Buchan Takes Hat-Trick In Classical Style

Race Results: Saturday 25th March

2.0 Hot Rods
Heat 1: 21, 147, 178, 144, 23, 82, 107, 610, 755, 703
Heat 2: 178, 147, 23, 82, 107, 610, 21, 755, 13, 703
Final: 23, 21, 82, 147*, 107, 144, 178*, 610, 755, 13

Classic Hot Rods
Heat 1: 300, 316, 162, 631, 70, 84, 59
Heat 2: 300, 316, 162, 871, 631, 70, 84, 59
Final: 300, 871, 162, 316, 70, 84, 59

Ministox
Heat 1: 6, 45, 167, 629, 42, 145, 7, 388, 699, 165
Heat 2: 84, 42, 7, 145, 165, 172, 680, 6, 050, 167
Final: 42, 167, 60, 014, 165, 84, 629, 172, 145, 6

Superstox
Heat 1: 119, 611, 171, 217*, 453, 446, 34, 128*, 99, 703
Heat 2: 446, 119, 217, 171, 309, 128, 99, 611, 703, 453
Final: 217, 171, 446, 119, 309, 453, 128, 34, 99, 703

1600 Rookie Bangers
Heat 1: 246, 231, 390, 323, 499, 133, 448
Heat 2: 231, 390, 246, 323, 133, 448
Final: 246, 323, 390, 231, 448, 133

Buchan Takes Hat-Trick In Classical Style

It was a lively evening on Saturday night at Lochgelly Raceway, with great racing on offer.

The youngsters in the Ministox seen just under 30 cars take to the track and as a result, provided scintillating racing from the outset, with little in the way of stoppages. Hamish Plenderleith continued his impressive start to the 2023 campaign, taking victory in the first race, albeit, by the narrowest of margins having made the move for the lead on the last corner to overcome novice Dougie Kidd. There was chaotic scenes behind the lead 2 cars as well, as the rest of the pack battled for third position – a train of cars would go in hard, with cars spinning on the exit of turn 4. Sam Cavanagh would come out in third place, just ahead of Kerr Paterson. Heat 2 was much the same – more great racing, and an eventful affair. A race caution after just 1 lap would see the pack lined up in single file order – much to the delight of Charlie Hardie who found himself a lap adrift at the beginning as he was caught up with Jamie Dawson. The race caution, allowed Hardie to unlap himself and join on at the back of the grid. Hardie had the bit between his teeth thereafter, as he charged through the field, and took several drivers on the last lap of the race to claim a great third place finish. 2022 track champion, Robbie Armit would take victory ahead of Jake Wilson, having swooped for the lead in the closing laps. The meeting final would see Wilson come out on top – but was perhaps a tad fortunate, having been caught up in a crash involving Bobby Brandon earlier in the race. Fortunately for Wilson though, the yellow flags were already out before he crashed, and was able to re-take his original position at the time of the caution. Sam Cavanagh, who has also started the 2023 season in great form, took second place ahead of Bailey Millar, who was making his first appearance of the season at Lochgelly Raceway. Ben McLellan, Cole Ford and Eevie Ford, all also made their season debuts. The Ministox are back in action with us on Saturday 15th April – be sure to join us for that one!

The Superstox have seen numbers increase with each passing meeting this year, and it was great to see John Rankin and Mick Taylor make their first appearances of the year. The increased numbers seen come great racing as a result – Bryan Forrest tangling with Dean Johnston in the opening race of the night, nearly seen the 309 car flip over. Aaron Riddell took another victory, as he claimed the opening race of the night ahead of Adam Low and Mark Brady. Heat 2 would be another excellent race from the Superstox formula – a last lap shootout seen Jack Turbitt lose his advantage at the front of the pack, with Dean Johnston, Aaron Riddell and Mark Brady all on his tail as a result. As the cars entered the final corner, the bumpers would go in, and the three cars at the front – Johnston, Riddell and Turbitt, all crossed the line within a cars length. Johnston finding the grip to drag his cars across the line to take the win – narrowly – from Aaron Riddell and Jack Turbitt just behind. Turbitt would take a win on the night – a much deserved win for his efforts, as he raced to an emphatic victory in the meeting final, with Mark Brady just behind, and Dean Johnston coming home in third position. The Superstox are back with us on the 15th April, with a couple of more drivers expected to be on track.

Classic Hot Rods are a formula that are just pure eye-candy – a draw back to the 80s era of Hot Rod racing with Escorts, Anglias and Sunbeams populating the track. A decent turn out for the nostalgic formula would see Paul Frost make the trip north to get in some testing ahead of the Classic Hot Rod Scottish Championship weekend on the 22nd and 23rd April here at Lochgelly Raceway. The night didn’t start great for Frost, as he had problems in practice, which he managed to rectify for the meeting itself. Graham Calendar was quickest in practice, but heat 1 seen him have issues with his bonnet pins – as the bonnet looked to release, forcing the 871 car onto the infield. John Buchan was the driver to beat on the night however, as he swept to a fantastic hat-trick of victories. Paul Frost, Keith Chesher and Graham Calendar all looked strong throughout the night as they battled for second place between them. Stephen Spence made his debut in the class, whilst Keiran Johnson and Davie Low continued to build on their experience.

The 2.0 Hot Rods have had a good start to the year, with a competitive field of cars. A range of winners had already been seen so far, and it was another meeting with three different race winners – Ethan Doull took victory in heat 1, before Mark Dews claimed the win in heat 2, and James Morris took another final win in the third race of the night. Gerry Hendry made a return to action having missed the first meeting, and never looked out of place, and was unfortunate to not take away a second place finish in the final, but was deemed to have jumped the start knocking him back a couple of places. Ryan Mackie was another who made their first outings of the year.

The 1600 bangers seen multiple English based drivers make the trip to be with us. Dylan Ward took a heat and final double, with Grant Barker taking victory in the other heat.

Be sure to join us this Saturday at Lochgelly Raceway for another action packed night of racing, featuring the 1300 Stock Cars, Service Central Ninja Karts, Stock Rods and National Hot Rods.

View event laptimes on Speedhive