2008 Scottish news & reports by Mad Jock
Photos by GM Photos
Archive 2007, 2006, 2005 HERE

Cowdie – 26/10/08 and Season Review

Mad Jock reports:  Conditions – Monsoon! Following the final Crimond meeting (the non-points scoring fun meeting), for the 28th and final time in 2008, the Scottish Rods arrived on track as the season was completed where it began, back at Cowdie.

Scott Lea chose this meeting to make his return after nearly a decade away using the ex-McGuigan 206 and became the 39th registered driver to race in Scotland in 2008, Newall also returning after a considerable absence. The weather did all it could do ruin the racing, torrential rain for much of the meeting left standing water on various parts of the track.

Heat 1 set off with a ten-car grid tackling the far from ideal track, and it didn’t get far before Stuart Walker was the first victim of the conditions, the Clio making enough contact with the concrete to end its night’s racing.  On the restart, Jason McDonald made the early running from Billy Bonnar, before Bonnar relieved McDonald of the lead at 1/3 distance taking - considering the conditions - a brave outside route to do so, although never losing the chasing 206. McDonald’s doggedness to stay with Bonnar proved worthwhile with the 844 machine suffering in the conditions enough in the latter stages to see McDonald back in front with 3 to go. Jason hung on for the victory from Newall, who was closing over the latter stages as rapidly as conditions would allow, an ailing Bonnar hanging on for third.
Result – 387 (Jason McDonald) –601-844-700-5-88-20-34-334

Heat 2 had Sandy Allen the early leader before Rab Norrie took over on the third lap, and it was a lead he never (providing he kept the 206 pointing the right way) looked like surrendering. Billy B, Donaldson and Callender were the trio that were chasing after the Red 5 206, until on lap 7 it became a chasing duo, when the conditions sent Bonnar rotating on pitbend. Those following only avoiding disaster with a lot of swerving and some very rapid braking, Donaldson then briefly took over the pursuit of Norrie before Callender came by with Newall taking the opportunity to follow through into third. With Rab’s 206 comfortably out in front the chasing trio could, in the conditions, only wait for a mistake that never came.  Graeme Callender did reduce some of the gap, but was never going to get there and had to be content with second.  Newall completed the top 3, Pete McVay came fourth, with Sandy Allen bringing his budget Fiesta home for a very creditable fifth. Bonnar recovered to complete the top 6, Scott Lea being the last in motion come the flag.
Result – 5 (Rab Norrie) -871-601-88-20-844-334

Final time and with the rain still coming down, the Rods set off for the final race of the season.  On this occasion Sandy Allen did the front running for the first 3 laps, before Rab Norrie came sailing past on lap 4. The yellow flags were unfortunately out on lap 7 for the luckless Billy B who, when going into the town bend, lost the tail end and the 206 hit the wall tail first, pulling the front end solidly into the concrete.  Whilst the Rod suffered a fair amount of damage, it may have come off better than the driver.  Once 844 was lifted from the track with fairly considerable damage, the race resumed with Norrie in front. It looked like the Red 5 machine was heading for the double providing it was kept pointing in the right direction, however with victory in sight, for the second time Red 5 revolved on turn 2, as the conditions claimed another victim.  Graeme Callender was the main beneficiary of this, leaving the Colt to complete the remaining distance to the flag. The Colt was as in the previous race followed over the line by the Newall Corsa with Pete McVay’s BMW Mini completing the top 3. 
Result – 871- 601-88-5-20-334-844-387

Mad Jock’s 2008 Review:
Looking back over 2008, numbers increased over 2007 with 39 registered drivers (plus two one–offs) competing over the season. 2008 took place largely at two tracks, with Knockhill seeing just a single meeting during the year. Whilst total numbers in 2008 edged towards a 20-year high, numbers on the grids at both tracks stayed at best static, with less travelling - perhaps in part due to fuel prices - taking place between the two regions.

Crimond in 2008 perhaps suffered more than Cowdie seeing numbers on the low side with seemingly fewer GMP visitors than in previous years. However, what it lacked in numbers, the quality of machinery made up for. 

Crimond saw the track championship go down to the very final flag of the season, as John Buchan just edged out Graeme Gordon to claim back the Crimond points championship for the first time in a few years - a title, in years gone by, he used to win with regularity. John also took the Crimond version of the Open Scottish Championship.

GMP’s Cowdie meets usually attracted the larger grids – mid-teens being the norm.  JJ’s Tigra may, from a distance, have looked to have had an easy-ish time of it, that however would be misleading - the Tigra closely chased to the line on many occasions. Nevertheless, JJ’s Tigra took both the Cowdie track championship and the GMP Open Scottish Championship, along with the Outlaw Gold Roof and Scottish Championship.

As for 2009, already two new Tigras have arrived with rumours also strongly suggesting an Autocross Merc is on the way. Combine that with the possibility of Scotland’s first purpose built track, and provisionally the return of Knockhill on a more fulltime basis with 6 fixtures, it all suggests that 2009 could be a very good season.
2008 Roll Of Honour - World Cup -Gold Roof – James Jamieson
Scottish Championship – James Jamieson
Open Scottish Championship (Crim) – John Buchan
Open Scottish Championship (GMP)- James Jamieson
Crimond Points Championship – John Buchan
Cowdie Points Championship – James Jamieson
Mad Jock

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)

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 £1k 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 ¾, 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

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

Archive 2007, 2006, 2005 HERE
Photos by GM Photos