311
Heat 2 was probably expected to be a re-run of the earlier race, however it was to be nether of the two Tigras that would take the race. Having finished fourth in the earlier race, Stuart Cowie was to go three places better in his Corsa, leading the two Tigras home.
Result – 307 (Stuart Cowie) – 338 – 300 – 333 – 302 – 311
The final returned to the duel between John Buchan and Graeme Gordon, with Buchan on this occasion reversing the one-two from heat 1, with Garry Ingram completing the top three in his BMW Mini.
Result – 300 (John Buchan) – 338 – 333 – 307- 302
The Scottish Rods are next on track over the weekend of 12/13 September, for Crimond’s second speed weekend of the year - where the (Crimond) Open Scottish Championship will be contested.
A week later they have another double date as GMP stage the Hot Rod World Cup and the (GMP) Open Scottish Championship; Cowdie being the venue for the World Cup, before everyone moves to Knockhill on Sunday. Mad Jock
Cowdie and Knockhill 22nd & 26th August.
Mad Jock reports: The Rods next appearance on track was at Cowdie for the two-seater event which was all about raising money for the Childrens Hospice Assoc Scotland (C.H.A.S.). Six rods raced, three carrying a passenger each time, and the day’s events raised a substantial amount of money for C.H.A.S.
Four days later the Rods were back out for their 25th appearance of the year, with the final midweek meeting at Knockhill - on an evening with which the weather threatened not to co-operate. The smallish grids continued with seven cars on track, but they were to prove quantity isn’t required for quality, as they produced three very watchable races.
Heat 1 saw Ron Mac make the break on a track the Honda is known to favour, as behind Ron, two much more modern Tigras gave chase, along with Stuart Walker’s Clio and Garry Ingram’s Mini. It was the Honda, however, that showed a liking for the conditions, as the gap between it and those chasing grew. Eventually, the two Tigras broke into second and third, and did start to close the gap, but by this time the Honda was some distance away. It might not have been the Tigras that were Ron Mac’s biggest threat, as into the second half of the race, Billy Bonnar spun his Tigra down the link section with Ron Mac behind. Disaster was thankfully avoided as Billy spun onto the centre green in front of the Honda and out of harm’s way. At the chequers, it was Ron Mac’s Honda ahead of the Tigras of JJ and Gordon.
Result – 187 (Ron Mac) – 338 – 305 – 54 – 662 – 333 – 844
Heat 2 saw another battle between the Tigras of Gordon and JJ with Gordon leading for a substantial distance. As the two Tigras had an absorbing tussle, equally some distance behind, Ron Mac and Stuart Walker were having their own equally hard fought contest for the placings. Once again, the biggest threat to the field was the sight of #844 spinning his way down and across the track on the link section, this time Stuart Walker doing well to miss the revolving #844 Tigra.
Result – 305 (JJ) 338 – 333 – 187 – 844 – 54 – 662
Final time, and with darkness descending the mist and rain arrived again to make it more interesting. Through the gloom JJ had perhaps the easiest run to victory of the night, although Graeme Gordon never lost sight of the blue Tigra. Ron Mac led the pack home with Billy Bonnar and Keith Chesher for close company.
Result – 305-338-187-844-662- 54
The Scottish Rods are next on track this Sunday at Crimond. Mad Jock
Cowdenbeath 15/08/09 AND Crimond 16/08/09
Mad Jock reports: Cowdie was the venue for the first meeting of the weekend and saw a low turnout with just seven cars making it. No particular reason was apparent for the turnout crashing to single figures.
Both heats saw wins for Ian McGuigan - getting the best out of his Tigra to date. Ian Donaldson, back in the 205 in preference to the 206, was to chase Ian home in the opener. Heat 2 was minus Craig McLaren whose meeting was run, leaving McGuigan to pick up his second victory with the finishing order behind Ian largely as heat 1. The final saw Graeme Callender swap Hoosiers for Avons after struggling in the heats. On the green flag McGuigan didn’t help his cause of looking for a hat-trick by sleeping on the line… At the flag it was Graeme Callender, suggesting his tyre swap was worthwhile, leading home Walker and Donaldson.
Heat 1 – 7 (Ian McGuigan) – 700 – 54 –187 –871 – 3
Heat 2 – 7-700-54-187-871
Final – 871 (Graeme Callender) 54-700-7-187-3
Sunday, and it was onto Crimond, where unfortunately after the seven car turnout the night before, numbers slumped further with just four cars arriving. In the circumstances it wasn’t a surprise that many-time track champion John Buchan enjoyed a clean sweep, chased home each time by Gary Ingram’s BMW Mini, James Main and Chick Laing being the other two cars on the grid.
Heat 1 – 300 (John Buchan) – 333-302-311- n.o.f
Heat 2 – 300-333-311-302
Final – 300 – 333 - 302
After a weekend of disappointing grids, the Scottish Rods are next on track Saturday at Cowdie. Mad Jock
Crimond 02/08/09
Mad Jock reports: Crimond was the venue for the Scottish Rods 21st date in 2009, and unfortunately another low grid at the UK’s perhaps most remote track - holidays may again have been a factor in bringing about the small grid.
There were just five cars present, all of which were home-based. Heat 1 saw Eddie Schrader (323) gets off to the best start and pull out a big lead with John Buchan (300) following. Schrader’s SLK had some noticeable tyre smoke from rear suspension damage and as a result Eddie was black-flagged. Chick Laing then pulled the Clio from the race with engine failure, leaving just three cars, which finished in the order of J.Buchan, Cowie and Gray.
Result- 300 (John Buchan) – 307 - 302.
Heat 2 saw four cars on grid, with the SLK restored to health. The early action saw Schrader get off to another good start, but then, in attempting to take the early lead, went wide and out the running, before rejoining adrift of the rest. With John Buchan out in front, it was an easy victory for John as Gray, Cowie and Schrader chased John home.
Result – 300 – 302-307-323
The final saw Buchan and Schrader side by side until they came to pass James Gray; the #302 CC at that point dramatically slowed, allowing Buchan an outside route and the lead. Schrader also found a way past the CC, and then the Clio of Cowie, for the running order at the chequers to be Buchan, completing his hat-track, with Schrader, Cowie and Gray following.
Result - 300, 323, 307, 302
The Scottish Rods are next on track in two weeks, doing Cowdie on Saturday night before Crimond on Sunday. Mad Jock (With thanks to Eddie)
Crimond 20/07/09 and Knockhill 23/07/09
Mad Jock reports: Crimond saw the first of this week’s meetings for the Scottish Rods, unfortunately perhaps with some off on holiday, the grid was on the low side with just five cars making it.
Heat 1 saw Neil Buchan get away off the front with Eddie Schrader and John Buchan for company. With Neil Buchan out in front Schrader and John Buchan found a way past Stuart Cowie and James Gray. Whilst this was going on Neil Buchan stretched his lead as 323 and 300 fought it out for second with Eddie Schrader collecting second and John Buchan third.
Result – 301 (Neil Buchan) 323, 300, 307, 302.
Heat 2 again saw the blue Tigra launch off into the lead as Schrader got past Cowie. Schrader, then on the outside of James Gray, ran very wide which allowed John Buchan to take over in second with Cowie following. At the flag this remained the order.
Result - 301, 300, 323, 307, 302.
The final brought a bit of excitement as for the first time in 2009 the Crimond climate failed and rain arrived! The grid saw four cars sitting on wets with #307 the exception as Cowie opted to run slicks- perhaps anticipating a dry line later in the race. Neil Buchan again got the early lead with Eddie Schrader mounting the challenge but unable to find a way past the Tigra. John Buchan then joined the lead pair to make it a three-way battle! With the rain off, the drying line anticipated by #307 began to appear, but by that time it was too late as Neil Buchan completed his second consecutive Crimond hat-trick.
Result - 301, 323, 300, 302, 307
Three days later the Scottish Rods were back on track as they made their fourth visit to Knockhill in 2009. The meeting menu on this occasion being Hot Rods, Stock Rods, F2s, and the circuit Legends were back to make it a four formula meeting. Former F2 driver Martin Lamb #52 made his first appearance in Scotland in probably at least 15 years winning the Legend final to make his trip worthwhile. John Sibbald #629 also returned at the wheel of a Legend, although it was a brief return as John broke it in heat 1.
Thankfully the Hot Rod grid - despite the midweek 6pm start time - more than doubled from the weekend as eleven Rods came to the grid. The Crimond contingent made up nearly 50% of the cars with JJ, Neil Buchan, Eddie Schrader, Graeme Gordon and Stuart Cowie present.
Heat 1 saw a dominant display from JJ as he launched rapidly through the field and took over the running in the early stages, never to be headed. Once out in front JJ wasn’t to be troubled - the nearest rival being Graeme Gordon. JJ’s biggest challenge perhaps on the way to the flag was avoiding Pete Allan’s spinning CC on the exit of the hairpin. Bev Norrie presumably was a victim of some contact with the rear corner pouring smoke. On this occasion Gordon couldn’t close down the blue Tigra, and Stuart Walker completed the top three.
Result – 305 (JJ) 338-54-307-7-107-301-34-3-650
Heat 2 hadn’t got far when Pete Allan became an early casualty with the CC slewing round on the exit of the hairpin and ending up in the middle of the centre green. Ian McGuigan was another early demise with an early infield trip that appeared self-inflicted. Early attention was held by Graeme Gordon and JJ battling it out with the two Tigras side by side on more than one occasion. At this point Sandy Ingram nearly became a casualty of the concrete as the BMW Mini bounced off the wall heading down the hill. Sandy managed to continue with only some rearranged panels to show for his skirmish. With Neil Buchan out in front, the question was could anyone do anything about the Tigra that had won eight in a row at Crimond? In the latter stages it was all about three Tigras as Neil was pursued by JJ and Graeme Gordon, and they finished in that order.
Result – 301 (Neil Buchan) 305 – 338-307-323- 187- 57 – 333- 650 – 7
The final is where the action happened and not always of the right variety. The three Tigras were at the centre of the battle for lead with Ron Mac also setting a decent pace in the Honda. Around halfway Eddie Schrader disappeared off at the hairpin before rejoining, and then left the track again shortly afterwards in company with Stuart Cowie. Ron Mac was then seen across the bottom straight, and with all this going on Graeme Gordon was shown the black flag, as Pete Allan’s CC went out on the back straight heading for the centre green. In the final stages it was JJ pursued latterly by Ian McGuigan - getting probably the best from the Tigra to date - with Neil Buchan keeping close company in third.
Result – 305 (JJ) 7-301-333-54-187-650
The Scottish rods are next on track at Crimond next Sunday, and don’t return to GMP territory until August 15. Mad Jock
Crimond – 4th/5th July
Mad Jock reports: 600 miles up the road from Ipswich, the ‘other’ speed weekend was in business for the “Munster Weekend”. GMP visitors to the northern outpost consisted of Scotland’s southernmost Rodder Ian McGuigan, back after a few weeks away, and Paul Wightman. Unfortunately, Jason McDonald’s bad luck continued, with his weekend over before it began.
Race 1: Gary Ingram took the early lead with the pack behind trying to get through. Neil Buchan got caught up with Paul Wightman, which allowed Eddie Schrader to take the lead. Schrader then spun, and Gordon clipped the Mini on the way past, causing damage to suspension and retirement. The race was then restarted behind the pace car. Schrader led John Buchan before contact from behind caused Schrader to spin and lose the lead. Neil Buchan made the most of the opportunity, completing the final few laps for the win.
Result – 301 (Neil Buchan), 307, 300, 323, 7, 51.
Race 2: The second race on Saturday saw a slightly smaller grid this time with 333’s weekend over. Neil Buchan got off in the lead and left Schrader, John Buchan and Gordon fighting for second place. John Buchan and Graeme Gordon then had a battle for third, which allowed Schrader to pull away in second.
Result - 301, 323, 300, 338, 307, 51, 7.
Race 3: Onto Sunday, and a smaller grid again, due to Paul Wightman not returning. Again Neil Buchan got off in the lead with Schrader in second. John Buchan and Graeme Gordon made chase once getting past Stuart Cowie.
Result - 301, 323, 300, 338, 307, 7.
Race 4: This saw for the fourth time, Neil Buchan off the line and into an early lead, with Eddie Schrader and John Buchan looking for a way past. Eddie Schrader then managed to hit the inner armco, which changed the running order, to what would be the race result, the #301 Tigra taking its fourth victory of the weekend
Result - 301, 300, 338, 307, 7, 323.
Final: The fifth race of the weekend saw just 5 cars survive to compete, with the grid lined up as 301, 300, 323, 307 and 338. All cars got off the line well, as Neil Buchan perhaps inevitably grabbed the lead to continue his domination of the weekend, and it was a lead he wasn’t to surrender. Neil completed a clean sweep of all five races over the weekend. Behind him, Graeme Gordon passed Stuart Cowie and the running order then remained unchanged to the end.
Result- 301, 300, 323, 338, 307
The Scottish Rods are next on track again at Crimond on July 19. Mad Jock (with thanks to Eddie)
Cowdie – 27/06/09
Mad Jock reports: A dry night greeted the Scottish Rods as they made their sixteenth appearance on track in 2009 - and their third in seven days. The heavy schedule along with some preparing for Ipswich and therefore not risking their cars, perhaps combined to bring about the low turn out of just six Rods, and it could have been worse if Bonnar hadn’t joined in from heat 2.
Pre-meeting saw Billy Bonnar and Willie Hardie practice, with Billy proving the quicker after both did over 40 laps, then #72 & #844 loaded up.
Heat 1 therefore saw just a five car grid comprising JJ, Ian Donaldson back in his trusty 205 after debuting his 206 at Knockhill, Pete Allan, Pete McVay and Stuart Walker. Pete McVay led over the first few laps before Ian Donaldson took over for 6 laps, then it was JJ to the flag pursued by Donaldson who never gave up the chase. Just four cars finished as Pete Allan withdrew in the latter stages with rear end damage.
Result – 305- 700- 88.- 54 –3
Heat 2 saw Billy Bonnar join the grid having unloaded the Tigra whilst Pete Allan stayed in the pits sorting the damage sustained in heat 1, so again a five car grid. Stuart Walker stepped off the line to gain the lead and it was to be a lead that Stuart was never to surrender. Pete McVay was the early challenge to Walker before on lap 7 JJ took over second place and closed the Clio down. The remainder of the race saw the best action of the evening as Walker in his Clio fought to keep JJ at bay whilst the Tigra, over the second half of the race, hounded Walker, attempting passes on either side. However when it counted at the flag it was still the orange Clio in front with JJ for immediate company.
Result – 54 –305 – 88 – 844 – 700
The final saw the largest grid of the evening with 6 cars on track; Pete Allan’s CC returned to health. Pete McVay led the final until half distance at which point JJ took over and that was a lead that he wasn’t to surrender despite the efforts of McVay and Walker as the three finished in that order.
Result 305 –88 –54 – 844- 700 –3
The three meetings over the week saw no driver do all three, with 18 of the 37 cars to race in 2009 so far appearing on track over the week. The Scottish Rods are next on track next weekend when it’s Speed Weekend at Crimond and the Rods will be in action both days. Mad Jock
Knockhill – 24/06/09
Mad Jock reports: Three days after the Crimond meeting, the Scottish Rods were back on track at Knockhill for meeting 15 of the year, with the menu on this occasion being Hot Rods, Stock Rods and F2s.
Wednesday night - with a 6pm start time - doesn’t carry the suggestion of one of the season’s best turn outs, and whilst this midweek fixture prevented some from making the meet, nevertheless it was, in the circumstances, a superb seventeen car grid.
New entries, in one of the healthiest seasons for the formula in many years, continue to arrive: tonight saw Alan Ross making his seasonal debut still driving the long serving red and yellow Starlet, Ian Donaldson debuted the former Chas Bain 206 (allowing Ian Donaldson jr to make his debut in the formula using dad’s previous 205). Jason McDonald also debuted his new Rod in the shape of the former JJ Corrado. Thus the number of drivers to have raced Hot Rods in Scotland in 2009 now standing at 37. Before the racing got underway, Willie Hardie took the opportunity to give the Merc a test session, giving many Scottish punters their first sighting of the car on track.
Heat 1 in perfect racing conditions saw fifteen Hot Rods and two Lightning Rods step off the line. Ron Mac was to make good progress in the early stages engaging in an entertaining dice with Billy Bonnar, whilst the two Tigras of JJ and Gordon were engaged in the first of their evening dices. Further up the grid a superb battle between Ron Mac and James Gray then ensued as the race entered its latter stages, and it looked like Ron Mac might hold on. The lead then swapped a couple of times before the duo arrived at the hairpin where - along with Karl Price - it all ended in tears, allowing JJ to run to the flag and claim the victory.
Result – 305 (JJ) – 844-338-54-51-387-700-114-302-187
Heat 2 proved to be as action-packed as the earlier effort. The early action was provided when James Gray, Ron Mac, Greig English and Alan Ross arrived at turn 1 with English and Gray getting tangled whilst Stuart Walker and Alan Ross waited to pick the pieces up. On this occasion Gray got sideways whilst English ended up taking a trip across the grass losing front panels as he went. The enthralling battle then continued with four-wide action the order of the day with Bonnar, Price, Ross and JJ continuing the entertainment. A few laps later it was turn 1 that again provided the action with the Rods coming up the top straight four-wide. A six-car pack headed for turn 1 with Norrie, Gray, Bonnar & Ron Mac four-wide, with Gordon and JJ immediately behind looking for a way past. It was Norrie who on this occasion was to be the unlucky one as the fourth-wide heading for turn 1 ran out of space; as a result Bev was bundled across the grass before rejoining. The action wasn’t over, as entering the last few laps John Gray spun on turn 2 with the drivers door facing oncoming traffic. With steady yellow flags over the last 2 laps at the second turn, #302 survived intact as JJ completed his second victory.
Result 305 – 844-338-114-187-54-387-700-70-650
The final – unfortunately - will always be remembered for the horrendous crash involving Jason McDonald who was having a decent night, first time out, with the former JJ Corrado. Not exactly certain what happened, perhaps slipping on gravel pulled onto the track by the Stock Rods, or perhaps there was a mechanical failure, it was turn 1 that again provided the incident. The VW was flat-out on the top straight, and when it came to turn one, simply went straight on and rammed the tyres and concrete wall with massive force (see photos), the impact sending the Corrado skywards. The front end looked a sorry mess and no doubt there was a lot of unseen damage which will take a lot of sorting for the budget racer. The only good point was that after the huge impact, Jason himself looked to have thankfully survived the impact relatively unscathed. When the race recommenced, it was about three Tigras, and soon Graeme Gordon and JJ opened up a gap between themselves and Bonnar. As a result, the second half of the race was dominated by a totally absorbing battle between two of the most potent Rods in Scotland as JJ and Gordon locked themselves in a superlative battle; nothing to choose between the two exceptionally hard charging Tigras. Gordon led JJ as JJ looked for a way past, on more than one occasion JJ brought the blue Tigra along side its red cousin, only for Gordon to legitimately fight JJ off and maintain his slender lead. JJ continued to look either side of #338, but with Gordon flat-out there was no way past for the blue Tigra and the superb spectacle of these two cars locked in a flat-out duel continuing all the way to the flag, with Graeme Gordon getting there by a car length
Result 338 – 305 – 844-54-848-700-70-650
The Rods are now rested until Saturday when they make their third and final appearance of the week - this time at Cowdie. Mad Jock
Crimond – 21/06/09
Mad Jock reports: Crimond was the venue for the fourteenth event of the year and the first of three meetings this week - a week that will see the Scottish Rods visit each of the Scottish tracks.
With one or two Crimond drivers elsewhere, it was eight cars that arrived at Crimond, included in this figure was Norman Leadingham having his first outing of the year in his Fiesta, taking the total number to have raced in 2009 to thirty five. Gary Coffey was the only GMP car on the grid as he continued to use the Karl Price 206.
Race 1 saw Stuart Cowie get off the line best and into the early lead. John Buchan managed to get through the pack first, and then after chasing down #307 found a way past the Corsa and took over the front running. Eddie Schrader and Graeme Gordon by the final laps had caught Stuart Cowie # 307 but had to settle for third and fourth respectively. Norman Leadingham’s return was brief, with the Fiesta’s day over along with the head gasket.
Result – 300 (John Buchan), 307, 323, 338, 176, 302, 311.
Race 2 saw two cars missing from the grid as along with the aforementioned Fiesta, Chick Laing opted not to start race 2. A similar pattern to the first race with Stuart Cowie getting off the line to do the early running before John Buchan, Eddie Schrader and Graeme Gordon closed the gap. John Buchan made the best of Cowie nearly spinning the Corsa, whilst Graeme Gordon tried the outside route for four laps without success. Eventually it was Eddie Schrader who found the route through to second with Graeme Gordon eventually getting the better of the Corsa for third.
Result - 300, 323, 338, 307, 302, 176
The Final sadly saw the grid decrease further with 307 and 176 not making the start line. Graeme Gordon on this occasion made the best start and got alongside Eddie Schrader. The two remained side by side for a number of laps before contact between the pair saw 338 spinning into the corner ending his afternoon. John Buchan and Eddie Schrader then took the outside route past James Gray and the race finished in that order with just three Rods seeing the final chequer of the day fall, as John Buchan completed his hat-trick
Result. 300, 323, 302.
The Scottish Rods are next on track at Knockhill on Wednesday night before completing the first half of the Scottish season at Cowdie on Saturday
Mad Jock (With thanks to Eddie)
Knockhill - 14/06/09
Mad Jock reports: The thirteenth meeting of the season saw the Rods make the first of two weekend visits to the Tri-Oval in 2009. On this occasion, the varying Knockhill menu provided a three-formula meeting consisting of Hot Rods, along with the BriSCA F1 and F2 Stocks.
After last weekend’s meeting having low turnouts, fortunately the grid was a bit larger with twelve Rods making it, along with a couple of visiting Lightning Rods. Included in that figure were three debuts: Gary Coffey had an outing in the Karl Price 206, whilst Greig English made his seasonal debut having claimed his BMW Mini back from Jim McAlpine. Bev Norrie became the first of the fairer sex to enter the formula in a while having acquired the ex-McGuigan 206 and the first female competitor to use 16v power. Billy Bonnar also gave his new Tigra its first competitive run. Thirty-three drivers have now raced in Scotland in 2009.
Heat 1 saw the twelve Rods leave the line with the Lightning Rods tagging on at the rear of the grid. On the dry warm track the pace was on the rapid side and the first piece of entertainment came with Paul Wightman, Pete Allan and Ron Mac coming along top straight all looking for the same piece of tarmac with Allan the filling in the sandwich (see pics). Wightman managed to separate from the other two whilst Ron Mac and Allan remained locked together all the way down the link section and along the bottom straight. After disentangling Ron then suffered further contact as he and Bonnar locked together coming along top straight with the Honda at one point very sideways and nearly spinning out.
A yellow flag was then required to retrieve Gary Black’s 206 that was stranded on the bottom straight facing oncoming traffic. With the 206 retrieved, the race resumed with the two Tigras of Gordon and JJ having an absorbing battle, which JJ eventually edged with Billy Bonnar’s Tigra completing the top three. Or, if you prefer, the blue Tigra, from the red Tigra, from the gold Tigra!
Result – 305 (JJ) 338-844-823-51-176-3-871-777
Heat 2 was equally as closely thought with several battles raging in the midfield. Black, Schrader and Callender particularly locked together over an extended period. The two Tigras of JJ and Gordon again were closely matched having their own duel for several laps, whilst Eddie Schrader and Ron Mac had their dice.
At the flag it was again the blue Tigra when it counted, again followed home by Graeme Gordon. In third was Paul Wightman getting the best out of his budget Ka, Ron Mac brought the elderly Honda home for fourth, with Eddie Schrader and Graeme Callender completing the top six.
Result – 305 (JJ) – 338 – 51-187-323-871-16-54-176-34
The final saw the field stay as a pack over a longer period with half a dozen Rods disputing the major places. Paul Wightman managed to frighten a few as he spun the Ka out on the entry to the link section - fortunately being avoided by everyone. Stuart Walker then took a wild ride along the grass and was probably glad there was no concrete wall or fence to hinder his progress. If Stuart had looked in his mirror he would have seen JJ, Graeme Gordon, Ron Mac, and Eck Imries’ Lightning Rod, coming up behind him four-wide. JJ then managed to find the gap slipping up the inside of Ron Mac with Graeme Gordon following through as they went after Billy Bonnar who was looking for his first win in his Tigra.
At the flag it was again a Tigra trio with Bonnar leading JJ and Gordon over the line to seemingly collect his first victory in the Tigra. However, in the post race analysis, Billy was dropped two places. This promoted JJ to first place with Graeme Gordon taking over second, and Billy completing the top three.
Result – 305-338-844-187-54-3-51-650
The Scottish Rods are back on track next at Crimond this Sunday, before returning again to Knockhill next Wednesday. Mad Jock
Crimond – 07/06/09
Mad Jock reports: The second meeting of the weekend saw - after the disappointing turnout at Cowdie - the grid slump even further, as just four Rods arrived at Crimond for the twelfth date on the Scottish calendar.
Heat 1 saw Stuart Cowie lead the field away as Eddie Schrader and Graeme Gordon passed Jason McDonald, the only other car on the grid, before catching Stuart Cowie. Both Schrader and Gordon made valiant attempts to pass Cowie before Gordon spun the Tigra out on pitbend. Stuart Cowie went on to take the win followed by Eddie Schrader and a recovering Gordon from McDonald.
Result – 307 (Stuart Cowie) – 323-338-387
The second heat saw #307 again take the early lead, as Graeme Gordon tried the outside route before falling back into the clutches of Eddie Schrader. Contact was made and both the Tigra and Merc spun into the corner, the Merc sustained some damage but was able to finish the race at a reduced pace. Stuart Cowie went on to gain his second victory of the afternoon with Graeme Gordon again following the Corsa home.
Result – 307 –338-387-323
The final again saw Cowie make an impressive start as Schrader and Gordon took the outside route round McDonald. With Cowie out in front going for his hat-trick, the main action was the dice between Tigra and Merc, eventually decided in Schrader’s favour.
Result – 307- 323-338-387
The Scottish Rods are next on track this coming Saturday, one of only 2 weekend dates at the Tri-Oval, as they accompany the F1’s on their annual Knockhill visit. Hopefully there will be a vastly improved grid… Mad Jock (With thanks to Eddie)
Cowdie – 06/06/09
Mad Jock reports: You wait five weeks for one meet, then you get two in a row! The Rods were back at Cowdie for their eleventh of the year, and given last week’s small ten car grid, it was therefore very disappointing to see the grid crash to just seven cars - one of the lowest grids in many years. It was though, an evening perfect for racing with the track dry, and blue skies overhead, although a bit chilly with a stiff wind blowing.
The seven cars arrived on track for heat one and before the race even started it was down to six as Pete McVay’s BMW Mini stubbornly refused to start. Eventually the six cars left the line as the green flag dropped with Craig McLaren grabbing the early lead. The cars were to survive all of four laps before half the field (JJ, Allan and Donaldson) closing on the #34 –206 decided to make it three-wide going into turn 3 to find that didn’t work. As a result both Allan and Donaldson smacked the concrete bring the flags out. On the restart it was just the four cars, and whilst it soon became a battle between Stuart Walker’s ageing Clio and JJ’s Tigra, there was first a few more laps of Craig McLaren setting the pace. Walker then found a route to the front with JJ following into second a lap later. The smart money would have been on JJ’s Tigra getting the better of the elderly Clio but at the flag it was the Clio with JJ for company.
Result – 54 (Stuart Walker) – 305- 34-16 – N.O.F.
Heat two - with Pete Allan out for the rest of the meeting, and Craig McLaren staying in the pits, and Pete McVay’s Mini back in working order - became a five-car contest. It was to be Pete McVay’s now healthy Mini that grabbed the lead on the drop of the green with heat 1 winner Stuart Walker for company and the 205 of Donaldson (with numerous miles of tape) in third. The pace set by these three was such that this running order was maintained over the first half of the race, with the first change occurring when Gary Black got the better of Donaldson for fourth.with JJ following through. A couple of laps later JJ made the top three, but could nothing about the two front runners, and it was McVay that took the chequers with Walker climbing over the back of the Mini. JJ completed the top three a few lengths adrift.
Result – 88 (Pete McVay) – 54-305-16-700-34
The final saw the grid rise to six, with McLaren’s 206 back in running order. Gary Black, on this occasion, was to grab the lead which he maintained into the second half of the race. JJ took over as the race entered the second half, although never losing the 206 which followed JJ over the line only a couple of lengths adrift, with Ian Donaldson bringing his patched up 205 home in third; McVay and McLaren completing the runners. A night therefore of disappointing number, perhaps in part due to the final English round the next day, but there were certainly some who won’t be on the English grid who were also absent.
Result – 305 (JJ) –16-700-54-88-34. Mad Jock
Cowdie – 30/05/09
Mad Jock reports: The Scottish Rods made their first appearance at Cowdie in over a month on a superb warm night - perfect for racing, unfortunately not with the biggest grid with just ten making it. Included in that number was Tam Rutherford, making his Scottish debut in the ex-Buchan CC. This made it now 31 cars to have raced domestically in 2009.
The ten cars got off the line in perfect conditions and it was Tam Rutherford who led them away with Pete Allan on his Cowdie for company over the first 3 laps. Billy Bonnar was given the relatively light traffic making rapid progress and soon took over in second. The leading duo continued their battle upfront until Rutherford presumably feeling Bonnar was pressing too hard, applied the brakes, dramatically slowing both cars. The result of all this was Bonnar acquired a black cross as he took over in front with JJ following through. The second half of the race saw the unusual sight of JJ withdrawing the usually reliable Tigra, allowing Stuart Walker and Gary Black into the places. At the flag it was Bonnar from Walker and Black, but with the black cross #844 received, Billy was dropped two places handing a rare win to Stuart Walker’s Clio with Gary Black elevated to third.
Result – 54 (Stuart Walker) – 16-844-187-662-871-3
Heat 2 saw just nine cars come to the grid with Tam Rutherford’s CC taking no further part in the meeting. Unfortunately before the green even went down both Gary Black and Ian Donaldson withdrew, leaving just seven cars. Pete Allan managed a couple of laps in front before #54 took over, whilst behind, the blue Tigra made its inevitable charge through the diminished field. It was a lead Stuart was to hold for 5 laps before Bonnar took over in front. Behind Billy it got a bit hectic as within the space of 3 laps, three drivers held second place as Walker, Callender and JJ all attempted to catch #844. It was to be the #305 Tigra that caught Bonnar on lap 10 and then a magnificent duel to the flag with Billy taking the chequers with hardly daylight between the Tigra and 206; Keith Chesher in his pinto 206 completed the top three.
Result – 844 (Bonnar) – 305-662-54-871-3-187
The final saw an eight car grid, and again Pete Allan, in only his second meeting, lead over the first two laps before Graeme Callender came by. The mid-third of this race saw a magnificent three-way battle over second place involving 844, 305 and 3, which allowed Callender to pull away. The three-way struggle behind was eventually sorted in JJ’s favour, and he then set off after the Colt with plenty of laps still in hand. As the boards came out, JJ arrived on the Colt’s back panel looking seriously for a way past. The outcome might have been expected in the Tigra’s favour but three laps of solid defensive driving saw the Colt lead the Tigra over the line by the smallest of margins to give the third different victor of the night.
Result – 871- (Graeme Callender) – 305-700-844-662-3-54-16
The Scottish Rods return to Cowdie next Saturday night, and then it’s Crimond on Sunday. Mad Jock
Crimond – 24/05/09
Mad Jock reports: The tenth meet of the Scottish season took the formula back to Crimond and produced another decent meeting even if the grid was a few short from Wednesday night.
Heat 1 saw Graeme Gordon and John Buchan as the main protagonists and it didn’t take the two Tigras long to get through the relatively small grid in front of them. John Buchan and Stuart Cowie then had a coming together on pitbend (for which initially Cowie was trailered), this left Buchan nearly a complete lap down. Upfront it was Tigra versus Merc, and the two raced in tandem to the flag with the Tigra just edging it.
Result 338 (Graeme Gordon) – 323-307-333-300-302-311-387
Heat 2 saw John Buchan #300 and Eddie Schrader #323 this time get through the traffic the quickest, before Chick Laing in #311 ended up in the tyres on the entry to pits corner; needless to say the yellow flags were out. The action didn’t stop with the yellow flags, as under the waved yellows, Garry Ingram #333 went round the outside on pits corner, got sideways, and bounced off John Buchan #300, then Eddie Schrader #323 and then into the barrier on the inside! The race was restarted with Graeme Gordon in front of John Buchan, followed by Cowie and Schrader. After the restart Schrader passed Cowie for third whilst up front Gordon held off Buchan
Result - 338 (Graeme Gordon), 300, 323, 307, 302, 387, 311.
Final time and with Garry Ingram and Chick Laing out for the day, Eddie Schrader was starting on the outside of Gordon with Buchan behind. At the start Schrader made it three abreast up the straight and round pits corner to emerge the leader on the exit. An enthralling three-way battle then ensued all the way to the flag, with the Merc at the end of the day leading the two Tigras home.,
Result – 323 (Eddie Schrader) 338, 300, 387, 302
The Scottish Rods are next on track at Cowdie this Saturday. Mad Jock (with thanks to Eddie)
Knockhill – 20/05/09
Mad Jock reports: The ninth date in the Scottish 2009 season started a busy time for the Scottish Rods, as it was the first of three fixtures spread over just five days. It also - after a year’s absence - brought the return of the midweek meetings at the Knockhill tri-oval (the first of six dates at the tri-oval in 2009). This year’s meetings will be of very different content, with both the Saloons and Ministox gone from the Knockhill fixtures.
The new Knockhill style line-up consisted of the Hot Rods along with Stock Rods and F2’s, and the circuit Legends - used to the full Knockhill circuit - were in for their first date on the tri-oval.
Despite the three dates in quick succession and the midweek 6pm start time, the fixture produced comfortably the largest Rod-grid of the season so far with a superb 17 car turnout. Whilst a few of the normal GMP contingent were missing, no doubt due to the early evening midweek start, from north of Aberdeen came JJ, John and Neil Buchan, Graeme Gordon, Stuart Cowie, and Eddie Schrader brought the Merc to GMP territory for the first time.
Seasonal debuts came from Ron Mac making a welcome return, whilst Pete Allan in a smartly presented 206 cc, and James Gray in the ex-#300 206cc, made their debuts in the formula. Jim McAlpine raced the 777 car of Greg English. This took the total to 30 Rods to have raced in Scotland so far in 2009.
Heat 1 got underway on a dry track as 18 Rods slipped the clutch. A near disaster on hairpin as Ron Mac rotated with the pack right behind, amazingly Ron more or less survived with just an arch rubbing on the right rear when it could have been a lot worse. Shortly after this, JJ left the race with the Tigra spinning onto the infield. Up front it was a 3-way Tigra battle between three of the Crimond cars involving Graeme Gordon, and John and Neil Buchan. At the flag it was Neil Buchan who led Graeme Gordon over the line, with John Buchan completing the top three.
RESULT - #301 (Neil Buchan) – 338-300-844-323-333-307-54-305-662
Heat 2 produced another superb race with again plenty of 3-wide action, and at one point Billy Bonnar tried to make it 4-wide by using the grass whilst coming along the top straight. Stuart Cowie proved he is one for the future as he held off those with a barrel-load more experience for a considerable period. Much of the race involved an immense midfield struggle involving the majority of the grid, eventually experience told as the Tigras of Gordon and JJ, along with Billy Bonnar, broke clear. At the flag it was JJ who was to get the better of the Tigra battle leading Graeme Gordon over the line with Bonnar completing the top three. Stuart Cowie led the rest home as most of the field completed the distance as the close action continued to the flag.
RESULT – 305 (JJ) -338-844-307-187-300-323-51-54-302
The final got off to a false start with #301 stranded on the hairpin as the clutch failed when the green flag dropped. Disaster was only just avoided with the pack descending on the stranded Tigra as Neil chose wisely or unwisely to abandon the Tigra and race for the infield. PHOTOS With the stricken Tigra retrieved at the second time of asking, the race got underway and for the third time during the evening an immense battle got underway. Again much of the race centred round a crowded midfield with this time the front runners involving JJ, John Buchan, Gordon, Bonner, Schrader and Cowie. As the race entered the final stages it was again a 3-way Tigra battle, this time led by Graeme Gordon with JJ and John Buchan for close company. Graeme Gordon it was at the flag, followed by JJ and John Buchan.
RESULT – 338 (Graeme Gordon) 305-300-844-323-307-187-54-302-333
The Scottish Rods are back on track this weekend at Crimond. Mad Jock Knockhill Photos
Crimond – 10/05/09
Mad Jock reports: For the third consecutive Sunday the Scottish Rods arrived at Crimond for their eighth date in 2009. The grid edged up slightly from a week ago as Neil Buchan returned after a spell away and Chick Laing made his 2009 debut - becoming the twenty-sixth Rod to race in Scotland this year. Kevin Thomson #668 was the sole GMP car on the grid.
Heat 1 got as far as the first turn where too many cars went for too little space, this was never going to work, so they brought the yellow flags out so they could try again! As a result of this little melee Graeme Gordon #338 got his spoiler partially ripped off and took no further part in the race. At the restart Neil Buchan #301 got away from the pack and took the win with Eddie Schrader #323 and John Buchan #300 fighting it out for second with the Merc just edging out the Tigra for second place
Result - 301 (Neil Buchan) 323, 300, 307, 668, 311
Race 2 started minus Chick Laing #311 who withdrew from the rest of the meeting with brake problems. Chick wasn’t the only one to have problems as Neil Buchan’s Tigra was dropping oil before the Tigra was pulled from the race, the oil making life a bit difficult for those following. Graeme Gordon #338 eventually caught Stuart Cowie and attempted to pass on the outside, however it was the Corsa at the flag to take his maiden win with Schrader and John Buchan rapidly closing on the leading duo, the top 4 in very close proximity as they crossed the line.
Result - 307 (Stuart Cowie), 338, 323, 300, 333, 387, 668.
The final saw the grid launch off the line and two early casualties were Eddie Schrader and Kevin Thomson who had a coming together, and before they could recover they found themselves with ground to make up. Upfront, Graeme Gordon #338 got into the lead and it was a lead he wasn’t to surrender, as he became the third winner of the day. Neil Buchan came home in second for a Tigra one-two and Stuart Cowie - after his earlier win - got his third top three finish of the day to complete the podium.
Result - # 338 (Graeme Gordon) 301, 307, 300, 323, 333, 387, 668.
With the rods deleted from this coming Saturday’s Cowdie fixture due to the possibility of an extended football match immediately before, the Rods’ next appearance is now next Wednesday (20/5) as they return to the Tri-Oval for the first of six dates in 2009 at Knockhill. Mad Jock (With thanks to Eddie)
Crimond – 03/05/09
Mad Jock reports: The Scottish Rods unusually arrived at Crimond for the second consecutive week for the seventh date in the Scottish 2009 calendar and saw a 7 car grid. The grid comprised 6 locals and interestingly at Scotland’s most northern track the sole GMP car on the grid was the country’s most Southern based driver, as Ian McGuigan arrived all the way from Jedburgh in the Scottish borders. An afternoon therefore of obviously not the largest grid, but the racing was to prove that quantity isn’t required for quality as some quality racing was served up.
Six cars lined up for the first heat with Garry Ingram #333 electing to start from the back. Stuart Cowie #307 still off the front got away into an early lead only for Graeme Gordon #338 and John Buchan #300 to quickly get past, while Eddie Schrader #323 took a couple of laps to get round the Corsa. Gordon and Buchan battled at the front with Schrader giving chase in the Merc. At the flag it was the two Tigras leading the Merc over the line.
Result - #338 Graeme Gordon- 300 – 323 –307 – 7
Heat 2 saw Eddie Schrader’s Merc get the best start off the line and past the #307 Corsa. With Schrader leading in the Merc, a four-car train comprising #’s 307, 338, 300 and 7 all battled it out behind until #307 spun. Graeme Gordon eventually chased down the Merc although it looked like it might be too late to mount a challenge with just one to run. However on the last lap it was all to change as the Merc caught the back-marking # 307 and #333. Stuart Cowie #307 changed lanes and got caught up with Schrader allowing Gordon to take advantage and through to take the win.
Result- #338 – 323 – 300 – 7 - 333.
The final saw Ian McGuigan get off to a good start and take over the lead from Stuart Cowie. John Buchan and Graeme Gordon then got past the Corsa and went after McGuigan. John Buchan was first to find a way past McGuigan in a three-way Tigra battle with Gordon subsequently gaining second. By that time however #300 was off into the distance and ran out a comfortable winner with the top 3 completed by Gordon in second and McGuigan rewarded with third for his long distance trip
Result # 300 (John Buchan) – 338 – 7 - 323 – 307 - 333.
The Scottish Rods are back on track next Sunday for an unprecedented third-consecutive Crimond fixture. Mad Jock (With thanks to Eddie)
Crimond – 26/04/09
Mad Jock reports: The Scottish Rods returned to Crimond for meeting six of the year, unusually, the first of three consecutive weekly meetings at Rodding’s northern outpost.
Heat 1 saw just 7 cars on the grid including #668 Kevin Thomson making his Crimond debut. The green flag saw Stuart Cowie quickly into the lead as a relatively small but quality pack gave chase. John Buchan led the charge after the flying Corsa but was never going to get in striking distance. At the flag it was a reasonably comfortable victory for Cowie with the Tigras of John Buchan and JJ leading the chasing pack and completing the top three.
Heat 1 - 307 (Stuart Cowie) 300, 305, 338, 323, 668, 333
Heat 2 and as it turned out the only other Rod race of the afternoon saw Stuart Cowie fail to get off the line, thankfully the stranded Corsa wasn’t collected by those behind. The running order was JJ out in front with Graeme Gordon, Eddie Schrader and John Buchan doing the chasing. The remainder of the race saw close racing from the small but quality grid with the main action coming after #300 out-braked himself and made contact with the Schrader SLK resulting in #323 spinning on the bottom corner. Up front it was to be JJ that led a Tigra trio over the line with Graeme Gordon and John Buchan collecting second and third.
Heat 2 - 305 (JJ) – 338,300,323,668
Unfortunately, there were to be only two Hot Rod races due to an accident in a subsequent Hot Saloon race, which resulted in the emergency services being called to release the driver. As a result of the time this was going to take the decision was made to bring the meeting to an early conclusion.
The Scottish Rods return to track next Sunday at Crimond. Mad Jock (with thanks to Eddie)
Cowdenbeath – 18/04/09
Mad Jock reports: A dry night greeted the Rods as they unusually made their second appearance at Cowdie in as many weeks. With England not claiming any cars and some domestic debuts along with a comeback, it was the highest turnout of the season so far.
David Newall, Rab Norrie and Billy Bonnar made their first domestic appearances of the season, whilst Keith Chesher returned after a few years away using what looked like the ex-844 pinto 206, taking the total of drivers to have raced so far in 2009 to 24.
Heat 1 saw the 14 car grid step off the line and immediately it was Billy Bonnar and David Newall making the front-running, building up a lead that looked comfortable until on lap 5 Rab Norrie entering the back straight made slight contact with the concrete which was enough to claim the wishbone. The 206 when it arrived at the pitbend continued in a straight-line to bring out the only yellow flags of the night and earning Rab the first entry of 2009 in “Clattered Hot Rods” at http://gmphotos.fotopic.net/
On the restart, the battle up front resumed as Bonnar and Newall looked for the victory. It was a fight that was to go all the way to the flag and such was the pace these two set, not even JJ - having worked his way through the field whilst closing over the last few laps - could get on terms with. At one point Newall, bravely on the tight Cowdie circuit, sat on the outside of 844 for over 3 tours before being forced to pull in behind. The leading duo had to survive Keith Chesher’s departure from the race late on as the #662 – 206 snaked its way down the start straight before spinning backwards into the concrete. At the flag Bonnar did just enough to edge out Newall and claim victory in his first Scottish race in 2009, with JJ collecting third.
Result – 844 (Billy Bonnar) – 601-305-88-7-900-114-700-387.
Heat 2 of the night saw Newall step off the line with Bonnar for close company, and a battle that was to last all race long commenced. The action however wasn’t all at the sharp end as several places were being disputed equally hard behind the leading duo. Karl Price for much of the race led the charge after Bonnar and Newall, but couldn’t close the gap down. JJ made his usual progress through much of the field, but again such was the pace up front, on this occasion the blue Tigra wasn’t to even make the top 3 as he was embroiled in a midfield battle with Ian McGuigan and Burgoyne.
Newall was to take the flag by little more than a car length from Bonnar and an illustration of the pace the leading duo set was that whilst JJ in his pursuit of the leading duo did a blistering 13.9 it wasn’t enough to close the gap on the three front runners as Newall lead Bonnar & Price over the line, with JJ back in fourth.
Result – 601 (David Newall) –844-114-305-900-7-88-54-700-387
The final saw Bonnar step off the line and into an immediate lead, which Billy wasn’t to surrender. Billy had Price for company for a couple of laps before Pete McVay took over the chase. With Newall departing the race on lap 2 it made it a little easier for JJ to close on the leaders. JJ was to make third before half distance but that was as near to the front the blue Tigra was to come.
Up front, Bonnar was chased hard by both Burgoyne and McGuigan; around half distance the orange Tigra slowed, thereafter falling rapidly down the places.
Over the last few laps Burgoyne was closing on Bonnar, but Billy at the flag still had a few car lengths to spare for a reasonably comfortable win to add to his earlier heat. JJ completed the top 3 to round off one of the best Rod meetings seen at Cowdie in some considerable time.
Result – 844 – 900-305-871-88-54-662-387-7
The Scottish Rods are next on track at Crimond next weekend, the first of – unusually - three consecutive weeks for the Aberdeenshire track, returning to Cowdie a week later. Mad Jock
Cowdenbeath – 11/04/09
Mad Jock reports: A warm dry evening greeted the Scottish Rods as they arrived on track for the fourth time in 2009 as the formula returned to Cowdie. Unfortunately numbers were down on what might have been otherwise expected as a result of some cars being over the border and no Crimond cars on the grid. The meeting did however see the debut of Ian McGuigan’s new acquisition in the shape of the former Blackman Tigra, resplendent in its new Orange colour scheme.
Therefore with some Cowdie regulars missing and a complete lack of Crimond visitors it was 10 cars that set off for heat 1. Robbie Burgoyne took the lead on the opening lap which set the tone for the night. For the first 7 laps he had Stuart Walker’s Clio for close company but when Stuart left the race on lap 7 Robbie was left with an untroubled run to the flag. Graeme Callender took over the distant pursuit of the #900 machine but providing Burgoyne didn’t make a mess of it, the Colt was never going to seriously close the gap. The best dice of the race probably was the battle for third and fourth between Donaldson and Price, which was settled in Donaldson’s favour.
Result 900 (Robbie Burgoyne) – 871-700-114-51-88-7-34-668
The second heat saw the same 10 car grid and as the green flag fell it was Walker’s Clio that won the battle into the first corner. It was a lead Stuart was to hold for just 2 laps before the 900-CC took over. Ian Donaldson had made rapid progress into third, and much of the interest in this race centred round the struggle for second place as Burgoyne disappeared into the distance. The yellow flags were out for the only occasion of the evening around one-third distance when Kevin Stewart was sent sliding towards the Cowdie concrete with large trails of rubber marking his progress towards the unforgiving wall, the 206 eventually stopping inches from the concrete. Back up front Burgoyne had Stuart Walker for close company and whilst the 900 CC didn’t look too troubled the Clio was never dropped and eventually the Clio followed the CC over the line a couple of lengths adrift for the closest finish of the evening.
Result – 900 – 54-700-114-871-88-7-34-51
The final saw Paul Wightman’s Ka stay in the pits to leave a 9 car grid to contest the final. Kevin Stewart in the ex-Rab Norrie 206 led the final away and led over the first lap before Stuart walker took over for a couple of laps. It was at that point the Burgoyne CC appeared up the inside and took up the running. Graeme Callender took over in second around one-third distance with Donaldson moving into third. The Colt and 205 over the remainder of the race gave the #900 CC a decent challenge to the flag, but at the flag it was Robbie Burgoyne who completed his hat trick for the evening with the Colt only a couple of lengths adrift and the 205 a similar length back in third.
Result – 900 – 871-700-114-7- 88-54-34-668
The Scottish Rods return to the track next weekend for a double shift, appearing at Cowdie on Saturday and Crimond on Sunday. Mad Jock
Crimond – 05/04/09
Mad Jock reports: Crimond opened their 2009 season providing the Scottish rods with their third date of the year. It was a 9 car field compiled by 7 Crimond drivers and 2 GMP visitors with 5 of the grid making their 2009 debut, taking it to 20 drivers to have raced so far in 2009.
Main interest centred on the debut of three superbly presented new Rods, the Mercedes SLK of Eddie Schrader the two new Tigras of John & Neil Buchan. Stuart Cowie debuted his new mount - the Corsa that last year had a one-off outing with Neil Buchan at the wheel, and at one time was owned by Ricky Hunn.
Heat 1 saw all the Rods start and finish. Stuart Cowie proved difficult to pass, and once through it was a bit of a procession to the finish. Come the chequered flag it was however the 3 Rods that were out of the box that led the field home with Neil Buchan taking the flag in front of brother John, and Eddie Schrader picking up third.
Result 301, 300, 323, 338, 305, 114, 307, 51, 387.
Heat 2 saw Eddie Schraeder get the best start off the line in pursuit of Stuart Cowie. Lap 2 saw Graeme Gordon spin out of contention. After Neil Buchan’s win in his new Tigra’s debut race it was the Schraeder Merc that took over from Cowie up front and the Mercedes stayed there to the end as Neil Buchan departed the race with battery problems.. On the last lap it was a fast moving trio of Schraeder, JJ & John Buchan that headed for the flag, crossing the line in that order with the SLK taking its maiden win.
Result 323 (Eddie Schrader) 305, 300, 114, 51, 387, 338.
Final time and it was probably the best race of the day. Stuart Cowie was the early leader with a 5 car chasing pack. Neil Buchan managed to get the better of the hard charging Corsa with Schraeder, JJ, John Buchan and Gordon all trying to make it stick in an attempt to get the better of the Corsa. Then with Graeme Gordon on the outside and JJ on the inside, 307 spun two laps before the end leaving Neil Buchan to take his second victory of the day.
Result 301 (Neil Buchan) 305, 300, 323, 338, 387, 114, 307, 51.
The Scottish Rods next outing is Cowdie next Saturday night. Mad Jock (with thanks to Eddie)
Cowdie 28/03/09
Mad Jock reports: The Scottish Rods made their second appearance of the 2009 season on a dry but bitingly cold night. With England on this occasion managing not to nick half the grid, it was therefore perhaps a disappointing 10 car turnout. Seasonal debuts from Graeme Callender, Gary Black and JJ taking it to 13 cars to have raced in the opening two meetings of 2009.
The opening heat saw a 9 car grid, and whilst the pace was rapid, the action was on the sparse side. Stuart Walker led over the first 6 laps in his Clio before Ian Donaldson’s 205 took over. With the elderly SHP still having a fair turn of pace the lead was maintained until the dying stages. Entering the latter part, Craig McLaren withdrew his 206 with what looked like suspension problems, and Robbie Burgoyne withdrew his CC. It looked like Ian Donaldson might hold on for the opening race in his 205 as he still led JJ half way down the back straight on the final lap. With time rapidly running out at this point, JJ found a route down the inside to take over going round pitbend. Contact, however, was made between the Tigra and 205 on the exit of turn 4, with Donaldson making contact with the concrete as a result. Despite this, both cars crossed the line with JJ collecting the flag. However on entering victory lane, JJ was sent on his way, with the race awarded to Donaldson and JJ excluded from the result.
Result – 700 (Ian Donaldson) 54-871-114-387-668 – nof
Heat 2 saw Gary Black arrive in time to take the grid into double figures. Robbie Burgoyne on this occasion grabbed the early lead, and it wasn’t to be a lead he was to surrender. For most of the race he had the close attention of Walker with Graeme Callender holding third not too far back. The blue Tigra made its inevitable appearance in the second half of the race, first of all taking over in third, and then going after the leading duo. Walker, at this point, was only a length short of Burgoyne, but as the Tigra appeared the Clio fell back in an attempt to fend the Tigra off. This in turn, as the laps ran down, gave Robbie Burgoyne that bit of breathing space required to take the 900 CC to its maiden victory. JJ successfully passed Walker, but there was no time left to do anything about the CC.
Result – 900 (Robbie Burgoyne) – 305-54-700-871-16-114-668-387
The final was only a couple of laps old when Jason McDonald spun his 206 out on the exit of turn 4, fortunately the Peugeot coming to a stop off the inside line. Stuart Walker had led the field away in his Clio and was making good use of the empty track in front building up a lead that the now elderly Clio wasn’t to surrender. Robbie Burgoyne, fresh from his first victory in the formula, was keeping the Clio close company along with Graeme Callender, who in turn had Gary Black in his mirrors. As is so often the case, JJ appeared at the sharp end as the laps ran down and worked his way into third with 3 to go. A lap later and the Tigra was into second, chasing down the Walker Clio. At the flag it was by a car length (to take his second victory in as many weeks), that the Walker Clio had done enough to hold off the Tigra and take the second decent race of the night.
Result – 54 (Stuart Walker) – 305-900-871-700-16-114-668
The Scottish Rods are next on track next Sunday, as Crimond opens up its 2009 season and the formula returns to Cowdie the following Saturday. Mad Jock.
Cowdie 14/03/09
Mad Jock reports: The Scottish season opened on a night that brought, thankfully, a dry track and - given the numbers missing having crossed the border for a race - a respectable field of twelve cars.
New cars on show included Kevin Stewart in the ex-Rab Norrie 206, Robbie Burgoyne giving the CC its first competitive run, Sandy Ingram making his Cowdie debut in his BMW Mini, and Jason McDonald continued in his 206 whilst having a former JJ Corrado in the pipeline.
Heat 1 proved to be the most successful race of the night as 11 cars set off to start the Scottish 2009 season. Much of the action in heat 1 centred on the mid field struggle involving half the field. In the latter stages with Sibbald on the sidelines having withdrawn his spluttering 206, Pete McVay had command, with Stuart Walker doing the chasing in his Clio. At the flag it was McVay who collected the first win of the season with Walker not far adrift and Ian Donaldson completing the top 3.
Result – 88 Pete McVay – 54-700-900-387-333—668-334
Heat 2 sadly set the tone for the remaining two races; Paul Wightman having missed the first heat made it in time for heat 2 giving a 12-car grid. Unfortunately the race wasn’t that old before disaster struck on the back straight as half the field were involved in a big coming together with Price, Lea, Burgoyne and McVay ending in the concrete. Pete McVay, winner of the first heat, perhaps suffered most with heavy front-end damage. On the restart it was just six cars left and John Sibbald took maximum advantage quickly gaining a lead he never looked like losing. Stuart Walker gave chase but it always looked a futile chase with the Sibbald 206 having a clear track up front. In the final few laps, Ian Donaldson’s 205 was also narrowing the gap decisively, but not quite enough to put in a serious challenge for 2nd as the laps ran down.
Result – 629 –54-700-387-333-668
The final was unbelievably almost a carbon copy of heat 2: with the race again in its early stages, the field entered the back straight when, with Stuart Walker’s Clio in the thick of it, the Clio shed a rear wheel, spun, and ground to a halt. With the field still in close formation Robbie Burgoyne, Scott Lea all landed in the concrete as Karl Price collected the inner barrier. After a very lengthy delay to remove Scott Lea from his stricken 206, eventually the remaining four cars got a 10-lap dash for the flag, with Ian Donaldson leading Sibbald and Jason McDonald over the line.
Result – 700—629-387-668
With the Rods having been deleted from next week’s Cowdie fixture, their next appearance is at Cowdie in two weeks time. Mad Jock
Scottish pre-season testing and 2009 season preview
Mad Jock reports: The pre-season practice (01/03/09) at Cowdenbeath saw nine rods in attendance on an afternoon the weather didn’t do many favours. Initially dry, the arrival of the rods on track naturally coincided with the rain arriving.
Of the Rods on track (along with David Hearst’s Lightning rod), main interest perhaps centred on the new Tigra of Neil Buchan #301 with the car only completed the evening before.
Kevin Stewart was present in the 206 used last year by Rab Norrie, whilst Robbie Burgoyne #900 had his first Cowdie outing in the CC.
Billy Bonnar #844 showed with his 206 sporting a new paint job whilst his other 206 was under new ownership. David Newall #601 had last years Corsa on show whilst Graeme Callender #871 continues with the ex-Gomm Colt. Ian Donaldson #700 was also present with his rapid 205 resplendent in new paint scheme. Craig Mclaren #34 was the final rod present in his tidy 206.
The second session proved the quicker of the two with the weather improved over the earlier outing. Despite the improved conditions #871 nearly made the first entry of 2009 in “clattered hot rods”.
Major dates for the rods on 2009 in GMP territory fall in the second half of the season as the charity 2-seater night returns in August, whilst September sees the double header at Cowdie and Knockhill with the World Cup and Open Scottish up for contention over the two days. The final major date of the season for the rods is the Scottish Championship which comes late in the season with an October date.
It’s going to be a busy season for the Scottish rods with Knockhill back on the calendar there are 20 GMP dates (14 Cowdie & 6 KH) and Crimond comes in with a further 17 dates to give a 37 meeting season.
The Rods get underway in two weeks time opening their season at Cowdie with - for recent times - a rare sequence of three Saturdays in a row, before Crimond opens up the following week. Mad Jock
2008 Scottish news & reports by Mad Jock
Photos by GM Photos
Archive 2007, 2006, 2005 HERE
Cowdie – 11/10/08
Mad Jock reports: A dry track greeted the Rods as they returned to Cowdie for their 26th date of the year, and with it, two welcome additions in the 13 car grid. Eddie Schrader - a long time Crimond stalwart - finally made it down to Cowdie, and following his horrendous crash a few weeks ago (after much midnight oil was burnt) Ian Donaldson returned in his 205, with the 700 machine looking immaculate.
Jason McDonald took the early lead in heat 1, and the 206 maintained enough speed to hold off the 16v machines until half distance. It was at this point the chasing quartet of McVay, Black, Bonnar and JJ closed the gap with McVay’s BMW Mini taking over at half distance. JJ followed through into second a lap later. With 4 to go JJ found the gap to take over and over the final 4 laps steadily increased his advantage over McVay, McDonald netting a well deserved third in his pinto 206.
Result – 305 (JJ) – 88-387-844-54-338-5-9-871-323
Heat 2 again saw Crimond visitor Jason McDonald set the pace over the first half of the race and it would have been a lengthier stay out in front if the yellow flags hadn’t appeared on lap 9 after Billy Bonnar was assisted into the concrete by Graeme Gordon. On the restart Pete McVay took over out in front with Graeme Callender on his tail, the Tigras of JJ & Gordon following. With JJ looking for a route past the two front runners it still looked as if the determined driving by McVay might be enough to net the victory, but with the laps fast running out JJ took the only option open to him with a manoeuvre worthy of victory going from third to first using the outside route. With McVay failing to complete the last lap Graeme Callender - in the middle of a Tigra sandwich - brought his Colt home for second as Graeme Gordon’s Tigra completed the top 3.
Result – 305 (JJ) – 305-871-338-387-54-700-9-323-187-34
With a few failing to make the grid, it was a reduced field that made the final. This gave Craig Mclaren’s 206 the chance to do the early front running before Ian Donaldson showed his 205 has been restored to health after its massive crash a few weeks ago by blasting past to take up the running. It was a lead Donaldson was to maintain for the next 7 laps before JJ took over on his way to completing his hat-trick. Gary Black subsequently took over in second for a single lap before Graeme Gordon made it a Tigra one-two with Gary Black completing the top 3.
Result 305 – 338-9-700-323-187-34.
As the Rods shut down for the night, the final meeting at Crimond was just over 12 hours away. Meeting twenty-seven of the year is the final fixture at Crimond of 2008 and as usual at the “Fun Meeting” there are no points on offer. The Rods return to Cowdie in two weeks time to complete the Scottish season. Mad Jock
Crimond 21/09/08 followed by Crimond 05/10/08
Mad Jock reports: The Scottish Rods came to the grid for the 25th time in 2008 and perhaps the recent heavy schedule took its toll with only 7 rods making the track
Race 1 saw perhaps the two most potent cars present on the day fight it out, with eventually Graeme Gordon’s Tigra just edging out the CC of John Buchan, Stuart Cowie completing the places with one of his best finishes in third, Jason Duncan in fourth being the only other car running at the finish.
Heat-1 – 338 (Graeme Gordon) – 300-307-306 N.O.F
Heat 2 saw John Buchan go one better than the earlier heat as he led home a hard driving Stuart Cowie with Eddie Schrader following the Mini over the line for third. Fourth was the best Graeme Gordon could manage, with the placings being completed by Jason Duncan and Jason McDonald
Heat 2 – 300 (John Buchan) – 307 – 323 – 338-306-387
The Final was to find the Tigra back in front when it counted as the championship looks like going down to the final chequered flag of the season. On this occasion Graeme Gordon’s Tigra edged out the Buchan CC, with Jason McDonald completing the major placings.
Final - 338 – 300-307-323-306
Crimond 05/10/08
A fortnight later the Scottish Rods again appeared at Crimond, making their 26th appearance of 2008 for the final points-scoring meeting of the Crimond season.
A dry but chilly day greeted drivers the meeting which would see the destiny of the Track Championship being decided. Going into the meeting, John Buchan held a narrow 2-point lead over Graeme Gordon. Such was the level of competition between the two, third placeman Eddie Schrader found himself the innocent meat in the sandwich during Heat 1 as the trio battled for the lead. At around halfway, Schrader found himself leading from Buchan on his outside and Gordon immediately behind...heading into the Track-shop bend, the Fiesta got typically unsettled but in correcting the slide, a gap appeared on the inside wide enough for a Tigra. No second invitation was needed as Gordon stuck his nose up the inside heading round turn 4, but with Buchan still glued to his outside Schrader suffered from the accordion effect and the three cars compressed heading into the home straight, sending Schrader spinning towards the infield and handing the lead - and eventually the victory - to Gordon.
Result - Heat 1: 338, 300, 306, 323, 387, 333, 777, nof
Heat 2 started with Gordon being delayed behind a suddenly slow Schrader - a missed gear or slippy foot saw the Fiesta lose momentum heading under the starter's rostrum when the green flag waved, giving Buchan the opportunity to charge up the inside before Gordon eventually found a way past a now up-to-speed Schrader. Buchan worked his way through into the lead, but had to overhaul an impressive display from Jim Cowie in the Mini who - after losing out as well to Gordon - benefited from an early red flag when Greg English clipped the back straight tyres and embedded himself against the tyre wall facing the wrong way, to hold onto third ahead of Jason Duncan and Schrader.
Result - Heat 2: 300, 338, 308, 306, 323, 387, 333, nof
The championship went into the deciding final race and once again saw Buchan and Gordon break away from Schrader and onward to the front of the field. With mechanical gremlins and back marker intervention looking unlikely, Buchan held his nerve on the inside line to take the chequers and the silverware for 2008, with Gordon rueing his luckless summer form which saw him fail to capitalise when other commitments saw John miss a meeting. All in all, a promising season with a number of new faces beginning to find form and the likelihood of many more appearing in 2009!
Result Final - 300, 338, 306, 387, 308, 323, 777, nof
The Scottish rods next appearance is this Saturday 11/10, when they return to Cowdie. Mad Jock (With thanks to Scott Keith)
Inaugural New Aldershot meeting, Sunday 14th September 2008
Boardley’s classic final as Nationals return to Aldershot
Graham Brown reports: With the National Hot Rods back at Aldershot for the first time since the old Tongham track closed sixteen years ago, it was Carl Boardley who came through to win the final at this ‘trial’ meeting with a superb drive round the outside.
Although at relatively short notice, eleven cars turned up to sample the still fresh asphalt and assess the suitability of the new raceway for possible inclusion in the 2009 programme for the class.
Despite pre-event misgivings from drivers and fans alike, that the track might prove difficult to overtake on, the opening heat provided passing aplenty. No doubt this was helped along by everybody’s unfamiliarity with the oval and exactly which lines worked best. After practice, Peugeot racer Richard Smith was unequivocal about passing opportunities.
“I think there will be an outside line. When people are tucking into the bends, it will give others a chance to get on the outside and hold ‘em in there. It’s grippy and it’s good.”
Phil Young looked a dead cert winner of that first heat for every lap but the last, when a challenge from the fast closing Jeff Simpson – winner of the final at the ‘last ever’ Aldershot meeting – sent the Colt driver spinning. Simpson’s enthusiasm to also be the first winner at new Aldershot led to him getting dropped a couple of places, a fate which also befell son Matt, leaving Dick Hillard the inaugural victor.
The second heat still featured lots of hard dicing for the places, but this time Young was never bothered by any of that and won by a quarter of a lap, while Boardley was busy setting a new track record of 13.41s.
The final was everything which might have been hoped for. More than had been hoped for in fact – it was one of the best I’ve seen all year, which just goes to show, you don’t always need a large number of cars on track to have a proper race.
Although Young was out early after a first lap collision with one of the unforgiving earth mover-type marker tyres (and got a hefty belt up the bum from Jason Kew in the process), Mikey Godfrey, Jeff and Matt Simpson and Boardley got stuck into a terrific lead battle. Simpson Snr. spun while trying to wrest the lead away from Godfrey via the outside trip going into the pit bend. But, with Godfrey keeping an extremely tidy and tight line, it was Boardley who got up and finally made the pass stick, despite nearly losing it altogether and smacking the wall at one point. To his credit, he never appeared to lift for a second. His eventual pass drew spontaneous applause from the appreciative crowd, which is not something you hear every day, particularly not over the scream of racing engines.
The winner was still less than truly enthusiastic about the new venue however.
“It’s alright, but there’s really only one line at the minute. The inside’s got so much grip that you’re trying to get past someone who’s got an unfair advantage – they’re on the inside!”
Despite his final spin, Jeff Simpson expressed no such reservations.
“I loved it – it’s definitely my kind of track. If there’s a world qualifier here next year, book me in!” Graham Brown
Heat one: 31,38,3(-2),303(-2),155,174,27,85(-2),519,421.
Heat two: 421,27,3,31,303,174,41,85.
Final: 41,27,303,85,38,3,174.
Keith Duke’s photos in the GALLERY
Crimond & Cowdie, 07 & 08 September
& Cowdie, 13 September
Mad Jock reports: With Crimond hosting the Open Scottish Championship over two days, and Cowdie also running the formula on Saturday night, perhaps unwisely - for the first time in a long time (if not ever) - Scotland last Saturday night had clashing Hot Rod meetings.
The Rods arrived on the grid for the 24th time in 2008 for the first of three-weekend meetings. Crimond started it all off with day one of the Open Scottish Championship weekend, and with the need to complete the meeting in daylight hours, it was an unusual 5pm start time.
Day one at Crimond saw the first two heats of qualification for Sunday’s Open Scottish Championship, and a good travelling support for the two day event at Crimond resulted in an enlarged grid at the UK’s most northern track.
Heat one saw an impressive field of Rods, the expected eventual front runners having considerably more work to do on this occasion to get to the front than normal. Eventually at the sharp end it was Jason Duncan who held on for victory ahead of Eddie Schrader with John Buchan having to settle for third; Graeme Gordon looking for a way past to the last corner. Stuart Cowie finished in fifth in his pinto powered BMW Mini; Chas Bain the first GMP driver home completing the top 6.
Result – 306 (Jason Duncan) – 323-300-338-307-10-9-871-333
Heat 2 and the only other Rod race on the Saturday saw a more familiar conclusion with two Crimond stalwarts fighting it out to the final lap. John Buchan (in his CC) edged out Graeme Gordon’s Tigra, with Jason McDonald completing the top 3. Gary Black on this occasion led the GMP contingent home to take fourth - which was also the highest finishing position by any GMP driver over the weekend. Closely following Gary was race 1 victor Jason Duncan, Eddie Schrader completing the top 6.
Result – 300 (John Buchan) – 338-387-9-306-323-10-871-307-333
An hour after the green flag sent the Rods on their way at Crimond, the green flag fell at Cowdie to start the second meeting of the weekend, and no. 22 of the year.
With a number of GMP drivers choosing to do both days at Crimond, heat 1 saw Ian Donaldson step off the grid with Norman Leadingham for company to head the very depleted field away. It was a two-car battle over the first third of the race with Karl Price chasing the pinto pair down before getting the better of Leadingham on lap 7. Despite the relative lack of traffic, JJ was unable to sufficiently chase down Donaldson’s flying 205 and it was at the flag the much-used 205 that took the spoils. It was behind Donaldson that the best action was witnessed, JJ and Karl Price the entertainers. Eventually the Tigra finally managed to find a way past the Peugeot for second leaving Karl to complete the top 3.
Result – 700 (Ian Donaldson) 305 -114-88-14-197-7
Heat 2 saw Sandy Allen enjoy the early front running before inevitably the Donaldson 205 took over. Allen then fell back into the clutches of Leadingham, whom he managed to hold off for a couple of laps - all of which helped Donaldson clear off into the distance. On lap 4 Leadingham took over second place just as Ian McGuigan departed the race, leaving the already small grid minus one of the potential front-runners. As Leadingham gained second, he no doubt had one eye on the mirror as JJ was flying round on this occasion making rapid progress through the smaller than usual grid in front of him. It was on lap 7 that the Tigra relieved the Fiesta and set off after Donaldson. However, despite JJ’s best efforts it was still the elderly 205 leading when it counted with JJ having to settle again for second after closing the gap down; Leadingham managing to fend Price for third.
Result – 700- 305-14-114-187-7-nof.
By the end of lap 1 in the third race, inevitably the Donaldson 205 had passed Sandy Allen’s Fiesta in his pursuit of 3 in a row. The first 6 laps saw Ian have Leadingham and a closing Karl Price for company. After attempting to chase the elderly but sprightly Donaldson 205 down on the two previous occasions it was maybe third time lucky as the Jamieson Tigra on this occasion took over on lap 10. Likewise after trailing the 205 in the heats, Price got the better of Donaldson with 4 to go. With JJ then unable to drop Karl’s 206 it was at the flag the Tigra leading the 206 over the line by a small margin with Donaldson’s 205 completing the top 3.
Result – 305 (JJ) – 114-700-14-7-187 – nof
The following afternoon, it was part 2 of the Crimond Open Scottish Championship weekend. Sunday afternoon’s Rod content consisted of the remaining 2 heats and the Open Scottish event.
Heat 3 of the weekend saw the grid boosted further by the arrival of Karl Price, although Karl was the only Rod travel up the road for day 2 at Crimond after doing Cowdie on Saturday night. The third heat was like the previous evening’s affair - full of fast close racing, and had the only bit of controversy. With the track fuller than usua,l the route to the front was more challenging. John Buchan was the one to suffer on this occasion with the 300 Peugeot being docked places when the results were confirmed. Eddie Schrader opened his account in the third heat of the weekend with victory from Graeme Gordon and Jason Duncan; again the Crimond drivers were very much to the fore over the visitors
Result – 323 (Eddie Schrader) – 338-306-300-10-871-114-377-9-51
The fourth and final qualifying heat of the weekend saw John Buchan open his account for the weekend after a hard duel with the Gordon Tigra. Eddie Schrader in his aging Fiesta followed the two much more modern rods over the line to complete the top 3 from Jason McDonald; Gary Black completing the top 5.
Result 300 (John Buchan) 338-323-387-9-307-871-306-114-51
The final Rod event of the weekend was the Open Scottish Championship and a healthy grid of rods had survived the two days competition to take part in the final. Again, perhaps local knowledge was to be the telling factor with Crimond drivers well to the fore. After a clean fast race it was 3 Crimond veterans that filled the podium with - as so often when silverware is on offer - the 300 car being hard to beat. This year wasn’t to be any different as the Buchan took the spoils with this time Eddie Schrader edging out the Graeme Gordon Tigra. In accordance with Crimond tradition in a major championship, no place lower than third is recorded in the final result.
Open Scottish Championship 2008 – 1 John Buchan (300) 2 Eddie Schrader (323) 3 Graeme Gordon (338)
Cowdie 13/09/08: Meeting 21 of the year brought the Rods back to Cowdie, and a dry mild night greeted the 13 Rods to make the track. The 12 GMP cars included the return of Rab Norrie in his previously owned 206, and Jason Duncan made the journey down from Crimond territory.
Heat 1 saw Sandy Allen lead the field away in his Fiesta and the white roof maintained a decent speed to hold onto the lead for 3 laps before the 205 of Donaldson took over. Bonnar was making steady progress through the field and took up the chase around half distance. By this time however, the 205 was well clear and heading for victory. Bonnar wasn’t making any inroads into Donaldson’s lead and now had Leadingham for company. At the flag, Donaldson was half a lap clear of Billy with Leadingham safe in third, and Sandy Allen brought his budget Fiesta home in fourth - possibly its best finish.
Result – 700 (Ian Donaldson) 844-14- 20 – 88 – 9- 871-10-54 –51
Heat 2 again saw Sandy Allen make the early running, this time holding on at the front for the first 5 laps. With Allen out in front those playing catch up found themselves in a bit of bother as Craig McLaren found himself facing the wrong way. Wightman, in taking avoiding action, hit the concrete, then one of the large marker tyres, and his meeting was run. On the restart, Donaldson again led the field away with this time Billy Bonnar doing the chasing. Into the second half of the race and it was the Bonnar 206 that took over from the 205 and Billy, from that point, managed to edge away from the 205. Chas Bain and Gary Black in their 16v machines maintained the chase to the end, but at the flag it was Billy still out in front. As the cars slowed on completion of the race Pete McVay’s Mini chose to shed a wheel ending his participation in the meeting.
Result – 844 (Billy Bonnar) 10-9-14-306-871-88-20-34
The meeting final provided much of the action and unfortunately it wasn’t all of the right variety. The familiar pattern for the night was repeated with Sandy Allen leading the way over the early laps before Donaldson’s 205 took over on the third lap. From that point it looked like another victory for 700 until disaster struck going down the back straight. With the 205 flat out approaching turn 3 the 205 simply went straight on and with tremendous force slammed into the concrete. The impact sent the 205 to the top of the wall before travelling back across track only stopped by the armco behind the goalposts. With the 205 suffering extensive, possibly terminal damage it was good to see Ian walk away. Sadly the car may well have done its final lap. On the restart the race didn’t go far before Bonnar was nudged wide exiting pitbend and the 206 was minus a rear wheel. Gary Black was now the leader in his Aberdeen Angus special with Chas Bain for company and it was Bain that took over with 5 to go and led Gary over the line for a close 1-2 with Graeme Callender not far behind completing the top 3.
Result 10 (Chas Bain) – 9 – 871-306-14-34- n.o.f Mad Jock
*
Crimond – 24/08/08
Mad Jock reports: The Scottish Rods arrived on track for the twentieth time in 2008, sadly Colin Gomm didn’t take the chance to be the first English Rod to arrive at Crimond and boost the small grid of just 4 cars. Equally there were no visiting GMP cars for the second successive week of racing at Crimond, where the weather thankfully cleared-up to leave a pleasantly warm and dry Sunday afternoon.
Heat 1 saw Jason McDonald lead the field away, but wisely retired after the first few laps with smoke pouring from the rear of the car thanks to the OSR tyre rubbing against the wheel arch. Jason was soon joined on the infield by Eddie Schraeder, the car revving freely on depression of the accelerator, signalling drive-train issues that were to sideline Eddie for the remainder of the day. Despite the depleted field, John Buchan and Graeme Gordon were having a terrific scrap for the lead with Buchan keeping his CC stuck to the inside line, with a visibly quicker Gordon just unable to power around the outside, leaving the CC to edge out the Tigra at the flag.
Result - 300 (John Buchan) – 338 – nof
With Schraeder taking no further part in the meet Jason McDonald led the three car field away at the start of heat 2. The pinto machine however was soon overhauled by the squabbling 16-valve duo. On this occasion Gordon managed to make his overtaking move stick and powered into a lead he was never to have challenged, claiming his first race win of the season as he was closely followed to the line by the CC.
Result 338 (Graeme Gordon) –300- 387
Having been denied the possibility of a hat-trick in heat 2 John Buchan made no mistakes in the final race although he was once again made to work very hard indeed by Gordon. Whilst Buchan went on to claim the double it almost went pear-shaped when the CC slid wide under acceleration out of turn 4 at around halfway, which almost let the closely following Tigra through. For the remainder of the race, Graeme Gordon bravely stuck to the outside of the CC, but just could not find the extra grip required to pull ahead. At the flag the CC edged the victory.
Result 300-338-387
The Scottish Rods return to the tracks in two weeks time, with apparently three dates. Crimond host their two-day Open Scottish Championship, whilst incredibly - according to Saturday night’s Cowdie programme - the formula is also on duty at Cowdie the same evening. Mad Jock (With thanks to Scott Keith)
Cowdie – 23/08/08
Mad Jock reports: The first of the weekend’s two meetings found Cowdie after the monsoon of a fortnight previous thankfully dry, albeit with the threat of rain. With Crimond also running the following day, the Scottish contingent on the grid was perhaps understandably entirely GMP. John Sibbald made his belated domestic debut for 2008 taking the total of Rods to race in Scotland in 2008 to a very impressive 38, whilst Colin Gomm put in a welcome appearance.
Heat 1 saw McLaren the early leader, before the pinto-powered 205 of Donaldson came flying by a lap later, quickly proceeding to build up an enormous advantage. If the result of the race was a foregone conclusion from early on, the action behind was of the highest order. Norman Leadingham maintained the best pursuit possible of Donaldson as Jamieson - with a far from happy sounding Tigra - did his best to get on terms with the two flying pinto machines, whilst Bonnar filled his mirrors. With Chas Bain a distant fifth,, the big battle, which was seriously good to watch, was for the lower places between Callender, Walker and Gomm. It was a battle that raged all the way to the chequer and eventually settled in that order.
Result – 700 (Ian Donaldson) – 14-305-844-10-871-54-278-9-7
Heat 2 once again saw Donaldson make light work of his blue roof to make the front, squeezing past McLaren on lap 2 and, with the absence of the Ka, there was little to stop Donaldson from that point. Leadingham however had the 205 in his sights and for a brief period took over, but it wasn’t long before the 205 was back in front. Again the main action was in midfield, as McVay, Sibbald, Walker and Gomm were locked in a race long duel. It was Graeme Callender that was to come nearest to catching the flying pintos snatching third on the line as he got the best yet out of the ex-Gomm Colt, without ever getting close enough to seriously trouble the leading duo. Further back, Sibbald, Gomm and Walker had an enthralling battle, and with little to choose between the trio, it was to go all the way to the flag.
Result - 700 – 14-844-871-10-88-629-54-278-7
Final time and the blue-roofed 205 again set off for the chequer with his main challenge again coming from the two other pinto-powered machines on the grid, (Leadingham & Bonner) after JJ pulled the Tigra out on completion of the 2 warm up laps. Mid-field, a repeat of the superb battle from the previous race raged with Black, Sibbald, Gomm and Walker all involved. Eventually it was settled in that order after Gomm drove round the outside of Walker on pitbend. Back up front the pinto amigos had cleared off leaving the 16v cars behind with Graeme Callender coming closest to closing the gap in the ex-Gomm machine, whilst McVay withdrew a lap after he clipped the concrete exiting pitbend. At the chequer Donaldson led the pinto charge for the line with Leadingham for company, Callender following having split the pinto trio. Billy Bonnar, Chas Bain and Gary Black followed after a race long dice, leading the fast-finishing trio of Sibbald, Gomm and Walker home; McGuigan completing the top 8 to round off a superlative night of Hot rRd racing.
Result – 700-14-871-844-10-9-629-278-54-7
As the engines were silenced for the night, there was little more than 12 hours before they fired up at Crimond… Mad Jock
Crimond – 17/08/08
Mad Jock reports: Crimond was the venue for the eighteenth appearance of the Scottish Rods in 2008. Neil Buchan made a one-off appearance in a chassis that once belonged to, but was never raced by, Ricky Hunn, and the car has already been sold on. Also joining the grid was Jim Cowie who was one of the few back in 1990 responsible for re-introducing the Hot Rods to Crimond. The total number of Rods to have raced in Scotland in 2008 now stands at 37. The figure should rise again shortly as a Clio reappears after a lengthy absence with a similar route to Paul Wightman being taken for the power unit.
The grid unfortunately was made up exclusively by local drivers, as - despite no GMP hot rod fixture over the weeken - there were no visiting cars on the grid.
It didn't take long for Neil Buchan to make his mark as he took the Corsa to victory on its maiden run, making light work of passing Jason McDonald into a lead he was never to have challenged. Behind him, Graeme Gordon made the most of John Buchan's difficulties in trying to overtake an ever-stubborn Eddie Schrader by sneaking up the inside of the Buchan CC before slipping around the outside of Schrader. The unlucky McDonald had his afternoon cut short as he began to slow during the final laps when his rear suspension collapsed. He was unceremoniously spun by Jim Cowie, who had suffered a major tank-slapper under acceleration down the home straight, lost control and speared into the side of the Cowie Peugeot.
Result – 301 (Neil Buchan)- 338-300-323-308- n.o.f
Only 4 cars made it out for the second heat - Schrader joining McDonald on the sidelines and this meant a straight fight between the 16-valve trio which saw John triumph over Neil, who in turn managed to hold off the challenge of Gordon; Jason McDonald completing the runners.
Result – 300(John Buchan) – 301-338-308
Final time and the blast off the line saw John Buchan edge out his brother Neil; given the lack of quantity on the grid it probably should have stayed this way. However this time Gordon exploited an open door left by Neil at around halfway, and slipped through into second. Despite his subsequent efforts, Neil Buchan wasn’t able to retrieve the place, following the Tigra over the line for third , with Jason McDonald’s pinto 206 keeping up a respectful speed to complete the finishing four.
Result – 300 – 338-301-308
The Scottish Rods are next on track this coming weekend as they do a double shift with Cowdie on Saturday and Crimond on Sunday. Mad Jock (With thanks to Scott Keith)
Scottish Championship
Cowdenbeath – 09-08-08
Mad Jock reports: Almost exactly half the Rods to race in Scotland so far in 2008 made the grid for the Scottish 2008 Championship. Eighteen Rods gathered at Cowdie on a night when the weather was to do the formula no favours.
The evening started on an almost dry track after afternoon rain only for the rain to return during the race preceding the Championship. The rain was almost off by the time the cars belatedly came to the grid after some rapid tyre decisions were made back in the pits.
The front row saw Paul Wightman line up alongside Billy Bonnar, the latter perhaps surprisingly choosing to use his Pinto 206, which was minus both name and numbers. Wightman got off the line first to lead the 25-lapper away, with Billy filling his mirrors. The first 2/3rds of the race saw the fastest speeds of the night with JJ in particular on a major charge. JJ notably made more progress from the rear of the grid than those starting around the Tigra, such was the pace set by those - Bonnar, Whiteman and Donaldson - upfront.
Lap 13 proved to be unlucky for Graeme Gordon, Pete McVay and Jason McDonald, as they tangled on the entry to pitbend earning themselves entries in “Clattered Hot Rods” with Gordon coming off worse. On the restart it wasn’t long before JJ took over at the front, and from that point never looked back.
In the closing stages Bonnar had Donaldson closing steadily, and then the two pinto-powered Peugeots (205 & 206) battling it out for the other two podium places; the 16v cars well adrift. On the night the 205 was to prove fastest as Donaldson slipped past the 206 and then eased away to make second place secure. At the same time Wilson drifted wide to collect the concrete on pitbend, thereby ending his interest in the Championship. At the flag Jamieson was comfortably clear with Donaldson in turn having a few car lengths to spare over Bonnar.
Scottish Championship – 305 (JJ) – 700-844-51-114-871-10
By the second race of the evening, the weather had descended to the very unpleasant category with the heavens emptying. Wightman again stepped off the front row to take a lead that this time would never be relinquished. Paul’s biggest danger came from the conditions, which now saw large volumes of water lying on the track. It was the standing water that was nearly to be Paul’s undoing on this occasion as the Ka collected the loch that was building on the inside of turn 4, sending the Ka tank-slapping its way down stand straight before it was gathered together just in time for turn 1. The impressive 205 of Donaldson, which seemed to be handling the deplorable conditions better than most, chased the Ka to the line. Graeme Callender collected third in the ex-Gomm Colt as he fended off JJ.
Result – 51 (Wightman) – 700-871-305-14-696-844-338-54-10
The final race of the night saw the difficult conditions continue. As earlier in the evening it was the Ka that led the grid away with Bonnar for company. The Ka built up a healthy lead with most eyes probably on JJ as he powered through from the back; Jason Duncan and Graeme Callender giving him some competition on his passage towards the sharp end. Wightman’s job upfront this time was made that bit easier with only Bonnar for company early on, as Donaldson fell back into the pack. As the race entered the final laps, JJ’s Tigra was eating rapidly into Wightman’s lead, and with just over a lap to go JJ latched onto Paul’s back panel. A lap later despite JJ’s best efforts it was to be the Ka that led the duo over the line.
Result – 51-305-844-871-306-14-700-338-696-10
The Scottish Rods next outing is at Crimond this weekend. Mad Jock
Crimond – 03/08/08
Mad Jock reports: The Scottish Rods again returned to Crimond for their seventeenth outing of the 2008 season with 7 Rods making the grid. Included in this lower than hoped for figure was Greg English, making the trip up from South of the Forth for his debut in the formula, using what looked like the former Shaz Law Mini. English’s debut took the total to 35 Rods to domestically race in Scotland so far in 2008.
With the morning rain gone, and the preceding formulas drying the track, the Hot Rods gridded for their first heat. At the green, Jason McDonald put his front row start to good use and built up a healthy lead until caught and passed by the 16-valve trio of John Buchan, Graeme Gordon and Brian Wilson entering the second half of the race. After a yellow flag stoppage, on the restart and despite having the front left wing rubbing against the tyre, Buchan pulled out a safe advantage from Gordon, who had Wilson filling his rear view mirror for most of the remaining laps. In the closing tours McDonald and Schrader clashed under braking for Track-shop turn, which saw McDonald spun and Schrader docked for contact.
Result – 300 (John Buchan) – 338 – 696-387-323 – N.O.F.
Heat 2 again saw Jason McDonald use the early laps to good effect to build a healthy advantage. Behind, a huge battle raged between John Buchan and Eddie Schraeder with eventually the CC gaining the advantage. Such was the effort needed by Buchan to overtake Schrader, Jason was far enough ahead that it was only in the dying laps that Buchan managed to get on terms with the 206 and find a way past as the laps fast ran out. Schrader in turn successfully held off Gordon for third by doggedly sticking to his favoured inside line.
Result – 300 -387-323-338-307
Final time, and McDonald once again made a clean break at the start, but this time the 16-valve cars reeled him in easily, with a determined Schrader at the head of the pack and an equally determined Buchan trying to blast around the outside. Just after halfway, a wee twitch from McDonald on the exit of the pit bend saw the car go into a powerslide, and the loss in momentum left the chasing pack with little to do but tag an already sideways Jason into a spin and out of the leading group. This still left Schrader and Buchan side by side, but in the closing laps the ever sideways Schrader got a bit too sideways entering the home straight. This was to cost John Buchan in second dearly as the sliding Fiesta delayed the CC and both Gordon and Wilson with that extra second to react took advantage to pass the delayed CC. With the laps fast running out Buchan had no time to recover the lost places; equally, there was no time for the chasing trio to mount a serious challenge on the Fiesta which took the flag ahead of the Tigra, 206 and CC.
Result – 323 (Eddie Schraeder) – 338 – 696-300-387
The Scottish Rods are next on track this Saturday when they return to Cowdie. Mad Jock (With thanks to Scott Keith).
Crimond – 27/07/08
Mad Jock reports: The Scottish Rods gathered at Crimond for their sixteenth date of the year on Sunday. With holidays possibly taking their toll it was a very much-reduced grid of just 7 cars that lined up. It could have been even worse as included in this figure were two GMP travellers; both Karl Price and Brian Wilson making the journey up from Fife.
Heat 1 saw Garry Ingram and Jason McDonald lead the grid off the line, but it wasn’t long before the 206 of Karl Price loomed in the mirrors and then took over. Karl immediately built up a substantial lead whilst John Buchan had a big battle to find a way past Eddie Schrader. Eventually the #300 CC found a path past Schrader for second, but by that time Price was too far into the distance for any serious challenge to be mounted.
Result – 114 (Karl Price) – 300 – 323 – 333 – 696-387-333
Heat 2 saw Karl look to make it two in a row and the #114 – 206 lead for a fair part of the race. Behind however Eddie Schrader was rejuvenated and the Fiesta was flying round. Having dropped the other red roof’s in its effort to catch the 206, eventually Schrader passed Karl for the lead. Behind, Graeme Gordon eventually got the better of John Buchan to claim third place.
Result – 323 (Eddie Schraeder) – 114-338-300-696-387-333
The final saw Karl again gain an early lead and this time there was to be no opportunity for the fast moving 206 to be caught. Schrader took over in second, but despite Eddie’s best attempts Price wasn’t going to be denied the double, Schraeder finishing a comfortable second. John Buchan was unable to close the gap on the leading duo and had to work hard to fend off the attentions of Graeme Gordon who was looking for that third place.
Result – 114 (Karl Price) – 323-300-338-696-387-333
The Scottish Rods are next on track back at Cowdie in 2 weeks time. Mad Jock (with thanks to Scott Keith)
Cowdie – July 19th
Conditions – Dry & Mild
Mad Jock reports: The second part of the Scottish season got underway with the Rods fifteenth 2008 date. Cowdie on July 19 saw a lower grid than has been this season’s norm - just 11 cars - holidays probably accounting for the lower than normal numbers. However, included in this figure was the unusual, but welcome sight of an English Rod on a Scottish domestic grid in 2008 as Stuart Carter #85 made the trip. Hopefully a few others will join Stu on the road in the future. Gary Black, having acquired sponsorship from a dairy, appeared with his 206 now sporting a new appropriate paint job, the 206 now looking like an Aberdeen Angus on four wheels instead of hoofs!
Heat 1, in near perfect conditions saw Paul Wightman carry on where he left off last time at KH as the Ka stepped off the line to lead the grid away. It was a lead Paul was never to relinquish as it soon became apparent that the Ka’s last performance was no fluke, nor simply the unique tri-oval suiting the budget rod.
Some good battles down the field between JJ and Carter and Bain and McVay produced a race that kept the attention. However at the flag the Ka was comfortably clear to take its maiden Racewall victory. Karl Price followed a distant second, with Ian Donaldson’s 205 completing the top 3 in his 205 - in doing so, holding Carter off; JJ completing the top 5.
Result – 51 (Paul Whiteman) – 114-700-85-305-88-696-601-10-54
Heat 2 saw the same scenario with Wightman's buzzbox disappearing off the line to build a decent lead despite still being a little loose on the bends. However, pretty soon it was again a case of who would follow Paul home? Again it was Karl Price who came closest as he fended off the late challenge of Stuart Carter who had an enthralling race long duel with JJ as the two Tigras battled it out. Brian Wilson followed the Tigras over the line to complete the top 5. At the flag the Ka was virtually the length of a straight clear to record a convincing victory ahead of machinery many times its value.
Result – 51-114-85-305-696-10-54-88-700
The final saw, for the third time, the now well-sorted Ka storm off the line. This time however Karl Price was to latch onto the Ka and over the first half of the race there was little daylight between the Ka and 206. That was all to change around half distance as the 206 ground to a halt, leaving Wightman a comfy lead. Eventually Carter got the better of JJ and into second, and with a clear track between himself and Wightman, set off in pursuit. It was however, to be a fruitless chase, with the Ka crossing the line as the Englishman exited pitbend to round off an impressive hat-trick, Wightman’s first in probably at least 17 years.
The Scottish Rods are next in action at Crimond next weekend. Mad Jock.
Crimond – July 5/6
Mad Jock reports: Ipswich wasn’t the only Rodding weekend on over the 5th and 6th of July, as 600 miles north of Ipswich, the Scottish Rods were in action at Crimond over two days. Racing for the Munster Trophies, Crimond was celebrating the 20th anniversary of the badged visitors venturing north.
Despite the Ipswich meeting and holidays in full-swing, the pleasing entry of 11 rods included a debut from 396 Fraser Kotlewski, driving the Brian Wilson car he sponsors, along with the return of Jason McDonald, whose engine arrived in the nick of time on Friday.
In comparison to the torrents of rain at the previous meeting, an overcast Saturday evening saw a very fine mist of precipitation fall at times (couldnae call it drizzle cos it wasn't heavy enough!) meaning dry tyres were definitely the order of the day for the opening two heats, albeit overall grip from the track was slightly reduced.
Heat 1 saw Sandy Allen, Jason McDonald and Stuart Cowie lead the pack away with Steve Manett getting the break from the red grade, and he was soon blasting around the lower graders into the lead. Behind, John Buchan, Graeme Gordon and James Jamieson were locked in battle, with Jamieson unable to find a way past the squabbling duo in front of him. Towards the end of the race, Stuart Cowie went for a spin on the exit of the pit bend but thankfully the car rolled back towards the inner armco, keeping him off the racing line. Just as he was about to rejoin, the greasy track caught out Jamieson on the same bend and the 305 car was left facing the oncoming traffic, before eventually rejoining down the order. Buchan finally broke clear of Gordon but could do nothing to stop Manett taking the win.
Heat 1 Result - 303, 300, 338, 306, 305, 323, 387, 307, 20, 311, nof
Heat 2 and the only other Rod race on Saturday got off to a hectic start as the pack quickly bunched up during the opening laps and saw some extremely close doorhandle to doorhandle and nose to tail action, with cars thundering into the bends three abreast at times! Try as he might, the gaps were not falling Jamieson's way and this time Manett and Buchan had broken clear from the pack and were soon battling for the lead, which Buchan seized by blasting around the outside of the TT. Jamieson was once again stuck behind a side-by-side battle, this time Schrader and Gordon with the latter making the outside line work and likewise Jamieson, but both were too late to make any impact on the leading pair.
Heat 2 Result: 300, 303, 338, 305, 323, 306, 307, 387, 396, 311, nof
Sunday afternoon dawned dry but minus Jamieson, who may be thankful of being otherwise engaged in what was to prove a destructive day's racing. The weekend's third heat saw Jason Duncan make the most of early lap squabbling between the red tops to work his way to the front, but just as he took the lead, the red top convoy arrived on the scene and triggered off the first major incident of the afternoon. Stuart Cowie was keeping his Mini to the inside line heading up the pit bend but left a gap on exit, allowing Graeme Gordon the chance to poke his nose up the inside. Cowie tried to close the door but was clipped by the Tigra, and although Gordon quickly applied the brakes, the Mini was already unsettled. Stuart overcorrected the slide and veered left into the hard charging John Buchan, who also had Eddie Schrader on his outside. The impact from the Mini sent the CC skywards before landing and sending all three cars into a spin, with Steve Manett having nowhere to go but slide into the pile-up, resulting in waved yellows. Whilst Schrader, Cowie and eventually Buchan retired, Manett rejoined with the front splitter and the rear wing of the TT hanging loose to salvage third, whilst out front Jason Duncan held off the attentions of Graeme Gordon to take a win for the Duratec.
Heat 3 Result: 306, 338, 303, 396, 311, 20, 387, nof
The fourth and final heat saw Duncan work his way to the front of the field, but Buchan was quickly on the scene and a tough battled ensued. The CC ducked inside and outside down the straights, looking for a gap around the Fiesta whilst the waved blue flag warned the leader to stick to a racing line. Just before halfway, the inevitable happened as Buchan dived for an apparent gap on the inside of turn 3, which quickly diminished as Duncan dived back towards the apex. Contact was unavoidable and the 306 car spun, with the luckless Gordon having little option but to slide to a stop as he found his line blocked. Duncan quickly rejoined with Buchan now in the lead ahead of a battle scarred Manett - now substantially lacking in rear end grip thanks to the non-existent rear wing - although as the chequer flew, Buchan was docked two places for his part in the clash with Duncan, handing Manett his second win of the weekend.
Heat 4: 303, 306, 300, 311, 396, 338, nof
Seven of the 11 cars that started the weekend survived for the Final, although the grid in top points scoring order was without second top scorer Duncan, who elected to stay in the pits after the action in the final heat. That left Manett on pole from Buchan and Gordon, with Chick Laing's trouble-free approach to his racing earning him fourth on the grid ahead of Kotlewski, McDonald and Schrader. On the opening warm-up lap, Manett inadvertently slid into the side of fellow front row starter Buchan as he was reminded of the lack of downforce in the decidedly second hand TT! At the green, Manett clung to the inside although was resigned to the fact Buchan would out-grip him around the outside. However as the leading trio of 303, 300 and 338 began their second lap, behind them Laing was sent crunching into the tyrewall whilst battling side-by-side with McDonald, leaving Kotlewski with nowhere to go but slam into the stricken Clio. Schrader's damage-filled afternoon was concluded as his car clipped the pile-up and broke his outside front suspension. The four survivors were soon reduced to three as McDonald retired soon after the complete restart with more mechanical woes. That left the three amigos to battle it out for the trophies, and as expected Manett had little answer to first Buchan and then Gordon, although the latter appeared to put on quite a charge to latch onto the CC in a battle for the lead that Buchan held onto till the chequer.
Final: 300, 338, 303, nof
The Scottish Rods next appearance is at Cowdie on July 17th. Mad Jock
Crimond – 22nd July. Conditions – soggy
Mad Jock reports: The Scottish Rods arrived at Crimond for their twelfth date of the 2008 season on a weekend that saw many parts of Scotland suffer severe rainstorms, which perhaps partly explained the lowest turnout of the season - just 6 cars arriving at Rodding’s Northern Outpost. Amongst the small grid was Karl Price, the only GMP visitor.
Heat 1 set off in atrocious conditions with the rain starting on Saturday night continuing non-stop into Sunday afternoon. Gary Ingram was the first to be caught by the weather, spinning his BMW Mini on the warm-up laps, thereafter opting to start from the back of the grid. John Buchan was the early leader in heat 1 with JJ for company; JJ however, despite the conditions, took to the outside and eventually gained the lead over the CC, which he was never to relinquish. Whilst the Tigra was to stay out in front for the rest of the race, in the closing stages it had to survive a massive aquaplane nearly ending in the “deep-end” on turn 1 as a result.
Result – 305(JJ) – 300-323-338-114-333
With the rain continuing to fall and accumulate, the inside line could now be described as the shallow end, whilst the outside line and the safe areas beyond each corner were lochs - beneath over a foot of water. As a result proceedings were brought to a halt for 20 minutes as track staff used a JCB to dig a channel beyond Crimond’s tyre-wall.
By the time heat 2 arrived on track the tide had thankfully gone out and 5 Rods took to the track with Karl Price remaining in the pits. Improved conditions and even fewer cars meant JJ had less trouble this time on the way to the chequers as again he took the outside route round the 300–CC.
Result – 305-300-338-323-333
By the time the final arrived on track the rain had at last eased. John Buchan was again the early leader after Graeme Gordon’s Tigra struggled to leave the line - appearing to rev freely with either the clutch slipping, or poor traction. Again it was a story of JJ having to negotiate the Buchan-CC, which he did after a couple of door handle-to-door handle laps, before going onto complete his hat-trick.
Result – 305-300-323—338-333
The Scottish Rods are next back on track at Crimond on their speedweekend – 5th/6thJuly. (With thanks to Scott Keith) Mad Jock
Knockhill - World Cup - 15th June
Mad Jock reports: For the third consecutive week the Scottish Rods found themselves with a GMP fixture, as they made their way for the only time in 2008 to the Knockhill tri-oval.
Three new cars and two returning drivers were amongst the GMP contingent which unfortunately was the only contingent with the grid devoid of both Crimond and English cars.
After calling it a day at the end of last season - with many believing after 25 years racing it was this time for good - the meeting did nevertheless see the return of the former double gold roof Ian McGuigan, in a superbly presented ex-circuit 206.
Ger Wilson also chose this meeting to have his first run of 2008 taking the total number of Scottish Rods to have raced this year to 34. Graeme Callender was present for the first time in the ex-Gomm circuit Colt, whilst Billy Bonnar, having clobbered his 206 last time out at Cowdie, gave his CC its first Scottish run in 2008.
Heat 1 saw 16 cars leave the grid to start the search for the Outlaw gold roof for 2008 and perhaps the race wasn’t the pattern many suspected. JJ was to open the day with a victory, but was chased to the line by Ron Mac, in not exactly the youngest car on the grid, Ron perhaps getting the best from the Honda to date. Equally Gary Black got the best so far out of his former Buchan 206 to complete the top 3.
Result – 305 (James Jamieson) 187- 9-696-54-844-700-888-871-232
Heat 2 again saw the ageing Honda show some sprightly pace and as a result Ron Mac quickly out in front. Needless to say JJ worked his way through the field arriving in second at around half distance. His subsequent pursuit chasing down the ageing Honda proved fruitless with McKenzie still a few lengths clear at the flag. Karl Price followed JJ over the line to complete the major placings.
Result – 187(Ron Mac) – 305-114-700-844-51-888-10-34
The World Cup saw another surprise as Paul Wightman surged off the line into the lead in his Ka, a Rod that is reputed to have cost just Ł1k to get on track. With Wightman getting the best out of the Ka to date, Paul quickly built up a useful and substantial advantage, as JJ again powered through from the back. Around a quarter distance, Chas Bain spun on the exit of the hairpin causing a bit of chaos, which thankfully didn’t involve contact. However with the rear wheels of the stranded 206 on the sloping infield grass unable to gain traction, the yellows were brought out to recover the 206. At a stroke Wightman’s substantial lead - almost the length of the long bottom straight - was gone, with JJ on his back panel for the restart.
On the restart it didn’t take long for JJ to find a way past the Ka, which then surprisingly doggedly stuck within striking distance of the Tigra for much of the remainder of the race. Only in the last quarter did the Tigra put some comfortable daylight between itself and Wightman, as JJ went on to complete a successful defence of his gold roof, Billy Bonnar completing the top 3.
Hot Rod World Cup – 305 – 51-844-114-54-187-700-232-34-10
The Scottish Rods next appearance is this coming Sunday at Crimond, and they now don’t return to GMP territory until August. Mad Jock
Cowdenbeath – 7th June
Mad Jock reports: The tenth fixture of the season and the third in 8 days again brought the Scottish Rods to Cowdie. Unusually, for the second time in a row, it was a warm sunny evening. Considering the frequency of meetings, it was another decent grid with 15 cars appearing - including the return of Ron Mac.
Heat 1 saw the pack engage in a race long pursuit of Ian Donaldson who was making the best use possible of his yellow roof and again led for the majority of the race. Highlight of the opening heat was the immense battle between Gary Black and JJ which raged for over 5 laps before JJ finally found away past the 206 on lap 10. With 3 to go the fast running yellow-roofed Donaldson 205 finally surrendered the lead to the 206 of Karl Price and it looked like JJ would follow. Hhowever the hard driving yellow roof wasn’t about to make life easy for the Tigra and followed Karl over the line with JJ on his back panel for third.
Result - 88-700-305-844-9-114-54-696-232-187
Heat 2 saw Craig McLaren the early leader before Donaldson burst past. The pursuit this time was led by Karl Price with Pete McVay for company. Fate on this occasion wasn’t going to help Donaldson, as when still comfortably clear, Billy Bonnar made heavy contact with the back straight wall, which brought out the yellows. After the heavily damaged 206 was retrieved the 205 led the field away. With JJ taking time to come through the field as the gold roof had a hard time getting past the Scottish silver roof of Brian Wilson, the leading trio were disappearing into the distance. Lap 14 was eventually where Karl found the gap to squeeze past the 205 with McVay’s Mini following through, and that’s how they finished with JJ again collecting third.
Result – 114 (K.Price) 88-305-54-700-696-9-232-187-192-34
Final time, and for a change, Donaldson’s early lead was to only survive for 5 laps before Pete McVay took over. The heat 2 winner maintained the lead for another 6 laps as the Tigra of JJ closed the gap, before - on lap 12 - finding the gap and taking over. For the remaining 6 laps the front-running three maintained the same order with JJ becoming the third winner of the evening.
Result – 305(JJ) 88-700-114-232-696-34-187
The Scottish Rods are next on track next Sunday as for the third consecutive week. GMP give the formula a Knockhill fixture with the running of the World Cup, thereby giving JJ the opportunity to defend his gold roof, as the Rods are accompanied to the tri-oval by the BriSCA F1’s. Mad Jock
Cowdenbeath - 31st May & Crimond – 1st June
Mad Jock reports: For the first time in ’08, a weekend that offered the Rods two meetings - with both GMP and Crimond running the formula. Saturday saw the formula’s first outing of the weekend with the Rods 8th date of the year in a meeting of unusual content at the Racewall. With both the saloons and F2 formulas unusually absent, the Rods were given the opportunity tae headline, and did so with an impressive 17 car grid.
Seasonal debuts from Karl Price, Sandy Allen, Alan Finnie and Stuart Walker took the total of Scottish Rods to race in 2008 to 31 in just 8 meetings.
17 Rods set off in perfect conditions on a rare sunny Cowdie evening, Ian Donaldson led the grid off the line in his aging, but rapid pinto-powered 205 to build his now traditional early lead. Behind the 205, a five-car group disputed the places with JJ, Leadingham, Manett, Bonnar and - until half distance – McVay also involved. With the chasing pack battling each other, the boards were out with the 205 still out in front and it looked like Donaldson might just hold off much more modern machinery. However, with 2 to go the Tigra closed, found the gap, and went on to collect the chequers. Donaldson held on for a well deserved second, with Leadingham completing the top 3.
Result – 305 (JJ) – 700-14-303-844-10-696-88-9-232
Heat 2, for a change, saw Craig McLaren grab the early lead, only for a lap later Donaldson to come past, and the subsequent pattern of this race was similar to heat one, with the Peugeot again out in front whilst more modern machinery played catch up.
With 3 laps to go Donaldson still led the way with Pete McVay leading a five-car pack in serious chase. With 2 laps to go it was a fast running quintet with Donaldson leading, Bonnar, McVay, JJ and Wilson for company. On lap 16 the lead group entered pitbend and JJ took a lunge up the inside, as a result all hell broke loose as McVay smacked the concrete, Donaldson did likewise only to bounce back and be collected by the luckless Bonnar which returned Donaldson to the concrete. JJ scrambled through, and with the yellow flags out the race was at that point declared with the result controversially going JJ’s way.
Result – 305-696-54-9-114-232-N.O.F.
The final perhaps surprisingly saw13 of the original 17 come to the grid and that even more surprisingly included Donaldson, despite the extensive damage incurred in the previous race. The “action” started on the warm-up lap as Bonnar was unintentionally rubbed up the wall by Sneddon who probably didn’t realise Billy was in his 7 o’clock.
Donaldson stepped off the line to be the early leader, however this time it was a lead that was to only last 5 laps as the yellows came out after 844 - entering pitbend - went straight on with a flat, that no doubt as a result of his trip along the concrete in the 2 warm up laps.
On the restart, Leadingham took over in front, the gold-painted Fiesta then edged ahead of the pack with some seriously good racing occurring behind. JJ had caught up with Steve Manett in the ex-Haird TT, the Tigra and the TT then subsequently spent two tours side by side before the Tigra managed to cut inside, just as the TT found a box of neutrals.
Lap 11 saw JJ appear on Leadingham’s tail and a couple of laps later the Tigra moved the Fiesta aside, Leadingham as a result collecting some concrete. The main challenge for the rest of the race came from the TT which had again having found a gear followed JJ over the line less than two car-lengths adrift.
Result – 305-303-696-9-54-114-700-232-14-34
Crimond report - updated version added 07/06
Just over 12 hours after Cowdie finished, the Rods fired up at Crimond for the ninth date in the Scottish calendar on a dry, chilly day.
With the Scottish Rods also appearing at the Frazerburgh Car show (John Buchan) and Truck Fest at Knockhill the same day, it was 11 cars that came to the grid. Over the weekend four drivers appeared at both meetings, those being JJ, Steve Manett, Brian Wilson and Sandy Allen. It was therefore an impressive 24 rods in total to race in Scotland over the weekend. Seasonal debuts from Sandy Allen and #364 took the total of Rods to race in Scotland to 33 after nine meetings.
Heat 1: with John Buchan absent and Eddie Schraeder now regraded to red, Graeme Gordon had the opportunity to extend his lead at the top of the points. It wasn’t however going to be an easy afternoon for Gordon with JJ and Schraeder for company at the back of the grid along with the reborn TT of Steve Manett
Whilst there was little to choose between the Tigra and TT in straight-line speed, the Tigra appeared to have the edge in the corners. With Manett and JJ battling it out upfront, Gordon and Wilson were having an equal battle behind. Into the final lap it looked like Manett’s TT would hang on for the victory, until a spinning back-marker forced the TT to brake and swerve. JJ, following, had that little extra time to react and managed to go round the outside of both cars and collect the victory in a clean fast race with 10 cars running at the flag.
Result – 305 (JJ) – 303-696-338-307-333-323-311-365-20
Heat 2 saw two early casualties as Gordon withdrew with drive-train issues, whilst Chick Laing withdrew with a lack of brakes! Heat 2 was where JJ’s winning run finally came to an end. JJ and Wilson were having an immense battle running alternately side by and alternatively nose to tail; JJ eventually found his way round the 206 only for Wilson to spear the Tigra entering the third turn taking both cars out the race. The steward viewed the incident as deliberate contact and as a result Wilson was loaded up. JJ recovered to be the last car running as the TT collected the win that always looked like coming as the weekend progressed.
Result – 303 (S.Manett) –323-333-365-305
The Final brought more bad luck for the second Tigra on the grid, as with Buchan’s absence, Graeme Gordon was looking to increase his points advantage - a possible stripped diff this time ending the Tigra’s race. The destruction continued, although this time not of a mechanical nature. Unfortunately the tidy Clio of Darren Begg ran wide exiting turn 2 and with a sickening thud it was sucked into the tyrewall and on the rebound collected by Sandy Allen. On the restart JJ managed to get his taped-up Tigra past the TT to collect his second win of the afternoon.
Result 305 – 303-323-307-333-365.
The Rods’ next outing is this Saturday, as they unusually do two consecutive Cowdie’s. Mad Jock
Crimond – 18th May
Mad Jock reports: Crimond was the venue for the seventh date in the Scottish 2008 calendar with a decent 10-car local entry for the prestigious Norman Cowie Memorial. With the F2’s very unusually absent from a Crimond fixture, F2 driver Graham Kelly took the opportunity to have a one off outing in the offshore Steve Manett’s TT. Adding further to the grid was Darren Begg taking the total to 27 drivers to race in Scotland this year.
Heat 1 saw Eddie Schraeder storm off the front of the grid and make the most of his last opportunity to run from the front before the new roof colours apply. Schraeder quickly built a big lead and basically it was about JJ’s pursuit. Eventually the Tigra closed the gap, but Schraeder - despite his trademark understeer - hugged the inside line doggedly forcing JJ to take the outside route. With equal stubbornness JJ refused to be beaten in taking the long way round and at the flag just managed to get the Tigra’s nose in front when it mattered.
Result – 305 (JJ) – 323-338-300-307-306-30-311-365
Heat 2 and Stuart Cowie’s Mini failed to get off the line and got collected lightly by Darren Begg resulting in a complete restart. On the second attempt, Schraeder again stepped off the line to lead the race away. Again it was a question of who, if any, could catch the former red roof. JJ inevitably was in pursuit, but on this occasion Jamieson had John Buchan and Graeme Gordon for company. The Fiesta stuck on this occasion, to the inside line like glue, and with Buchan and Gordon keeping JJ company, the Tigra wasn’t encouraged to take to the outside route. At the line it was therefore Schraeder leading JJ, with Gordon and Buchan for close company.
Result – 323 (Eddie Schraeder) – 305-338-300-306-30-311-365
Final time saw the running of the Norman Cowie Memorial. The final stages of this race provided the action with a superb battle commencing between Schraeder, JJ, Gordon and Buchan. Not for the first time, JJ and Schraeder had been side by side, with Gordon and Buchan waiting for the opportunity. On three occasions Gordon made late breaking attempts when it looked like Schraeder may have been about to leave the door open, and to all four drivers’ credit, contact was avoided.
Schraeder crossed the line first, only to be docked two places when the results were given, having been deemed to have strayed to wide on the final bends with JJ running on his outside. However, on this occasion JJ was ineligible for the win under the 100% attendance rule as requested by the Cowie family. It was therefore Eddie Schraeder who was awarded the Norman Cowie Memorial title as the day’s top point scorer, ahead of Gordon and Buchan who along with JJ had all combined to provide a day of superb rod racing.
Norman Cowie Memorial Result – 305(JJ) –338-323-300-306-307-503-365
The Scottish Rods next appear on track in two weeks time at Cowdie on the Saturday, followed by Crimond on Sunday. Mad Jock (With thanks to Scott Keith)
Cowdie – 10/11 May
Open Scottish Championship
Mad Jock reports: After a day of bright warm sunshine that promised to provide perfect racing conditions, the journey down to Cowdie proved the promising evening forecast wasn’t going to be lived up to, as blue skies turned grey.
Saturday was about qualifying for the following day’s Open Scottish Championship with 3 heats programmed during the evening.
The locals were joined by a disappointing 4 visitors, Graeme Gordon and Norman Leadingham the only two Crimond drivers to make the trip, whilst the two English visitors were Ivan Grayson and Paul Bennett.
Adding to the usual GMP contingent was Pete McVay making his season-debut with his 206 now dressed as a BMW Mini, along with Ian Donaldson in his tidy 205. Brett Sneddon chose the weekend to make his Rodding debut in a 206, the total number of Rods to race in Scotland in 2008 now standing after just 5 meetings at a very healthy 26. If only we could get them all in the same place at one time!
Heat 1 set off on a wet track with Jason McDonald leading the way in his very tidy 206, it was a lead that was to only last a single lap in the greasy conditions before Ian Donaldson took over. Donaldson then did the front-running for a further 6 laps before Norman Leadingham’s Fiesta took over and held on for the victory with JJ, Grayson and Bain hounding the Fiesta to the flag; less than a second separating the four.
Result – 14 Norman Leadingham, 305-136-10-844-696-338-700
Heat 2 saw probably the most difficult conditions of the evening. As the race left the grid, Pete McVay - having no luck in his tidy BMW Mini - retired for the second time to behind the goal. Jason McDonald grabbed the early lead which was to be relatively short lived before Ivan Grayson took over 3 laps later. Slight contact between JJ and Bonnar coming out of pitbend then saw the 844 –206 coast to retirement at the end of the stand straight.
Grayson’s biggest challenge came in the closing laps with both Jamieson and Leadingham closing the gap, however it was to be the Englishman’s red and white Peugeot at the flag by a couple of car lengths
Result – 136-305-14-696-601-700-10-387-232
The third and final heat of the evening saw Paul Whiteman join the evening’s proceedings as Ian Donaldson took the early lead and subsequently held off much more modern machinery until past half distance, despite the attentions of Grayson, JJ, Leadingham and Bain. The main action happened as the race reached its finale with Leadingham finally finding a route past the 205 on lap 12 and a lap later Grayson, JJ and Donaldson all swapped places. At the flag it was JJ leading Grayson over the line followed by Donaldson and Bain.
However, JJ celebrated with a doughnut, and that now at Cowdie - under health & safety rules - is strictly forbidden. The penalty, as it was in the F2’s for Gordon Moodie a week, before was complete disqualification, leaving Grayson to inherit his second win of the evening, Leadingham and Donaldson inheriting second and third. Ominously, for the following day, as the cars slowed both Leadingham and Whiteman’s cars were engulfed in ominous smoke.
Result 136- Grayson – 14-700-10-601-387-232-51
On to Sunday, and the part two. Thankfully the puddles of the night before were replaced by dry tarmac and a warm afternoon and both Leadingham and Whiteman were on the grid.
The first race of the day was the fourth and final qualifying heat. Ian Donaldson led the 16-car field away, holding the lead until the Fiesta of Leadingham loomed in his mirrors 4 laps later. At this point the gold Fiesta slipped up the inside to take over and build a lead Leadingham wasn’t to surrender. JJ was making his usual progress through the traffic with Grayson and Black for company, but on this occasion the Tigra couldn’t get on terms with the Fiesta and had to settle for third behind Chas Bain who followed Leadingham over the line about 3 car-lengths adrift.
Result – 14 (Norman Leadingham) – 10-305-136-9-844-696
The second race of the afternoon was the Open Scottish Championship contested over 20 laps. Fourteen qualifiers stepped off the grid and Grayson established an early lead with the pack in close attendance. Grayson’s lead lasted until halfway when having made steady progress through the field the blue Tigra made its inevitable appearance in his mirrors. At half distance JJ slipped by and then quickly built a substantial lead, which later he would require.
As JJ disappeared into the distance a battle royal was raging behind as 6 cars argued over second with Grayson, Leadingham, Sneddon, Bonnar, Newall and Gordon all battling it out. The chasing pack may have finished in this order if Grayson hadn’t in the final quarter received rear end damage, which significantly slowed the Peugeot. The drama wasn’t at this point just happening in the chasing pack, as up front, the Tigra was starting to sound significantly rough, popping and banging its way round Cowdie’s bends. The lead, which at one time was substantial started to rapidly dwindle, as the ailing Tigra concluded the final laps with Leadingham’s Fiesta steadily closing. Eventually JJ crossed the line with the chasing Fiesta also out the final corner with Billy Bonnar a further 5 car-lengths adrift.
Open Scottish Hot Rod Championships result
305 (JJ) – 14- 844-601-338-232-9-10-88-696
The sixth and final Rod race of the weekend was an “Allcomers” and significantly - perhaps given the concluding laps of the Open Scottish race - the blue 305 Tigra was missing from the grid. Brett Sneddon, improving continuously as the weekend passed, led the race until 1/3 distance, when Leadingham’s rapid, if ageing, Fiesta took over and wasn’t seriously troubled from there to the flag.
The main action of this race came around half distance when Brian Wilson’s Peugeot, halfway down the back straight, was turned into the concrete and Billy Bonnar black-flagged for his troubles.
On the resumption Leadingham wasn’t to be seriously troubled, whilst never losing the Sneddon 206. The two eventually crossed the line about 4 car-lengths apart, to bring to a conclusion a highly entertaining weekends racing. This was especially true on the Sunday, when conditions were significantly better and brought about an afternoon of fast, and thankfully largely clean, racing.
The Scottish Rods are next on track next Sunday at Crimond and return to the Racewall in three weeks time. Mad Jock
Crimond – 4th May
Mad Jock reports: Meeting 5 of the Scottish season saw Crimond unusually have its second event in as many weeks to accommodate this coming weekend’s doubleheader at Cowdie.
A bright but cold afternoon greeted the seven Rods to make the grid; amongst the missing were the offshore Steve Manett and the suspended JJ, whilst Brian Wilson (696) was the only GMP car present.
Jamieson has been handed a three race/one meeting ban, with the same again suspended, after his actions at the last Crimond meeting. This was first for the initial heavy contact on Brian Wilson, and then for refusing to obey the black flag. JJ is therefore clear to resume racing at Crimond from May 18. The ban however does not affect any GMP meetings, (the promotion JJ is registered with) thus allowing him to compete in this weekend’s Open Scottish.
Heat 1 had a lively start with Graeme Gordon supplying the entertainment along with too much power, and as a result tank slapping his way down the home straight, eventually spinning out in front of Brian Wilson. It could have been worse as Wilson’s attempts at avoiding the careering Tigra meant the two Rods only eventually clipped each other; the yellows were then quickly brought out to aid the stranded Tigra.
On the restart it was a huge battle between John Buchan and Eddie Schraeder, with Graeme Gordon on a huge charge (this time in a straight line!) in his effort to catch the leaders. It was a three car battle to the line with Schraeder holding a tight line as Buchan looked for the inside route and Gordon waited for the chance that finally came as he and John Buchan side by side went for the line, the Tigra just beating the CC to the line for second.
Result: 323 Eddie Schraeder – 338-300-306-696-387-311
Heat 2 saw Schraeder’s luck change, as with clutch problems it was a rolling 323 at the back of the grid for an otherwise clutch start. Further problems for Schraeder weren’t far away as the suspension on the Rod decided to go the same way as the clutch, resulting in the Clio attacking the tyrewall in the closing laps. John Buchan took the flag for this one with Brian Wilson following John home as Graeme Gordon completed the top 3.
Result: 300 (John Buchan) –696- 338-387-306- N.O.F.
Final time and Schraeder was back on track for his second victory of the afternoon, as Eddie just led the CC of John Buchan over the line, Graeme Gordon again making up the top 3.
Result: 323 – 300-338-696-387-306.
This weekend sees the running of the Hot Rod Open Scottish over two days at Cowdie, along with the Ray Gunn tribute. Hopefully the grid will be added to by a decent travelling contingent from Crimond. This might include a track debut by Eddie Schraeder, who has certainly proved to be immediately competitive after nearly a decade away. A decent English contingent would be welcome and could therefore result in a very healthy turnout. Mad Jock (With thanks to Scott Keith)
Crimond – 27th April
Mad Jock reports: Crimond was again the venue for the Scottish Rods fourth appearance in 2008. This time it was an 11 car field which included three season-debuts. 311, long-time Crimond stalwart Chick Laing, appeared in a 16v Clio, 333 Gary Ingram in a pinto-powered Mini, and Ian Ostrau used a group A Starlet. The season total now stands at 23 Scottish Rods to make the track after just four meetings.
Heat 1 got off to an eventful start with Ian Ostrau and Steve Manett having a coming together on pitbend, leaving the TT with nowhere to go. Eddie Schraeder was then the early leader, with JJ - after losing the 16v pack - closing rapidly. With Schraeder holding a tight line JJ was forced to take the long route and it was three door-handle to door-handle laps; JJ just failing at the flag to find a way past Schraeder by the depth of a bumper.
Result – 323 – 305-338-300-303-306-333-311-365
Heat 2 saw Eddie Schraeder gain his second victory of the afternoon after building up a significant lead which the 16v cars were never going to pull back once they broke clear of the pack. Steve Manett came closest, but was still well adrift at the flag.
Result – 323 – 303-338-305-300-306-333-696-311-365
Final time and the action happened! In the opening laps - under pressure from JJ on his outside - Brian Wilson drifted wide on turns ľ, leaving little room between the 305 car and the tyrewall. After taking avoiding action, Jamieson slotted back in behind the 696 machine and when Brian braked for turn 1, JJ didn't! As a result Wilson’s 206 was sent skywards and carried by the Tigra’s bonnet to turn 1, where it slid off to spin out the race. After ignoring the black flag for 3 laps, the yellow flags were brought out as JJ was asked to vacate the track! On the restart, Schraeder held off the pressure of John Buchan and Graeme Gordon to claim his hat-trick.
Result – 323- 338-300-306-696-333-365
The Scottish Rods next appearance is in 2 weeks time, again at the Northern Outpost, before returning a week later to the Racewall for the two-day Open Scottish Championship. Mad Jock (With thanks to Keith J. Scott)
Crimond – April 13th
Mad Jock reports: Crimond opened its 2008 season on a cold, dry, windy afternoon. With no GMP visitors it was left to the home drivers to provide the content, which they did with a nine car entry.
The entry included seven seasonal debuts, JJ and Jason Duncan being the exceptions. The total number of Rods on track this season in Scotland now stands at twenty after just three meetings. Debuting at this meeting was Stuart Cowie, son of former points champion Jim, who dominated at Crimond in the early 90’s
Heat one provided the first of two victories for JJ as he led home the multi-time track champion John Buchan, with Steve Manett making up the top 3.
Result – 305 (JJ) – 300- 303- 338-14-306-387-307
Heat 2 saw JJ gain his second victory of the afternoon with the second and third places the reverse of the earlier heat. There were only two other finishers in this one; Graeme Gordon bringing his Tigra home in fourth, Stuart Cowie completing the finishers.
Result – 305-303-300-338-307
The final brought the first win of the year for John Buchan in his CC as this time seven made it to the finish, Buchan taking the flag from Schrader and Gordon.
The Scottish rods next appearance is again at Crimond in 2 weeks time. Mad Jock (full results by Bill Barrack).
Cowdenbeath - April 5th
Mad Jock reports: The Scottish Rods made their second appearance of the season, which was again at Racewall on a dry but bitterly cold night. With no Crimond visitors, numbers stayed in single figures with a 9-car turnout. This figure included season-debuts from Ron Mac, Rab Norrie (in a shocking pink mini!) and Graeme Callender. The tenth car present - that of Stu Walker #54 - never left the pits, therefore 13 Rods have raced in the opening two meetings.
Heat 1 saw Newall take an early lead and that lasted until the tenth lap which included surviving a yellow flag after Norrie clouted the wall on lap 7. With his advantage gone, a fast moving JJ took over at the front 3 laps later, as Brian Wilson departed the race. Despite a clear track in front of him, JJ had Newall glued to his back panel all the way to the chequered flag, the two being separated by less than a car length at the finish.
Result – 305 (JJ)– 601-844-871-9-187-192
Heat 2 saw the field drop to just 7 cars, with neither Brian Wilson nor Rab Norrie appearing again during the evening. The opening 3 laps saw three different leaders as Yorkston, Callender, and then Newall did the front running. Newall again built up a substantial lead with JJ powering through from the back in his effort to catch the flying white roof. With just 7 cars on track there wasn’t much to delay Newall’s progress and it was only in the dying laps that JJ seriously appeared in the Corsa’s mirrors. With a lap to go, JJ was on Newall’s back panel, and that’s how they finished; David Newall collecting his maiden victory in the formula in only his second meeting. The top 3 was made up by Billy Bonner nursing his sick sounding 206 home for a distant third
Result – 601(Newall)–305-844- 871-187-9-192
Final time, and it was the same 7 cars that came to the grid, and the race followed a similar pattern to what had gone before. Yorkston led in his pinto-powered 206 for a single lap, then Graeme Callender took over for 3 laps before Newall took over and again built up a substantial lead with JJ again playing catch-up. This time, whilst JJ was again the fastest car on track, the victory was a little more comfortable for Newall as the Corsa led JJ over the line by about 4-5 car lengths. The results however promoted Graeme Callender one place to second, with JJ officially ending in third.
Result – 601 (Newall) – 871-305-844-187-9-192
With the next appearance of the Scottish Rods at Cowdie not until May when they have their 2-day Scottish Open Championship, the next three domestic fixtures are at Crimond, starting next Sunday as Crimond open their season. Mad Jock
Cowdenbeath - March 22nd
Mad Jock reports: The Scottish rods started the 2008 season at Cowdie with the programme confirming there will be two Scottish cars on the World Final grid in 2009 with qualifying rounds scheduled for both Cowdie and Crimond commencing after this year’s world final.
New cars on show were Robert Newall debuting the ex-Hunn/Marriott Corsa, Gary Black making his first appearance in the ex-John Buchan 206 and returning after a year’s sabbatical was Martin Yorkston in a Red 5 206. Chas Bain’s car was also resplendent in new colours as Jason Duncan’s Fiesta lost its shocking pink paintjob from last year, replaced by a more traditional colour scheme.
Heat one on a dry, but cold evening saw 10 cars leave the grid and immediately Newall stepped into the lead. It was a lead that he was to maintain until the 10th lap when the yellows unavoidably were brought out after Paul Whiteman’s Ka did a sharp left turn on entering pitbend and rammed the concrete virtually head-on with the concrete winning and the Ka in a sorry state, which will earn it an entry in Clattered Hot Rods.
Newall’s lead on the restart was gone and within a lap JJ moved into the lead, although the white roof remained in his mirrors all the way to the flag.
Result – 305 (JJ) – 601-844-10-696-306-192-9
Heat 2 amazingly saw Whiteman on the grid with the Ka held together with a mountain of tape at the front end. It was again Newall who grabbed the early lead and maintained a pace that meant it wasn’t until the 10th of 15 laps the JJ loomed in the mirror. With 5 to go and the gold roof crawling all over the back of the white roof, it might have been expected that JJ would slip easily past the Corsa, but it was another 2.5 laps before the Tigra found the gap to slip through. Even then it wasn’t a stroll for JJ as a lap later Newall had a big look up the inside entering the back straight before deciding to settle for second.
Result –305(JJ) –601-844-696-10-9-192-51
Final time and the weather had changed dramatically with heavy snow falling and the track decidedly greasy. As a result the slowest race of the night with the weather perhaps winning as much as JJ did, as he had to fight the conditions as much as the flying Corsa to complete his hat trick for the evening.
On this occasion with the weather making JJ’s pursuit of Newall all the more difficult, it wasn’t until 3 from home that the Tigra slipped by. Again making up the top 3, Billy Bonnar claimed his third-third place of the evening to round off the first meet of 2008.
Result - 305-601-844-696-10-306-9
The Scottish Rods are next on track in two weeks time with the second Cowdie meeting of the season, which will hopefully realise a larger field without clashing meetings in England. Crimond gets going the following week, which might hopefully encourage a few Crimond drivers to venture to Cowdie the week before. Mad Jock
Testing times!
Central Hot Rods, Hednesford, March 16th
Martin Kingston reports: Several National Hot Rods took the opportunity of the Central Hot Rod meeting at Hednesford Hills on 16 March to carry out testing on their cars. Others were there just to have some fun!
Steve Thompson was present in his new Tigra to do some dry weather testing, he was running on Hoosiers although only managed one heat before becoming a casualty with the wall early in the second heat. Chris Haird was out again in the John vd Bosch 206cc to evaluate the new Emmings VW engine in the dry; he too was running on Hoosiers. Russ Wilcox was also present, his aim to further improve his ex-Ralph Sanders 206 and running on an old set of Yokohama’s found buried in the back of his garage!
Other present included young newcomer Luke Armiger. Keen to get some more laps under his belt in 206cc, he had enjoyed his first meeting at Birmingham and had been surprised at the speed of the cars. Stu Carter was obviously meaning business as he was running on Avons. Welshman Mike Oliver had come and Ronnie McKenzie made the long trip down from Scotland only to have it all end in tears after hitting the wall hard in the second heat.
Peter Blood’s Corrado was there too for son Jack to race. After his performances at Birmingham, Peter was now a lot more optimistic about the car’s potential and performance. Of the local cars, there was an interesting mix - ranging from a Mk1 Escort through 205’s, 206’s, Clio’s, a Nova and a Fiesta.
With the Nationals starting the racing at the back it was the mk 1 Escort of Geoff Dixon that took up the early running, until Ivan Grayson took over in his rapid 205. Carter had got of to a demon start and it was not long before he caught Grayson and blasted round him to take the lead and the flag.
Heat 2 and for some reason no warm up laps were run, as the second half of the pack which included the Nationals entered the first turn on cold tyres. Blood ran into the back of Martin Dean while Haird and Thompson ran into the wall. A disgruntled Thompson was out and this was last of his racing for the day. It did not take too many more laps for Armiger to become the next casualty, he just clipped the wall with his rear coming out of turn four and ended up across the track. Again the race got going, but again another National casualty, this time is was McKenzie who hit the turn wall hard on turn 3-4, doing a good job of bending his steering and the end of his racing for the day. While all this had been going on, Grayson had again made his way to the front, Carter had been chasing hard but could not quite catch him at the chequers.
The final was a less bruising affair, Grayson again was soon into the lead, however Carter was not going to get an easy ride this time as a long battle between him and Oliver developed. At the front, Grayson ran out the winner, followed by a closing Mark Edwards with Ross Harrison third. Oliver held off Carter’s attentions to finish ahead of him in fourth. Martin Kingston. See Martin’s photos in the GALLERY
Heat 1: 85. 136, 120, 170, 128, 57, 45, 115, 187, 92
Heat 2: 136. 85, 45, 120, 92, 219, 115, 57, 3, 128
Final: 136, 45, 120, 57, 85, 219, 115, 125, 800, 92, 519
Cowdenbeath practice day - February 24th
Mad Jock reports: The Scottish Rods made their first appearance on track in ‘08 at Cowdie on Sunday at the pre-season practice session.
With no Crimond cars present, seven Rods appeared on a bright, if cold, afternoon; six of the Rods on show being last years cars. Included iamongst the seven Rods were two drivers that are new additions to the formula. Former Stock-Rodder Robert Newall (601) had his first run in the very smartly presented, ex-Marriot/Hunn Corsa. Chris McLaren was the second new addition to the ranks using the former Inglis 206. McLaren’s dad Ronnie raced in the formula back in the Nitten days.
Over the three runs the Rods had during the afternoon John Sibbald proved to be fastest of the day with a best time of 14.09, McVay, Newall and Ross in the 14.3’s.
With Knockhill largely gone from the fixture list with just a solitary appearance, the current 28-date fixture list starts in three week’s time, with the first of 11 outings for the formula at Cowdie in 2008. Crimond comes in with 16 dates, whilst Knockhill hosts the World Cup.
Major dates for 2008 are the GMP Open Scottish Championship over two days in May, the Hot Rod World Cup in June at Knockhill, and the GMP Scottish Championship on a date to be decided. Crimond rounds off the major dates with their Open Scottish Championship scheduled for September.
Lastly - and sadly - during the winter storm last month, one of Crimond’s stands was blown over resulting in the death of a sheep, standing in the wrong place at the wrong time! Mad Jock
National Hot Rod Winternationals
Ballymena - 01/01/08
Darren Black reports: British Champion Stewart Doak continued his rich vein of form when he scooped the win in the National Hot Rod Winternationals at Ballymena Raceway on New Year’s Day.
There was a disappointing entry of just seven cars for this one, with 4 locals being joined by Tom Casey and lady racer Sylvia Tobin from the Republic, and by Wilson Hamilton who returned to his old stomping ground on his usual festive home-visit from his Worcestershire base. With several local cars on their way to South Africa, and several more involved in Mark McKinstry’s American wedding, a big home entry was never anticipated, but it would have been nice to have seen a few more on track.
Casey soon settled into the lead of heat one from pole position, with Doak dropping in behind, and this duo soon pulled clear of the rest on what was at best a “greasy” track, although the temperature was unseasonally high. Gary Woolsey soon found a way past Hamilton to give chase to the leaders, with Jason Winning almost following him through. Hamilton soon spun it all away on turn 4, and later complained of oil getting onto his tyres from an under-bonnet leak. Doak continued to pressure Casey all the way to the flag, and they were soon joined by Woolsey too, but Tom held on for the win with Doak second from Woolsey, Winning and welcome returnee Stevie Williams.
Woolsey gathered himself up quite a lead on lap one of the reverse grid heat two from the outside front row, as the rest got held behind pole man Williams. Winning was the first to break clear, and looked quite comfortable in this one as Casey retired with offside-front suspension damage, possibly inflicted by the sleeping policemen marking the inside of the turns. Woolsey was well clear at the end, with Doak netting second after eventually demoting Winning to third. Hamilton was fourth, ahead of the only other finisher, Tobin.
A toss of the coin gave Doak what turned out to be a decisive pole position ahead of Woolsey, and that’s the order they set off into the Winternational final. As Hamilton was slow away, Casey wasted no time in relegating Winning to start the chase after the pair of Tigras at the head of the field. Doak and Woolsey were giving a fine example of top quality Hot Rod racing on a slippery track, as they circulated with never more than a hair’s breadth between them for the duration of the race. Casey did reel them in towards the end, but had to settle for third as Doak ran out the winner from Woolsey, with Winning, Hamilton and Tobin completing the result. Darren Black
Steward's second Best.
Best in Britain, Wimbledon 25/11
Graham Brown reports: Andy Steward picked up his second Best in Britain title at Wimbledon, qualifying on the front row and then driving a tidy final to fend off race-long pressure from Dicky Burtenshaw.
Graham Luscombe had pole for the opening heat and took an immediate lead at the off. Given the west countryman's pace at the recent world qualifier at the track, there seemed every chance he might be able to stay there, even when the handy looking Burtenshaw and Plough Lane expert Mick Pagden turned up in his mirrors.
Jay Austin was forced out when some impact (unseen by the writer) put his rear bodywork onto his tyres, while Carl Boardley was making strides in the right direction, passing Ronnie McKenzie down the inside of the pit bend and then Tony Goodsir along the back stretch.
Burtenshaw and Pagden eventually found a way past Luscombe in tandem around mid-distance, Graham having to give best to the fast finishing Boardley as well by the end.
Pagden piled pressure on the leader in the closing laps but couldn't quite find the opening to prevent the Outlaw man taking first blood.
Heat two was also going to provide a pole winner, this time in the shape of Stuart Carter. First though, he had to survive a caution period, thrown when some time local hero Salvo Falcone clobbered the back straight fencing. The yellows were very slow in coming out for this incident, and quite how Boardley - already fully committed to the outside line exiting turn two - avoided a massive T-bone on the stricken Colt, I'll never know.
Carter made a good job of the restart, keeping himself a just comfortable gap over Steward and Colin Gomm for the remaining distance.
Boardley's fifth spot in that second heat was enough to get him pole on aggregate. However, with arch rival Steward alongside, and the track having been dampened by a brief shower to make the conditions exactly to Andy's liking, this was no foregone conclusion. This looked like being a very interesting showdown indeed, and the unworthy thought crossed my mind that it was quite possibly one which those starting immediately behind might do well to stay out of in fact! But in the end, no such knock-down-drag-out dice ever transpired.
'Doughnut' got all the traction anybody could want at the green to snatch the lead, Boardley briefly slotting in behind. Carl probably figured that if he was ever going to get past, there was only one way, and he was soon trying it up the outside. Despite being on four wets, he couldn't find the grip he needed however, and got railroaded back to fifth as Burtenshaw, Pagden and Gomm all went through.
Boardley couldn't seem to keep up the pace after that and fell steadily back, his tyre choice telling against him as the track was nowhere near being really wet at any stage.
But Andy wasn't going to get much respite despite Carl fading from the picture, as the others were fighting tooth and nail to get at or past the leader. Pagden in particular tried very hard indeed around the outside to make some impression, but was finding Burtenshaw a tough enough nut to crack, never mind Doughnut. And Steward never put a foot wrong, and was still deservedly in front at flag fall, with the hard trying Burtenshaw second.
Gomm was third over the line, but copped a somewhat harsh two place penalty for contact on Burtenshaw, handing the place to Pagden instead. I say a bit harsh, because Dicky seemed quite capable of chucking his car into the corners sideways with or without Colin's help, in his superb efforts to catch Steward napping and dive up his inside.
Putting that aside, this was still a darn good race which proved that (a) Andy Steward is still top kiddie when track conditions are anything less than perfect, (b) Mick Pagden shouldn't be too hasty in his decision to quit the formula just when he's really finding his feet, and (c) that it's high time Dicky Burtenshaw made good on his threat of a couple of years ago to go National. Your licence application awaits sir…. Graham Brown
Results
Heat one: 100,197,41,742,55,280,198,278,421,277
Heat two: 85,198,278,280,41,427,113,421,197,100
Final: 198,100,197,427,278(-2),85,277,280,421,113,742
Key to Outlaw numbers: 100 Dicky Burtenshaw, 280 Ross Ayling, 421 Phil Young, 113 Richard Simmons.
Archive 2007, 2006, 2005 HERE
|
