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Nineteen cars took to the track last Saturday in excellent weather,
mostly sunny intervals and relatively warm for October in Knockhill.
Regular winner, John Kinmond, Rover SD1, led qualifying. Closely behind
was David Brown, TVR Griffith, having his first event in Scottish Classics,
entered in Class C which is the invitation category for cars not complying with the championship technical regulations.
Andy Graham, TR7V8 was third, Adam Bernard, Porsche 911, in fourth place.
Another TR7V8, driven by Shonny Paterson, fifth fastest and last year’s
champion Bruce Mitchell, Lotus Europa, completed the top six.
One of the most exciting races for several years had Kinmond and Brown
circulating together, the Rover one second ahead after twelve laps. Similarly competitive was the charge to third place, where Graham got ahead of Paterson
on lap eleven. Bernard was fifth, having led both TR7V8s in the early part
of the race.
Sixth was Scott Brennan, Ford Mustang, posting his fastest ever time at the circuit. He had swapped places with seventh placed Mitchell a couple of times, less than a second being the difference at the end.
Alasdair Coates’ immaculate RS2000 was eighth, from Craig Houston, MGBV8.
Previous champion, Alastair Baptie, Fiat X1/9 was tenth, having circulated millimetres apart from Jimmy Crow, RS2000, until Crow’s spin on lap eight slowed the progress of both drivers. Mario Ferrari, Alfasud was eleventh,
and Crow, twelfth.
MX5 Championship regulars, Dugald and Andrew MacGregor returned to Knockhill to provide great entertainment on their way to thirteenth and fourteenth respectively. Duncan O’Neill, XR2, Michael Longstaffe, MG Midget, Bruce McWhirter, Austin A35 and Davd Robb, Cooper S, took the remaining places.
Race two was very entertaining although interrupted by two safety car incidents..
Bruce McWhirter rolled his A35 on lap five – thankfully he was able to exit unaided as soon as a marshal was able to open the passenger’s door. Damage to the car seemed light – hopefully we will see him back on track soon. Prior to this, Brown’s TVR failed on lap one and had to be recovered
Kinmond continue on his winning way, from Graham and Paterson respectively. The TR7V8 drivers were 0.15 seconds apart at the finish.
Bernard was a comfortable fourth. Mitchell led Coates and Brennan – these three crossed the finish line within two seconds. Eighth was Baptie from Houston and Crow completed the top ten.
Photos attached, more to follow.
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