2015 Scottish Classic Sports and Saloons

[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

[Malcolm Smith]

Photos 3.

[Malcolm Smith]

Photos 4.

[Malcolm Smith]

Photos 5.

[Malcolm Smith]

Donington race highlights on Motors TV today, 15th July,
at 5.20pm.

[Malcolm Smith]

The next two rounds are at Knockhill on 19th July.
Seventeen entries have been received, a good response
from drivers during the holiday season.

Welcome to new competitors:

James Braid, Alfa Romeo GT Junior
Drummond Bone, Alfa Romeo Giulia Sprint GT

Prior to this weekend, Howard Gordon leads the championship
from Bruce Weir and Alasdair Coates.

[Malcolm Smith]

Shonny Paterson, Triumph TR7V8, won both races on 19th July,
followed each time by Harry Simpson in a Ginetta G4R.
Raymond Boyd, Porsche 911, was third in race one - Keiron Baillie, Lotus7,
took third place in race two.
These races are on Motors TV – Wednesday 5th August at 18.55h.

Howard Gordon, MG Midget, continues to lead the championship, followed by
Stan Bernard, Porsche 911 and Alasdair Coates, Ford Mustang.

The next two races are at Knockhill on 16th August.

[Malcolm Smith]

August 16th meeting

ENTRIES

Twenty entrants so far, including six driving Alfa Romeos:

Class A
Ian Daltrey
Howard Gordon
Rodger Motherwell

Class B
Ciprian Nistorica
Mike Stewart

Class C
James Braid
Jimmy Crow
Richard Merrell
J Drummond Bone

Class D
Stan Bernard
Ian Blacklin
Grant Allan
Raymond Boyd
Matthew Gordon
Bruce Weir

Class E
Shonny Paterson
Tommy Gilmartin
Alasdair Coates

Class G
Harry Simpson
Keiron Baillie

(list courtesy of Ian Morton)


SPECTATORS

Ticket offer available at:

http://www.gomotorsport.net/



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

[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

[Malcolm Smith]

Another fine season of Scottish Classic Sports and saloons racing was concluded on 4th October.
Stan Bernard, Porsche 911, is the overall champion, repeating his success in 2011.
Runner-up was Howard Gordon, MG Midget, who led for most of the season, but suffered mechanical
problems at the last two meetings. Keiron Baillie, Lotus 7 finished third.

2015 Class Winners:

A Howard Gordon
B Mike Stewart
C Jimmy Crow
D Stan Bernard
E Alasdair Coates
G Keiron Baillie
H Ian Baines


Nineteen drivers attended the races on 4th October, both won by Tommy Gilmartin, Morgan +8.
Andy Smith, also in a Morgan +8, made his first appearance of the season. He finished second each time,
followed closely by Harry Simpson, Ginetta G4R in race one and Raymond Boyd, Porsche 911, in race two.

Forty-two competitors, including five as guests, appeared throughout 2015. This was an increase on last season and hopefully will lead to well-supported events in 2016.

P H O T O S
Start of Race 1
#17 Ian Daltrey leading from #54 Howard Gordon
#77 Tommy Gilmartin ahead of # 73 Andy Smith
#39 Harry Simpson in 3rd place, #49 Raymond Boyd in 4th place
#50 TVR3000m of Matthew Gordon
Grid assembling for Race 2

[Malcolm Smith]

P H O T O S:

#39 Harry Simpson struggles in his approach to the hairpin
#35 Ian Blacklin’s Ford Capri 3000 just ahead of Grant Allan’s Porsche 911
Champion Stan Bernard, Porsche 911 and #47 Kieron Baillie in a Lotus 7
One of many crowd-pleasing slides from Warren Dunbar in his Jaguar XJS
#81 James Braid, Alfa Romeo Junior GT, # 85 John Bennett, Alfa Romeo Sprint GT
#51 Alex Montgomery, MGB GT V8