Post by Catriona on Jun 16, 2010 11:26:29 GMT
(Originally posted 5th April 2007)
Or at least it has been until this coming weekend - the winter now seems to be well and truly behind us and with a promising weather forecast for some sunny weather for the Easter Weekend, it looks like a promising start to the new season. Double headers for all at each round this year (with the usual three races for Legends) with Formula Phoenix being absorbed into the new Formula Ford 1600 field and Supersports sadly passing on due to lack of entries.
With Formula Phoenix struggling to fill its grid in 2006, single seater racing in Scotland was looking a bit grim, but at the Classic Speedfair last July an invitation was put out to those with FFord 1600s to take part in the Speedfair Trophy - loads of entries came out of the woodwork as if from nowhere, Graham Brunton entering his brother, having a race himself later in the year and deciding they were on to something. With interest from several drivers being shown, the SMRC had various discussions with the MSA about getting a new series going and after some wrangling, we have a series with 27+ entries and Championship status in its first year... It could be the start of something big - be there on Sunday to see the concept being reborn and to see if someone can finally beat Geordie Taylor!
The Scottish Legends Championship will enjoy a large grid this year with no clashes with the National Series anticipated - indeed, some National runners will probably make the journey North during the year to take part, especially in the much-anticipated British Touring Car Championship support round in September. Ben Mason and Gerrard McCosh are the expected front runners with Alex Knight (not running all the races), Carol Brown and the returning Robin Drysdale likely to be at the front. Lots of familiar faces will be returning once again while Lance Gauld's son Alisdair will take over the #23 car with a number of scholarship winners (including yours truly!) joining at the back of the grid.
The Scottish XR2s are set for a bumper field this year as well, with Scott Fraser back to defend his Championship. Andrew Winchester will want to start the season where he left off last year - challenging Fraser all the way while there will likely be a challenge from Peter Cruickshank, returning front-runner Dave Colville and the extremely fast Willie Davidson who debuted his hand built from a stripped-down ex-Forrest XR2 at the recent test with very impressive results. More challengers are bound to step forward with possible appearances by stalwarts Iain Cowie and Alan Keith also possible.
With a new series-sponsor in Smartycars.com, it's all change in the Mini Coopers. Oli Mortimer and Garry Meikle have gone National Mini racing, while Jamie Cleland and Finlay Crocker have made the step up to the BTCC supporting Clios. This leaves Vic Covey Jnr as a good bet for the top though XR2 race-winner Ian Milton, racing returnee Ronnie Klos and lap-record holder Mark Dryden can't be discounted. Taking a tip from the BTCC, the series will feature a reverse of starting positions in race two for the first five to eight cars home in the first race by means of a random draw.
The Saloons and Sportscars will once again feature a range of different cars though overall 2006 champion Richard Reed has left to go Caterham racing down south. Each round will probably bring new surprise entries with Porsche, Caterham, Ford, MG and various others already set to make appearances. The Classic Saloon and Sportscar will be similar, only digging up some top class vintage machinery which on several occasions last year put on a great show.
Or at least it has been until this coming weekend - the winter now seems to be well and truly behind us and with a promising weather forecast for some sunny weather for the Easter Weekend, it looks like a promising start to the new season. Double headers for all at each round this year (with the usual three races for Legends) with Formula Phoenix being absorbed into the new Formula Ford 1600 field and Supersports sadly passing on due to lack of entries.
With Formula Phoenix struggling to fill its grid in 2006, single seater racing in Scotland was looking a bit grim, but at the Classic Speedfair last July an invitation was put out to those with FFord 1600s to take part in the Speedfair Trophy - loads of entries came out of the woodwork as if from nowhere, Graham Brunton entering his brother, having a race himself later in the year and deciding they were on to something. With interest from several drivers being shown, the SMRC had various discussions with the MSA about getting a new series going and after some wrangling, we have a series with 27+ entries and Championship status in its first year... It could be the start of something big - be there on Sunday to see the concept being reborn and to see if someone can finally beat Geordie Taylor!
The Scottish Legends Championship will enjoy a large grid this year with no clashes with the National Series anticipated - indeed, some National runners will probably make the journey North during the year to take part, especially in the much-anticipated British Touring Car Championship support round in September. Ben Mason and Gerrard McCosh are the expected front runners with Alex Knight (not running all the races), Carol Brown and the returning Robin Drysdale likely to be at the front. Lots of familiar faces will be returning once again while Lance Gauld's son Alisdair will take over the #23 car with a number of scholarship winners (including yours truly!) joining at the back of the grid.
The Scottish XR2s are set for a bumper field this year as well, with Scott Fraser back to defend his Championship. Andrew Winchester will want to start the season where he left off last year - challenging Fraser all the way while there will likely be a challenge from Peter Cruickshank, returning front-runner Dave Colville and the extremely fast Willie Davidson who debuted his hand built from a stripped-down ex-Forrest XR2 at the recent test with very impressive results. More challengers are bound to step forward with possible appearances by stalwarts Iain Cowie and Alan Keith also possible.
With a new series-sponsor in Smartycars.com, it's all change in the Mini Coopers. Oli Mortimer and Garry Meikle have gone National Mini racing, while Jamie Cleland and Finlay Crocker have made the step up to the BTCC supporting Clios. This leaves Vic Covey Jnr as a good bet for the top though XR2 race-winner Ian Milton, racing returnee Ronnie Klos and lap-record holder Mark Dryden can't be discounted. Taking a tip from the BTCC, the series will feature a reverse of starting positions in race two for the first five to eight cars home in the first race by means of a random draw.
The Saloons and Sportscars will once again feature a range of different cars though overall 2006 champion Richard Reed has left to go Caterham racing down south. Each round will probably bring new surprise entries with Porsche, Caterham, Ford, MG and various others already set to make appearances. The Classic Saloon and Sportscar will be similar, only digging up some top class vintage machinery which on several occasions last year put on a great show.