SMRC - Round 7 - 2010

21st August 2010 - Legends Scottish Championship in association with Specsavers
Round Seven, Knockhill

This meeting was in memory of the late, great Bernard Hunter. He was never shy of any challenge from motorsport to flying planes and helicopters (the latter being easy to park at home). Bernard also was a very kind giver to lots of charities and never forgot where he started from. So, with a big smile that he always had on his face, let's all remember tomorrow never comes. RIP Bernard Hunter.

We had five cars out testing at Knockhill on Friday with John and Robert Marshall in their Escorts that would be racing in the Classic Sports and Saloons. Keiren Murray and Alasdair Gauld were there with the former's brakes being sorted and Aly sadly getting one of those hard to track misfires. Keiren's engine came to a halt with a broken camshaft so the guys set about the cars until the early hours to get things right.

It turned out that John Marshall's new engine in his Escort had a broken con-rod so his brother Robert generously offer the use of his Mk2 Escort for the meeting - Robert has not raced in the Classics yet and of course John is a championship contender. In return John offered Robert the use of his Legends car as JM is not chasing points in that class. Robert seemed to like the idea of having another go in Legends - it's been a long while since he had driven one.

It was an early start and this Saturday meeting had a much different feel to our normal Sunday ones. Alan and his daughter Maxine came along to help on the day along with my welder Bob and his little girl Robyn - what a great help they were looking after everyone along with former stock car ace Bob Jones (151) coming to help out the TV crew with his cherry picker and the rest of my team - it turned out to be a busy day.

We had Ross Marshall back out in his car and in the practice session it turned out that he was fastest with Ross Mickel hard on his tail. I am sure Craig Mitchell has found his pace and he was 3rd fastest with Carol Brown just getting together with her car yet again in 10th. Keiren was not finding his gear shift too great and he was well down the order in 17th but happy with his car. Alasdair still had his misfire and Robert had not tested in Legends on Friday but was 19th out of 21 so not unhappy.

Carol and Alasdair were on the front for race one with Ross in 10th and Kerien in 11th. Robert did the best thing and started at the back. Carol got off to a good start but Alan Wood in car 44 got out of shape and collected a few cars. Keiren tried to stay out of trouble but got collected along with Alasdair. Ross was on the move chasing Carol and taking a great win after a last lap move around the outside with Carol 2nd. Robert drove well from the back into 14th - pretty good for a first time back. Alasdair retired with damage whilst Keiren wound up in the gravel trap.

Ali's car had the nerf-bar pushed in and collapsed on the exhaust. Keiren had suspension damage but all was sorted for race two. Ross was in the middle with Carol at the back and Keiren 6th. Robert remained with the Gentleman's group at the back. Ross fought hard again to make it win number 2 chased hard by Ross Mickel and Ben Mason. It turns out that Ross Mickel had been a bad boy and the places were changed after the race but in any case Ross Marshall had taken the win with Carol in 11th (doubling up in the Minis again) and loving her time in Legends Cars. Keiren was back to form with an excellent 6th and Ali G was 10th with Robert Marshall 20th. Colin Atkinson got fastest lap.

Ross was starting the final right at the back as top points scorer. Keiren and Ali were on the 2nd row with Carol near the back having scored well in the first two races.

The start of the final was not good for Ross Marshall who was set on winning the third race. He had a coming together with Ross Mickel that put him in last place. He tried to pick his way through the field and attracted the black and white flag at one point as he was clearly on the edge. He was up into 3rd on the last lap but spun and dropped to 14th. Colin Atkinson took a deserved win - the championship looking like it will between him, the Masons and Mickel. Keiren took an excellent 7th place. Carol was taken out on lap 3 after a collision with Errico Palazzo who in turn thought he had been tagged by Tony Caig. Ross Marshall bagged fastest lap.