An exciting day’s reverse direction racing at Knockhill last Sunday, included the first victory for John Kinmond, Rover SD1 and a win for regular front-runner, Tommy Gilmartin, Morgan +8.
The new track layout proved successful for Classic competitors, qualifying and races passing without incident. (Some other formulae experienced accidents and delays.)
Fastest qualifier, Gilmartin, won the first race by ten seconds from Raymond Boyd, Porsche 911. Charlie Cope, Golf GTI, was third, Kinmond fourth, Alastair Baptie, Fiat X1/9, fifth. Ian Blacklin, Ford Capri, came sixth, just ahead of Mario Ferrari in an Alfasud Sprint – both cars circulating as if they were attached, for much of the race. Calum Mcrae, TVR, was next, with William Conway, Mini Cubman, Grant Allan, Porsche 914 in tenth place.
Alex Montgomery raced his recently acquired FIA MGB at Knockhill for the first time and took eleventh place. The Lotus Europa of Bruce Mitchell was declared a non-finisher after a spin close to the end of the race. Misfortune for Michael Longstaffe who retired his MG Midget after five laps.
Gilmartin couldn’t start race two due to gearbox and engine problems. Kinmond led from lap one, chased by Boyd, less than half a second behind at the end. Less than a second separated
third placed Baptie from Mitchell in fourth place. The remaining competitors finished in order: Blacklin, Ferrari, McRae, Conway, Montgomery. Grant Allan retired his Porsche 914,after having climbed to sixth place, on his first outing with this car. Disappointment too for Cope whose race ended during lap four.
Photos attached.
The next event is at Knockhill on 10th September.
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