FEBRUARY 2012
www.smrc-uk.com
2011 SMRC SEASON REVIEW Ev ery Champi o ns hi p bar o ne went do wn to the wi re, wi th fi v e s ti l l to be s ettl ed by the ti me we arri v ed at Kno ckhi l l i n Octo ber. No w that’s g o o d co mpeti ti o n o v er a s eas o n that co v ered s ev en mo nths , wi th pl enty o f twi s t and turns and s o me o uts tandi ng perfo rmances . Onl y o ne dri v er retai ned a Sco tti s h Champi o ns hi p, whi l e ano ther retai ned hi s Cup tro phy, al l o ther ti tl es chang ed hands . Mo to rs TV co v ered al l Kno ckhi l l races , and o ur acti o n i s a fav o uri te wi th v i ewers . Celtic Speed Scottish Mini Cooper Cup in association with Yokohama Tyres, Superchips, Crossflags Mini and Wheels Around.
his win. His final meeting saw him score well in all three races after a run of low or no scores mid season. The top ten was completed by Murray Muir, another regular scorer though he also failed to get points seven times. Those who raced occasionally but shone, included former Mini front runner and regular, Jamie Cleland with two thirds, and 2010 Newcomers Cup winner Kenneth Brewster with a second in Kirkistown. Steven Clarke also scored regularly until he missed the final two meetings. There were 32 drivers who raced, and the average grid for the year was nearly 19 per race, while the BTC Knockhill meeting saw the biggest ever Mini grid of 26 cars in race two. A feature of Mini racing was trains of cars often six or seven long, with lots of dicing up and down the field.
Mini Cooper Ladies Cup This was a season long battle between Fiona Wallace and Elaine Marshall. Elaine led until round seven when Fiona overhauled her, but they were never that far apart. Fiona took 16 wins in the first 18 rounds than didn’t win the class again, as Elaine added to her two early wins by winning the last six rounds as she upped her pace. It had been a good first year in Minis
David Sleigh on his way to winning the Cup
This was a four way battle at the top, though often the Sleigh brothers were ganging up on last year’s runner up Vic Covey jnr, with Chris Smiley nearly always with or ahead of them. The Cup was over 24 rounds. David Sleigh eventually triumphed, the former XR2 Champion was third in 2010 and he knew how to score points, but it wasn’t until round 4 in May that he took the chequered flag first. He went on to win five races, with six second places and six third places. He only failed to score once, and won both races at the demanding Cadwell Park. He led by 20 points as the Cup went into the last meeting, and was still 20 ahead at the end of the day. His closest challenger was Mini stalwart and previous champion Vic Covey jnr. Vic had started the year on fire with two wins out of three races at the opening meeting. He went on to win three of the first five races, then didn’t win again until round 14 but he went on to five wins, six seconds and two thirds. He only failed to score once, but also got only a single point in another race. Tim Sleigh the 2010 XR2 Champion was third in his first year in Minis, beating the young fast Irishman Chris Smiley by three points. Tim won five times and never failed to score, while Chris won seven times but didn’t score in two rounds. The other two race winners were Adam Leitch and Alan Waugh, both as a result of the reversed top five to eight finishers grid, which featured at every meeting for the final Mini race of the day. They still had to pedal like mad to win, and well done to all race winners in this very competitive Championship. Adam also finished fifth overall, and had a third and four fourths, but did not score in six rounds. Hamish Brandon was sixth he had a third mid season, and scored regularly. Kyle Reid and Steven Brewster were next up, they both missed or failed to score in ten or more rounds each, but when they were racing scored well. Reid had a third, Brewster a second. Alan Waugh was ninth though he also missed ten races, but had three fourths to go with
Mini Cooper Newcomers Cup Tim Sleigh was dominant, over 24 rounds he won the class 20 times. His lowest finish was fourth. Adam Leitch was the runner up with two class wins and 11 second places, though five no scores meant he was over 100 points behind Tim, but nearly 50 ahead of third placed Murray Muir who only failed to score three times and racked up good points regularly with two class seconds his best results. Kyle Reid was fourth, he had two class wins and seven seconds, but missed scoring ten times including six dnfs and dnes. The Cup had 19 points scorers which shows how well this Championship develops new talent, so that usually over half the grid were in their first or second season in Minis. Others who scored well included Michael Falconer who shone in away rounds, Steven Clarke who had a second but he missed the last two meetings, and Kenny McLeod who didn’t score eight times but got a class third late on. While James Bruce switched from racing a Mitsubishi Evo and did the last six races, he was not lower than fifth in class and also took second in round 23. Tim was the class of the field and his Fiesta experience showed as he adapted well to Minis.
Tim Sleigh was dominant in Newcomers
Fiona Wallace raced well to take the Ladies Cup
for Elaine. Emma Bruce kept in touch with the two title protagonists and racked up seven seconds she also only failed to score once compared to Elaine’s three and Fiona’s two rounds with no score. Emma was always there to benefit if the top two missed out. These three were well clear of Stephanie McMurdo, but she missed nine rounds early in the season then became a regular and had eight fourths. Louise Flitton missed over half the season, but when she raced she had pace and had seven seconds from nine outings. Gemma Dreelan only had a couple of races and one was a dnf to add to a third. Fiona had the title sewn up by September and deserved it as she had proved by the number of class wins she took. She had also been the runner up last year, and used her experience well. Scottish Formula Ford Championship This was more than just a one man show, but in his second season in single seaters the talented Kenneth Thirwall dominated the Championship. He won everyone of the 14 rounds and was the only driver to contest every round, but was often pressed for large chunks of the races by Alistair Dow, who got 11 second places in the 12 races he started. Alistair often sat for five or six laps on Kenneth’s tail only to drop back a little as the races wore on. Sometimes he’d drop half a second on lap one and then hold the gap, but he never gave up. These two were chased by Jordan Gronkowski who was another new driver in FF having followed Kenneth from Minis. He got one second and five thirds. Next up was young Michael Gray who got quicker as the season progressed and moved up the results and had three fourth places but like Jordan failed to score 3 times. Ross McEwan finished 5th a few points down on Michael . He had
Kenneth Thirlwall won every race in Formula Ford
three 3rds but didn’t score 5 times with 3 of these being retirements. Rounding out the top 6 was Mathew Chisholm he only failed to score once and was very consistent all year. Others to be noticed included Ian Munro, with three 3rds from 8 starts, and veteran Stuart Thorburn made a cameo appearance doing just two rounds and getting third both times. Shame he couldn’t be coaxed out for more. Ivor Mairs the FF Classic Cup winner for the second year was a regular points scorer and finished 8th in the points behind Ian. He really raced his old car and at for one magic race in the September meeting got it well up the order, and took a fabulous 3rd place, much to his amazement. He did 10 rounds and walked the Classics, were only Laurie Hughes raced him occasionally. Andy Paterson did 8 races and was a solid performer, while Kieron Blake rounded out the top 10, and was another who did a limited season but drove well when out. It was Kenneth’s year and he has a rare talent, having also won the Scottish Mini Cooper Cup in 2009.
Ivor Mairs took the Classic Cup for the second year
Formula Ford Newcomers Cup It was a double for Thirwall as he also won every round. He also retained the Newcomers Cup he won in his first year in FF a rare event. Jordan Gronkowski had 7 class seconds on his way to runner up, chased by Ross McEwan who just piped Michael Gray to third. McEwan did 9 races and had four seconds in class and five thirds. Gray who was 4 points behind McEwan beat Mathew Chisholm by 6 points as both scored regularly. Former XR2 star Ian Munro was next. He had a disjointed season, missing several races mid year, but he showed pace though scored in just 6 of his 8 races, but there were 3 second in class finishes in there. There were ten drivers entering as Newcomers, which is encouraging as these cars can give provide invaluable experience for those wanting to move up the single seater ladder, or just try pure racing cars. Scottish Fiesta Championship in association with Yokohama Tyres The Fiestas were split into two main competitions. The XR2 Championship and the ST Cup. XR2s – they may date from the 80s but the MK2 cars still race well. A hare core keep racing them and long may it continue. It is still not easy to win a race in this Championship. This year we had some very experienced pilots up against some fast rookies, and a
rookie won first prize. Early in the season the very experienced Dave Colville led the table, he was smooth on track and won the first two races, he then picked up one 2nd and five 3rds but then it wasn’t until round 13 of the 14 that he won again. Russell Milloy had upped his game, having done well in 2010 his first year in XR2s he settled down after round 1 were he posted a dq, then won 6 straight races before getting two more wins later in the season. He still had to get points at the last meeting as 4 drivers went into the October meeting with a chance of the title. Although Russell had a 26 point lead by then after fast XR veteran Peter Cruickshank had a poor September meeting, having led the Championship in August. Mechanical woes saw Peter not add to his 3 wins and 4 seconds at the end of the year when he appeared in a hire car as his own needed work. Peter
Russell Milloy had an excellent year in XR2s winning both titles
still craves that first Championship but will he be the Stirling Moss of XR2s, with the title just out of reach despite being quick and winning races? Dave Colville nipped past him on October to finish 2nd so peter repeated his 3rd overall from 2010. These three were always under pressure from Wayne MacCauley, who is very quick, as a newcomer in 2010 he had several top 3 finishes. In 2011 he stepped further up, winning once and recording 6 seconds and a third. The drivers finishing 2nd, 3rd and 4th were covered by just 6 points at the end of the year. It had been good at the top of XR2s again, and Russell becomes the 10th XR2 Champion in 16 years following XR2 Legends like Alan Keith and Ian Forrest, as well as Iain Cowie and brothers David and Tim Sleigh into the record books. Behind the top 4 was a gap then Mike Strong appeared. He like the top 4 had only one no score all year and 3rd was his best result but he scored well all year and was nearly always in the top 6. Craig Taylor was 6th and despite missing 4 rounds scored eight 4th place finishes. Hamish Smart was next just ahead of George Runcie both were steady racers who missed a few rounds. Chris Philip was a few points behind George and raced 8 times with 3rd in race 1 his highlight. Michael Jenkins completed the top 10 with a fourth his best result.
Dave Colville and Peter Cruickshank fought hard with Russell all year
XR Newcomers Cup This is always hard fought and sought after. Tim Sleigh won it last year on his way to the double of XR2 Champion and newcomers Cup winner, and
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Russell Milloy emulated him by winning both as well. Russell won 12 of the 14 rounds and was easily the top driver. Craig Taylor was runner up, one class win and nine 2nds in his 10 races was good consistent racing While Hamish Smart took 3rd and had 6 class 3rds in his 10 finishes. George Runcie was 4th and had a 2nd in class followed by five 4ths as his best results. Only 9 drivers scored points in the Newcomers Cup compared with 17 in 2010, let us hope more drivers see this very affordable class as a way into racing. There were far less hire cars out, even ICR rarely had an XR2 hire. Fiesta ST Cup Rory Bryant was the class of the field and retained his title but it wasn’t always plain sailing, and he had some close races as others got to grips with these quick cars. Hire drives also saw quite a few drivers try out these Fiestas on slicks. Bryant who was runner up in 2009 and is now two times Champion. He’s quick in an ST. Rory won the class 7 times in the 12 rounds he contested not racing at the final two as he had won the title by then. Blair Murdoch chased him all year and gave it a real go, then had an accident late on and his pace dropped a little. Blair had 2 wins and 4 seconds, and beat George Orr by 21 points. George had done only 2 races in 2010 but got two 2nds so he was out for a real season this year and took 4 wins and 2 seconds. He won both the away races at Croft but had 3 non scores compared to Blair’s two. Young Scott Robertson was 4th, and although he missed 6 races he won once and was 2nd 4 times. He mixed it with the top 3 every time he was out, as he had in 2010 but this year he started to get top 2 finishes. Stuart Haston was another young driver to try STs
Rory Bryant retained the ST Cup
and did well in a hire car his 6 late season races saw a 2nd and four 3rds, though he has raced occasionally in XR2s but not as successfully as this. Paul Curtis was 6th overall as he did 6 races and scored consistently. Drivers who did the odd meeting but were quick included Duncan Vincent, now on the Knockhill commentary team he’s raced XR2s, FF and knows his way round. He had a 2nd and 3rd in May but sadly didn’t reappear. Iain Cowie had a 3rd and 4th in April after leading the ST race before it was red flagged. The old maestro couldn’t be persuaded back as he was busy preparing cars. 18 drivers came out in STs, but again their grids yoyoed, there are cars we just need a few more regular racers. Scottish Classic Sports and Saloons Championship in assoc with Yokohama Tyres This was an absorbing title race. The championship was split into 4 classes. It was pure consistency and lots of good driving that saw Class C stalwart, Porsche 911 driver Stan Bernard take the tile having lost out to his main rival, class B top gun John Marshall by 1 point in 2010. Stan won the class 16 times out of 16 one of only two drivers in the year to record an unbeaten record. The other being FF champion Ken Thirwall. Stan was always fighting for top 3 places on the road, and he kept ahead of his main class rival Raymond Boyd ‘s 911 as Raymond
Scottish Legends Cars Championship in association with Beatsons Builders This was a good season long battle, which saw Ross Marshall lead early on then drop back but make a mid season surge to regain the lead. As we went into the final meeting there were three drivers in with a chance of the title. Marshall, Carol Brown and veteran Gerard McCosh. Ross Marshall the 2009 champion won a heat and the final to seal his 2nd Scottish Legends title. Legends have three races per championship round, split into 2 heats and then a
Stan Bernard in his 911 had a season long battle with John Marshallʼs Escort
scored very well and had 12 class 2nds and 4 class 3rds on his way to 3rd overall. In between the two Porsches was John Marshall, his superb MK1 Escort was driven with gusto. He won class B 14 times but missed two rounds through mechanical woes. He also fought for outright wins and took the top spot on the podium twice in late April, twice in July and again at both September rounds and once in October. Stan fought him on each occasion but the Escort triumphed. The other winner on the road was Andrew Smith in his black Morgan +8. He missed half the races but when he appeared won both class D and the races 7 times in 8 races, only John Marshall beat him at a race in October, though they finished 2 tenths of a second apart at round 1 in April. His missed scores meant he was 8th overall. In 4th was class A winner Roger Motherwell in his Alfa Sud Sprint. He had 5 class wins all in the second half of the season as his late charge proved successful. He overhauled George Leitch who drove the Mini Ogle well, with 3 class wins and 6 class 2nds but 4 no scores hurt his total as he finished 5th overall. Class B runner up Robert Marshall was 6th. He upped his game and drove well as he got his Escort MK2 regularly into the top 6 on the road. He took two class wins as well as 8 class 2nds, but had 5 no scores. Grant Allan was 7th and 3rd in class C his 911 scored in every round with 2nd in class its best result. Andrew Smith’s fast Morgan was 8th, just ahead of class B regular Jimmy Crow. His Escort scored 6 class 2nds, 5 of those in the first 5 rounds then a dnf started a run of 8 rounds were his best was 3rd and he missed 4 rounds but came back strong in the final meeting with another class 2nd. The top 10 was completed by Donald Laird, he drove his Lotus Elan to 3rd in class 7 times and had several race long battles with class competitor Tim Reid in his Marcos. In between them in 11th was class C racer Robin Benn, he got 3 class 3rds in his 3litre Capri and scored well until missing a few rounds later in the season. The Championship averaged 22 starters and had an amazing 53 drivers compete. Some notable racers included Harry Simpson in the fast but fragile Davrian with 4 class A wins, the TR8s were spectacular and often sideways when they came out to play. Shonny Paterson, Willy Toye and Barry Riddell all got at least a class 2nd each but didn’t do many rounds. Paterson also had 4 class D wins. Nic Boyes rapid well driven Mini Cooper S took 3 class A wins and 3 class 2nds in the 6 finishes it achieved, but two dnfs and several missed rounds hurt his total. The Classics also had two well supported non championship races at the Knockhill BTC meeting in September. Barry Riddell won race 1 on the road in his TR8 as Andrew Smith started at the back of a 29 car grid and worked his way up to 2nd by the flag with the Morgan. Robert Marshall had a fine 3rd beating Shonny Paterson and Adam Bernard’s 911. In race2 Smith he had a good dice with the TR8s and took the lead then lost it to Riddell before getting it back late on, as Shonny Paterson shadowed them. The race was stopped early after a car was marooned at the hairpin.
Ross Marshall won the title for the second time
final. The first heat grid is drawn at random, then reversed in heat 2, before the final which sees the top performing cars start at the back of the rolling grid. The cars raced at two away venues, Cadwell Park and Croft. Its 200 points per race so there is a chance to score well even if a driver gets a low score in one race. During the season Ross won an impressive 6 finals, and several heats. Carol Brown the 2008 Champion pushed him hard all year, winning two finals and several heats. She finished only a whisker behind Ross in July at Knockhill, and scored well all year, to be runner up by 215 points Gerard McCosh had one of his best years. Still searching for that elusive first win he still scored well getting over 400 points in 7 rounds. His best finished was a 3rd in the final in April but he was regularly in the top 5. Fourth overall in the drivers list was Ross Mickel. He was the championship runner –up in 2010 and was always near the front and took six heat wins. The top six cars all scored over 3,900 points showing great consistency. David Hunter was next driver, another good racer with consistent scores, and several top three finishes. Glen Burtenshaw was 6th driver and scored well with over 400 points at 4 meetings. The top team car was 4th in the overall points, but won a separate award so is discounted from the drivers listing here. It was driven mainly by John Marshall who put in some spirited drives, led several races and had 2nd and 3rd place finishes. His co-pilot was the capable Kieran Murray. If John had been in it all year he may well have been 3rd overall. Top Rookie Robbie Burgoyne was an impressive 7th followed by Scott Hynds and Colin Atkinson. These two were often quick, Scott scoring over 500 points at the September 10th meeting, while Colin the 2010 Champion scored over 400 points three times but missed a couple of rounds.
A real talent arrived for his first season, having raced in stock cars young Robbie Burgoyne really took to Legends. He was 7th overall driver and scored well over 3,000 points, getting 515 alone at Croft in September were he was 3rd in that meetings points totals. He also won a heat at one of the races at Cadwell Park in June. He was well ahead of Paul McKay and Kevin Kettle well who were 2nd and 3rd in Rookies. Scottish Saloon and Sportscar Championship This is a class based championship over 12 rounds, it is for modified cars, and we had a title that went down to the wire as in October there were 4 drivers in with a chance. In class A2 (2wd cars) defending Champion Gary Watson had been dominant with his Westfield, he finished with 10 wins, one second and a dnf. He retained his title and led by 22 points going into the final meeting. He was chased all year by Philip Duncan who had two class wins and seven 2nds in his Westfield. Gary also won races on the road, while Duncan also won a race outright, on his way to runner up in the championship. Both these drivers performed well all year. Class A1 (4wd cars) was well fought with Paul Nevill in an Escort Cosworth finishing 3rd overall in the championship and winning the class. He took 3 class wins and three 2nds. Early in the season it was the rapid Evo of James Bruce that took four class wins and a memorable outright win in July, as he held off the two leading Westfields. Graham Wait appeared mid season with his Sierra Cosworth and the old car ran well. He took 2 class wins and 3 class 2nds finishing 6th in the title race. Stewart Whyte only did one meeting with a new Escort Cosworth and won both races. Class C for the small engines cars was taken by Tracy Louise Muir in her Citroen. She had 10 class wins out of 10 starts and was 4th in the championship. Stuart Haston took his fairly standard MX5 to 2nd in class with 10 class 2nds and 5th overall. Kevin Robson did the final meeting with a Caterham and won the class in Tracy’s absence. Marco Haig had his rare Fiat Coupe well up the order in A2, 3 class 3rds and 7th overall as he beat Joe Shuttleton’s A1 Imprezza which had two class 2nds as its best results. Both these cars were regular points scorers. Andrew Morrison was next up his lovely Seat raced 8 times in A2 and scored a 2nd as its best finish. The top 10 was completed by top class B car, with Alex Bruce’s road tyred Impreza getting 3 class wins
Gary Watson retained his title chased by Philip Duncan
Legends Rookies
and 4 class 2nds. Others to race well included former champion David Headen who had 3 finishes in A2 two being class 2nds, while Robert Drummond’s Escort Cosworth had a class win in A1 and two 2nds. The championship averaged 15 cars, but 31 cars appeared throughout the season. This year they return to Croft for 2 away rounds which was missing from the 2011 calendar. Kevin Pick Robbie Burgoyne was top Rookie by a mile
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CIRCUIT
DATE
KNOCKHILL (SMRC)
APRIL 8
KNOCKHILL (SMRC)
MAY 5 / 6
CROFT (DDMC) OULTON PARK (BRSCC) CADWELL PARK (BRSCC) CROFT (TOCA / BARC)
CLASSIC SPORTS & SALOONS
•• ••
••• •••
•• ••
•• •• ••
• ••
•• ••
•
••
••
AUGUST 12
••
•••
••
••• •• •• ••• •••
SEPTEMBER 8 / 9
KNOCKHILL (SMRC)
OCTOBER 7
NSSCC
••
**
Non- championship
AUGUST 25 / 26
SEPTEMBER 23
VISITORS
•• ••
••
•• •
•• ••
= 1 x Championship Round (NB Each Legends Cars Round = 3 races).
*
••
MAZDA MX5s, BARC Legends
••
•
•• •• ••
** •• ••
• •
•• ••
JULY 21
KNOCKHILL (SMRC)
•
LEGENDS CARS
JUNE 23 / 24
JULY 21 / 22
CROFT (DDMC)
SALOONS & SPORTS CARS
JUNE 2 / 3
KNOCKHILL (SMRC)
KNOCKHILL (TOCA / BARC)
FIESTA XR2/ST
JUNE 2
JUNE 23 / 24
KNOCKHILL (SMRC)
MINI COOPER
MAY 19 / 20
ANGLESEY (BRSCC)
KIRKISTOWN (500MCI)
FORMULA FORD 1600
Non- championship
•• ••
= Non-Championship. The calendar remains provisional at present.
Motors TV 2012 Schedule Here is the 2012 schedule. Don’t forget that all the programmes also go out on GoRacingTV.com one week after the Motors TV broadcast. They can then be viewed at any time from anywhere on the planet. First showing of races during the times indicated. Scottish Classic Sports and Saloons & Scottish Saloons and Sportscars
Scottish Fiestas & Scottish FF1600
Scottish Legends Cars
Scottish Mini Cooper Cup
1 : KNOCKHILL (April 8th) Thursday 3 May 2012 19:58 - 00:48
1 : KNOCKHILL (April 8th) Thursday 3 May 2012 18:54 - 00:48
1 : KNOCKHILL (April 8th) Thursday 19 April 2012 19:58 - 00:48
1 : KNOCKHILL(April 8th) Thursday 19 April 2012 18:54 - 00:48
2 : KNOCKHILL (May 5/6) Thursday31 May 2012 19:58 - 00:48
2 : KNOCKHILL (May 5/6) Thursday 31 May 2012 18:54 - 00:48
2 : KNOCKHILL (May 5th) Thursday 24 May 2012 19:58 - 00:48
2 : KNOCKHILL (May 5/6) Thursday 24 May 2012 18:54 - 00:48
3 : KNOCKHILL ( Saloons & Sports July 21/22) OULTON PARK (Classics - June 2) Thursday 16 August 2012 19:58 - 00:48
3 : KNOCKHILL (July 21/22) Thursday 16 August 2012 18:54 - 00:48
3 : KNOCKHILL (May 6th) Thursday 7 June 2012 17:52 - 00:48
3 : OULTON PARK (June 2nd) Thursday 14 June 2012 18:54 - 00:48
4 : KNOCKHILL (August 12th) Thursday 30 August 2012 19:58 - 00:48
4 : KNOCKHILL (August 12th) Thursday 30 August 2012 18:54 - 00:48
4 : OULTON PARK (June 2nd) Thursday 14 June 2012 19:58 - 00:48
4 : KNOCKHILL (July 21/22) Thursday 9 August 2012 18:54 - 00:48
5 : KNOCKHILL (September 23rd) Thursday 18 October 2012 19:58 - 00:48
5 : KNOCKHILL (September 23rd) Thursday 18 October 2012 1 8:54 - 00:48
5 : KNOCKHILL (July 21/22) Thursday 9 August 2012 19:58 - 00:48
5 : KNOCKHILL (August 12th) Thursday 23 August 2012 18:54 - 00:48
6 : KNOCKHILL (October 7th) Thursday 1 November 2012 19:58 - 00:48
6 : KNOCKHILL (October 7th) Thursday 1 November 2012 18:54 - 00:48
6 : KNOCKHILL (August 12) Thursday 23 August 2012 19:58 - 00:48
6 : CROFT (September 8/9) Thursday 20 September 2012 18:54 - 00:48
7 : KNOCKHILL (September 23) Thursday 4 October 2012 19:58 - 00:48
7 : KNOCKHILL (September 23rd) Thursday 4 October 2012 18:54 - 00:48
8 : KNOCKHILL (October 7) Thursday 25 October 2012 19:58 - 00:48
8 : KNOCKHILL (October 7th) Thursday 25 October 2012 18:54 - 00:48
A season in the Porsche GT3 Cup Challenge We always like to enter one make series as it is all about the driver and the team’s ability to set the car up. Also buying a good car, which Tommy Dreelan sold us, makes all the difference. The points system makes it crucial to finish all the races, as it is 15 for a win, 14 for a second, 13 for third and so on. Brands Hatch (Races 1 & 2) We arrived with a borrowed van and trailer and only did half a day testing but in qualifying we got pole by half a second, Oly Mortimer won both races and got two fastest laps. Croft (Races 3& 4) One of the top teams decided to put out Carrera Cup driver and Croft specialist, Nigel Rice, against us but Oly still managed to get pole by half a second. Rice got the jump on Oly at the start, Oly tried hard to follow him, but we were using the same tyres as we qualified on and Rice was using brand new tyres. Unfortunately Oly just clipped the tyre barrier through the fast chicane and this burst the radiator, our first DNF. Oly cooled it in the second race as Nigel was on fresh rubber again and Oly needed to finish this time to get the points. We left Croft 14 points behind in the championship. Donnington (Races 5 & 6) Oly managed pole for both races in the final two laps of qualifying. He won these races and got two fastest laps. He had managed to retrieve some of the points deficit.
Rockingham (Races 7 & 8) The first race in the morning was still very wet and he won by 17 seconds. But it was dry for the second race in the afternoon which he won as well but only by half of a second. Oulton Park (Races 9 & 10) One of the other opposition teams put their Carrera Cup driver, Karl Leonard, who is a circuit specialist for a one off outing to help take points off us. Oly got pole and a second for the other race. Under instruction he finished second, behind Leonard in race one, as he was told not to mix it as Karl was not in the championship. Race two he took the lead at the start, won it and got fastest lap. We left Oulton now three points ahead in the championship. Silverstone (Races 11, 12 & 13) This was on the full new grand prix track, with a top speed of 162mph and average speed of 102mph. This time all three races were mixed with the slower Club Class cars, and an invitation class with more powerful RSR cars. Oly won the first race, even after a spin at 120mph at Abbey, avoiding a back marker who did not see him. Graham Mundy, Oly’s nearest opposition in the championship, won the second race as Oly was told that he was to finish and not to mix it. This put Graham on pole for the third race and both him and
Oly Mortimer on his way to the title
his team mate, Steven Liquorish, put on their third set of new tyres. Oly remained on his old tyres and again had his instructions, as he only had to finish in the top five to win the championship. This he did, and finished third…job done! Snetterton (October - GT Cup) We decided to do the last two races of the GT Cup at Snetterton which is a mix of GT3 sports cars. In the first race, which is a rolling start, a Chevron led away but Oly went past him early on and won by 11 seconds from Andy Ruhan. Race two had a similar start but Oly now had to carry 60kgs success ballast. With three laps to go took he the lead and won by 1 second. A brilliant end to an already fantastic season…the icing on the cake. Carrera Cup 2012 awaits? Glen Mortimer
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•LETTERS• Hi Kevin, I hope you are well. Is there any thoughts within SMRC to run a fast racing car class again in Scotland along the lines of the Sports Libre class still in use at Scottish Hillclimbs? A category that could achieve a sub 48/49 second lap around Knockhill for example , which would be exciting to watch and to listen to, and provide drivers with a set-up and racing challenge and allow a racing car category for young drivers to move up and mature to. I would dearly love the opportunity to race a quick racing car again in Scotland along the lines of a mid engine clubman type vehicle/ Radical/ GTs or up to 2 litre single seater. I know they do a Sports Libre category in hillclimbs for Doune etc for this type of
car and suspect there are more than sufficient other drivers who would like the same idea, either currently unable to race or forced to trek south of the border all the time for any racing. Can I suggest you put an article in Wheelspin to canvass for expressions of interest for others and to assess the level of support. It would be nice for drivers and spectators to have a category of racing car class again which offered a greater speed and challenge than the road car they drive during the week! If this is a runner I would help get the class going again. I am sure it would also provide variety and a greater depth of interest to Scottish race meetings for those to whom a tin top/Caterham lacks excitement and challenge. All the best Roddie Paterson Interested in Supersports / Radicals? Contact c.edwards@smrc-uk.com
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OBITUARY - DAVID LESLIE Snr A significant figure in Scottish Motorsport, as a team owner he guided the early car race careers of several top Scottish stars including David Coulthard, Allan McNish and Dario Franchitti. He was the father of the successful Single seater, Saloon & Sportscar racer, David Leslie, and he sadly passed away on December 18th 2011. He was awarded the SMRC Stewart Medal for services to Scottish Motorsport in 2008. He was a quiet man with a special talent for developing drivers and running a team were preparation was meticulous.
• NEWS • NEWS • NEWS • SMRC AGM
SMRC COMMITTEE
The cl ub’s annual meeti ng takes pl ace o n Tues day 2 7 th March at the Dako ta Ho tel , Ferry mui r Retai l Park, So uth Queens ferry EH3 0 9 QZ, (near Tes co , o ff A9 0 ) s tarti ng at 7 . 3 0 pm. It i ncl udes a repo rt by the Cl ub Chai rman, Mi ke Gas co i g ne and the el ecti o n o f s o me co mmi ttee members .
FF Prizes Graham Brunto n has been busy and secured some very good season end prizes for our single seater drivers to aim for. These include a Formula Renault test for the Championship winner and a Ray FF test for the Newcomers class winner. The winner of the Speedfair event will get a test with Fluid Motorsport and Adrian Hamilton’s The Garage Door Company has also offered podium awards for FF competitors during the season.
All Championships Please note MSA blue book Regulation Q.10.1.(c) - Fl ame res i s tant g l o v es and s ho es are mandato ry i n 2 0 1 2 . Make sure you have them in time for the season start.
Championship Regulations and Entry forms Thes e are no w o n the cl ub web s i te. Make sure you also read the SMRC Standing Regulations and General Regulations.
Raceivers These are mandatory in Scottish Saloon and Sportscars in 2012 and continue to be used by Legends and Fiestas. Contact m.how@smrc-uk.com
To take advantage of this excellent offer you must order via the telephone order line on 01327 855585. You can also request a new GP Racewear catalogue. Check out the latest items online at www.gprdirect.com Remember, to get your 10% discount you must quote your SMRC membership number when ordering
Mike Gascoigne
01383 735308
(Chairman - email: m.gascoigne@smrc-uk.com)
Chris Edwards
01577 830133
(Competition Sec - email: c.edwards@smrc-uk.com)
Kevin Pick
0131 332 8287
Ecurie Ecosse – back on two fronts
(Wheelspin Editor - email: k.pick@smrc-uk.com)
In British GTs the famous team is continuing its successful partnership with two-time British GT Championship winners Barwell Motorsport who will run the programmes on the team’s behalf. The British GT Championship rounds will be contested by drivers Ol i v er Bry ant and Al as dai r McCai g . While Andrew Smi th and Jo e Twy man will be filling two of three seats available for the team’s Pro-Am Blancpain Endurance Series campaign.
Sandy Denham
Mike How
0131 339 3876
(Club Clothing - email: m.how@smrc-uk.com)
Bernard Buss Nick Clarke
0131 334 2000 01361 882322 0131 441 2698
Andrew Fenwick
01577 830162
Adrian Hamilton
07801 911300
Kate Haston
01324 556541
Hugh McCaig
019686 76406
Vice Chairman
Graham Brunton
07778 169512
Chri s Edwards has stood down as VC, he will continue as the club’s Competition Secretary.
Russell Paterson
07979 911 111
C OMP ETITION
Last month the FF 1600 driver was Stuart Roden, the multi_FF Champion. No one got it right. So for you race buffs we are going back in the mists of time to 1986. Tell me what is this car and who is driving it and what was the car’s nickname. Entries by 30th March to the Editor on email k.pick@smrc-uk.com or ansaphone 0131 332 8287.
Visit our website on www.smrc-uk.com Photos by Jim Moir Tel: 0131 552 8817 Printed by McKenzie Print Ltd. Aberdeen Email: sales@mckenzie-print.com Wheelspin designed by Vince Towns Graphic Design Tel: 0779 2050 786 Editor: Kevin Pick: Email k.pick@src-uk.com