2015 Scottish Classic Sports and Saloons

[Malcolm Smith]

Dates for the 2015 Scottish Classic Sports and Saloons championship have been confirmed:

KNOCKHILL

5th April
3rd May
21st June
19th July
16th August
13th September
4th October

DONINGTON PARK ( MASTERS FESTIVAL )

4-5 July

• Several new cars are under construction and some previous

competitors are expected to return to the championship.

• Increased grids expected, with around 40 potential entrants.

Information regarding previous events can be found at:

2014 Season information http://tentenths.com/forum/showthread.php?t=141102

2013 Season information http://tentenths.com/forum/showthread.php?t=137224

2012 Season information http://tentenths.com/forum/showthread.php?t=131802

2011 Season information http://tentenths.com/forum/showthread.php?t=126989

2010 Season information http://tentenths.com/forum/showthread.php?t=122126

[Malcolm Smith]

Rounds 1 & 2 of the championship will take place on 5th April, Scottish Motor Racing Club, Knockhill Circuit.

All students, who present a valid matriculation card, will be given free
access to this event. Further information at:

http://www.knockhill.com/wordpress/2...of-the-season/

[Malcolm Smith]

Fifteen competitors entered the Knockhill meeting on 5th April. Up to ten additional drivers were unable to join the event due to holidays and last-minute car problems. Several of those who attended encountered
mechanical difficulties, leading to a depleted grid.

Qualifying was cancelled due to thick fog – replaced by a three lap track familiarisation procession
behind the safety car. Thankfully, the weather improved rapidly after midday, with sunny conditions throughout the afternoon. Distances were all shortened in order to allow completion of racing
at a reasonable time.

Harry Simpson, Ginetta G4, had a comfortable victory in race one. It didn’t look as if it would be easy during lap one, when he was followed closely by Mike Connon, Lotus 7 S4. The Lotus slowed noticeably with engine
problems and retired soon afterwards. Jimmy Crow, Ford Escort RS2000, took second place, ten seconds ahead of Alasdair Coates, Ford Mustang. Race two saw the same finishing order with Simpson again winning easily. Second place was keenly contested for many laps – Coates a fraction of a second ahead on the road – but demoted to third by a jumped-start penalty.

Grant Allan, Porsche 911, in his eight year in the championship, had two lonely fourth places.

Newcomer Ian Baines, Mini Cooper S and Tim Reid, Lola Mk1, had a great battle in race one.
Reid was a second ahead in fifth place at the finish. Baines was fifth in race two.
Another newcomer, Howard Gordon, Ashley Midget, won his class in both races and is the unofficial championship leader.

Last year’s champion, Raymond Boyd, had his first races in a recently built Datsun 1200.
The car will be developed in the coming months.

Photographs:

# 39 Harry Simpson ahead of # 7 Mike Connon, race one
#32 Coates and # 21 Crow on the last lap of race two
#41 Grant Allan leads # 68 Rodger Motherwell – Alfasud Sprint
#53 Tim Reid and # 24 Ian Baines
# 54Howard Gordon
#49 Raymond Boyd

[Malcolm Smith]

An additional feature for 2015 – ‘Car of the Day’.
A random selection from the fine range of classics in action at Knockhill.

Tim Reid’s 1220cc Lola Mk1 has been rebuilt to original specification during the past few months.
The car had been in Germany for many years and was last used competitively in the late 1980s.

[Heightswitch]

That Lola is a stunning little thing.
You never know I may see if a couple of invitation races may be on the cards for my old hack. its not too far away over the border.
I did my ARDS at Knockhill. lovely circuit when it isn't rainy, foggy or covered in snow

Neil.

[Malcolm Smith]

Originally Posted by Heightswitch

That Lola is a stunning little thing.
You never know I may see if a couple of invitation races may be on the cards for my old hack. its not too far away over the border.
I did my ARDS at Knockhill. lovely circuit when it isn't rainy, foggy or covered in snow

Neil.

At the October meeting guests will be permitted to enter and race without paying the £75 registration fee. I'm sure you would be made very welcome.

[andy97]

Thats a shame, as I also may have considered entering my 924S if I'd been allowed but have now accepted an invite to share a car at the 360 6 Hour race at Snetterton

[Malcolm Smith]

Knockhill 21st June

Nineteen drivers provided a fine spectacle of racing for a considerably larger number of spectators
than attended the previous meeting.

Mike Connon headed qualifying in a Caterham7, joined on the front row by Keiron Baillie, Lotus7.
Former champion, Tommy Gilmartin, Morgan +8, qualified third, followed by the Ginetta G4R of Harry Simpson.

Connon led from start to finish in race one. Gilmartin was second, followed by the TR7V8 of Shonny Paterson in third place. Stan Bernard, Porsche 911, Bruce Weir, Datsun 260Z and Baillie followed in fourth, fifth and sixth respectively. Following end-of-race checks, Connon was excluded due to a technical infringement,
which promoted Gilmartin to first place and moved other finishers up one place in the results.

Gilmartin won race two by less than two seconds from Paterson. Positions three to five were occupied by Baillie, Bernard and Weir, with sixth taken by the Ford Mustang of Alasdair Coates.

Mike Stewart competed at his first race meeting, finishing seventh in both races at the wheel
of Tim Reid’s Marcos.

Drivers enjoying their first races of the season included Ian Blacklin and Blair Nimmo, both in Ford Capris.
It was also pleasing to see returnees: Robin Benn – Ford Capri, Ian Daltrey – Alfasud TI and Richard Merrell – Alfa Guilia GT.

The next races are at Donington on 4th and 5th July.

Photos

Race 1 start
#88 Shonny Paterson
#77 Tommy Gilmartin
# 7 Mike Connon
#14 Mike Stewart
#33 Ian Blacklin

[Malcolm Smith]

More photos

#59 Blair Nimmo
#4 Stan Bernard
#47 Kieron Baillie ahead of #74 Bruce Weir
#41 Grant Allan ahead of #46 Robin Benn
#29 Richard Merrell
#17 Ian Daltrey

[Malcolm Smith]

Scottish Classic Sports and Saloons Championship competitors had their first event away from Knockhill
since May 2013 at a warm, sunny, Donington Park GP circuit on 4th and 5th July. The twenty four car grid was the largest at any of the away rounds to date, including many drivers who had never driven at the track before.

Triumph TR5 driver Mark Campbell was fastest in qualifying, narrowly ahead of Keiron Baillie in a Lotus 7.
The second row was home to the Morgan entrants, Andy Smith third and Tommy Gilmartin fourth.
The remaining places in the top ten were taken by Bruce Weir, John Kinmond, Stan Bernard, Raymond Boyd, Alex. Montgomery and Jim Grant.

RACE 1

Tommy Gilmartin made the best start, followed by Baillie into the first corner. Unfortunately, Smith and Campbell collided, leading to the Morgan retiring and the TR5 dropping down the order. Mike Connon, Lotus7, climbed from sixteenth at the start to second at the end of the first lap. He followed less than half a second behind Gilmartin until retiring on lap four. Baillie tried continually to take the lead but was unable to do so, finishing 0.8 seconds behind at the end of the race. Kinmond, TR7 V8, and Weir, Datsun 260Z, were even closer when they crossed the finish line, 0.2 seconds apart, in third and fourth respectively. Campbell recovered to take fifth place.

Several cars were damaged or suffered mechanical problems leading to a depleted entry for race two.


RACE 2

Gilmartin and Baillie continued their race one duel, joined by Conon who charged through the field into third by the end of lap one. He climbed to second on lap three and pursued the Morgan until he took the lead on lap eight of nine, finishing four seconds ahead when the race ended. Baillie held third followed by Andy Smith and Raymond Boyd. Kinmond finished sixth, at the head of three TR7V8s – Graham Miller and Willy Toye seventh and eighth respectively, entertaining the crowd with synchronised power slides at the hairpin.

Class winners in races one and two respectively

A Howard Gordon, MG Midget (1&2)
B Jim Grant, Lotus Elan , Donald Laird, Lotus Elan
C Jimmy Crow, Ford Escort (1&2)
D Bruce Weir, Datsun 260Z Raymond Boyd, Porsche 911
E Tommy Gilmartin, Morgan +8 (1&2)
G Keiron Baillie, Lotus 7 Mike Connon, Lotus 7

Photos in several groups below.

[Malcolm Smith]

Photos 2

[andy97]

That's an good number entered, Malcolm, but I'm sure many of us would be interested if we could see what cars they were all driving please. It would be nice to put cars to names!

[Malcolm Smith]

Originally Posted by andy97

That's an good number entered, Malcolm, but I'm sure many of us would be interested if we could see what cars they were all driving please. It would be nice to put cars to names!

Here are the drivers and cars...

First Name Surname Hometown Make of Car CC
Stan Bernard Glasgow Porsche 911 2994
Ciprian Nistorica Aberdeen Alfa Romeo Giulia 1570
Ian Daltrey Dingwall Alfsud 1494
Jimmy Crow Dunfermline Ford Escort 2000
Richard Merrell Dingwall Alfa Giulia GT 1985
Ian Blacklin Newcastle-on-Tyne Ford Capri 3000
Harry Simpson Edinburgh Ginetta G4 1851
Grant Allan Ayr Porsche 911 2994
Keiron Baillie Ceres Lotus 7 1558
Raymond Boyd Stirling Porsche 911 2998
Matthew Gordon Giffnock TVR3000M 3000
Mike Stewart Errol Marcos 1600 GT 1760
Howard Gordon Giffnock MG Midget 1380
Rodger Motherwell Stirling Alfsud Sprint 1500
Bruce Weir Stow Datsun 260Z 2982
Tommy Gilmartin Cupar Morgan +8 3900
J. Drummond Bone Cupar Alfa Giulia Sprint GT 2000
Shonny Paterson Arrochar Triumph TR8 3900
Alasdair Coates Peebles Ford Mustang 4802
James Braid Aberdeen Alfa Romeo Junior GT 1982

[Lancsbreaker]

Great to see almost a third of the field in Alfas!

[Malcolm Smith]

A few late changes to the entry list resulted in sixteen drivers taking to the track at Knockhill last Sunday.
The Alfa Romeo contingent was especially strong and made up over a third of the grid.
Crowds were smaller than expected – those who did attend witnessed a fine day of racing and excellent
dry, sunny weather. Conditions assisted drivers in achieving excellent lap times, in several instances close to or better than their previous personal best.

Best qualifying performance was by Tommy Gilmartin, Morgan +8. Keiron Baillie, Lotus 7, was second and Harry Simpson third in a Ginetta G4R.

Gilmartin led from the start of race one and retired after one lap due to a fuel supply problem.
Baillie took over at the front and remained there until Simpson passed on lap five.
Bruce Weir, Datsun 260Z, started at the back of the grid, climbing rapidly to third place by lap four
and remained there until the end. Matthew Gordon, TVR3000M finished fourth.
Alasdair Coates, Ford Mustang, and Jimmy Crow, Ford Escort, battled throughout the race – Coates
crossed the finish line – 0.02 seconds ahead.
Mike Stewart, Marcos GT, was seventh, Richard Merrell in eighth was first of the Alfas.


Keiron Baillie pulled ahead of Harry Simpson at the start of race two.
His lead was short lived as the Ginetta driver passed him on lap two and was never headed.
Baillie remained in second place until the end, posting the fastest lap of the race.
Gilmartin powered through the field to third place, finishing just ahead of Weir.
Stan Bernard, another driver with difficulties in race one,
also charged past slower cars to finish fifth.
Matthew Gordon took sixth place.

Bruce Weir was voted ‘Classics Driver of The Day’.

Class Winners
Race 1 Race 2

A Motherwell Daltrey
B Stewart Stewart
C Crow Crow
D Weir Weir
E Coates Gilmartin
G Simpson Simpson


Photos

Alfa field together, race one, lap one
29 Richard Merrell
4 Stan Bernard
Beginning of race one
12 Ciprian Nistorica
85 Drummond Bone 54 Howard Gordon

[Malcolm Smith]

Photos

50 Matthew Gordon leads Jimmy Crow and Bruce Weir
32 Alasdair Coates ahead of 21 Jimmy Crow
68 Rodger Motherwell
39 Harry Simpson 47 Kieron Baillie
14 Mike Stewart ahead of Richard Merrell
17 Ian Daltrey 81 James Braid

[Malcolm Smith]

Photos

77 Tommy Gilmartin 74 Bruce Weir
Alfa Romeo group
TVR Escort Porsche battle
12 Ciprian Nistorica
81 James Braid
39 Harry Simpson

[RichardM]

Hi Malcolm - fab picture of all the Alfas together - I wonder if I might get permission to share on the AROC club site and, maybe, in the magazine too (with, of course, the appropriate acknowledgements). Please let me know - Richard Merrell (#29)

[Mistron]

Sorry for a slight thread diversion, but I don't suppose anyone knows of anyone looking for an affordable car to enter the championships? I'm selling my early Clubmans / F1200 project (would suit class G or H, I think) on Ebay with little success, and I think location may be an issue for many, but as I'm in Dunfermline, maybe I should be looking closer to home?

Cheers,

Al

[Malcolm Smith]

Originally Posted by RichardM

Hi Malcolm - fab picture of all the Alfas together - I wonder if I might get permission to share on the AROC club site and, maybe, in the magazine too (with, of course, the appropriate acknowledgements). Please let me know - Richard Merrell (#29)

Hi Richard, pleased to see a Scottish Classics driver joining 10/10.

You are welcome use the picture on the AROC site and in the magazine.

I will send you a Personal Message to arrange sending of the original higher resolution image to you.

[RichardM]

Hi Malcolm - thanks so much. Will look at the PM

[Malcolm Smith]

TV Coverage

Highlights of the August races are due to be shown on Motors TV, 2nd September, 18.54H.


September and October meetings: Competitor Guest Entry

Guest competitors can enter the last two meetings with free championship registration (no points scored).
All guest cars have to comply with regulations and provide a TIF document for signature by the eligibility scrutineer in advance of entering. Further information at:

http://www.scottishmotorracingclub.co.uk/2013-championships-classic-sport-and-saloons-cup.html

[Malcolm Smith]

Next two rounds are at Knockhill on 13th September.

Current Overall championship positions:

1st Howard Gordon
2nd Stan Bernard
3rd Bruce Weir

[Malcolm Smith]

Shonny Paterson won both races at Knockhill last Sunday, his Triumph TR7V8 finishing just ahead of the Porsche 911 of Stan Bernard on both occasions. The event attracted a small gird of twelve cars, with several regulars absent due to forthcoming visit to the Spa Six Hours meeting and others at the Ingliston revival.
Weather conditions were changeable, from dry qualifying to damp races.

The first race was halted after two laps, due to a serious accident. Bruce Weir, Datsun 260Z, experienced mechanical failure and came to a halt just after the chicane. His car was struck by the Ferrari 308GTB of Mario Ferrari. Both drivers were taken to hospital in Kirkcaldy – thankfully their injuries are not too serious
and they both appear to be recovering well.

Stan Bernard has taken over the championship lead. This follows Howard Gordon’s failure to finish in race
one and his reduced points in race two, due to there being no other cars in his class.

The final two races are at Knockhill on 4th October.

[Malcolm Smith]

Highlights of the two September races will be shown on Motors TV, Wednesday 30th September, 19.25h.


Final two races of this season are Knockhill on Sunday 4th October.

Eighteen entrants so far, three of whom have a chance of becoming overall champion. Current points:

1 Stan Bernard 277

2 Howard Gordon 272

3 Keiron Baillie 229