Smith Takes Banger Wildcard

Race Results: Saturday 23rd September

CC Rods
Heat 1: 267, 671, 171, 170, 195, 06, 76, 289, 69, 20
Heat 2: 20, 69, 171, 671, 289, 267, 170, 06, 337, 76
Final: 671, 267, 171, 170, 20, 289, 337, 69, 06, 76

Junior Productions
Heat 1: 10, 636, 441, 112, 49, 9, 307, 5, 579, 156
Heat 2: 441, 5, 112, 307, 9, 10, 636, 901, 49, 74
Final: 112, 10, 441, 307, 9, 313, 49, 321, 145, 636

2.0 Hot Rods
Heat 1: 67, 178, 82, 147, 9, 703, 40, 636, 123
Heat 2: 178, 67, 147, 9, 703, 40, 123, 636
Final: 67, 147, 178, 9, 703, 636, 123

Micro Bangers
Heat 1: 99, 164, 231, 74, 427
Heat 2: 231, 164, 99, 69, 209, 74
Final: 164, 69, 99, 209, 74
DD: 69

It was a brisk night at Lochgelly on Saturday, with a mix of non contact formula and bangers looking to provide the entertainment on track.

The Micro Bangers raced for a chance to win a wildcard entry into the 2023 World Cup – which takes place on the 14th and 15th October weekend here at Lochgelly Raceway. Despite car numbers lower than we had hoped for, there was some good action throughout the night from the banger formula – most notably a massive rollover for James Slater, who found himself barrel-rolling towards the barrier after a coming together with Jamie Sangster. Lee Clarke tested one of his Micro Bangers for the World Cup weekend, with him picking up a race win in the opening race, and managing to put James Mellin hard into the wall at the end of the race too. Just what he was after – something quick, and something that can crash too!! Grant Barker took a win in the 2nd heat before failing to finish the meeting final after a coming together early on in the race. Gary Mentiplay took the win in the meeting final, but it would be Scott Smith that took the wildcard spot, mostly thanks to his win in the DD at the end of the night.

The CC Rods were with us for the first of two successive meetings, with them back in action this weekend as well. There was no Alex Cunningham at the weekend, with his partner expected to give birth on the same day so parental / partner duties prevailed!! The CC Rod formula has seen some great racing this year, with a fairly evenly matched field of drivers, and this has enabled a multi driver battle for the points championship. Steven Adair continued his good form, with another race win in the opening heat, before Brian Allen took victory in heat 2, with Brandon Gourlay taking the win in the meeting final. Ian Christie continues to lead the way at the top of the points charts, but with only a few meetings left, Lee Scott has fell away somewhat, but is still within distance. Kevin Hutchison has found good form, and is making up ground quickly on the pair ahead, whilst Gregor Whyte continues about his business flying under the radar!

The Junior Productions like the CC Rods, only have a few meetings left of their 2023 season – with them next being in action on the 14th and 15th October, as they race for their Scottish Open Championship. Billie-Summer Glen took to the track in her new car, and it certainly seems to be showing good performance, as she picked up her best results in the formula to date. Jack Baird had a fantastic meeting, as the youngster showed what he was capable of, storming to a fantastic race win in the meeting final, which could have been a double had he not had a jump start penalty in the preceding heat too. Aberdeenshire based Callahan Bremner has had a good season, and took a deserving victory in the opening heat of the night, followed across the line by Lewis Duffy and Aiden McKinnon. McKinnon would go on to take victory in heat 2, having inherited the race win following the demotion of the 112 car. Connor St Aubyn took away a runners up spot for his efforts, a good result considering the run of luck that the youngster has had of late. The meeting final was another great race from the Junior Production class, with some great overtaking, and closely fought battles. Baird would take a deserved victory, despite a coming together on the last lap with Billie-Summer glen that nearly cost him the race. Callahan Bremner took 2nd, just behind Baird, with McKinnon completing the top 3. There was good performances from Lewis Dickson, who competed from the red grade for the first time this season, whilst Callum Ritchie continued to make progress in the formula as well.

The 2.0 Hot Rods were the final formula in attendance, with Keith Brown hoping to push on in the points championships following his Scottish Championship success last weekend. It wasn’t to be a great night for the 82 car though, with him retiring in the 2nd heat and failing to appear for the final due to the terminal issues. Frankie Cunningham took full advantage though, with the driver taking victory in the opening heat, and meeting final. There was a moment of fear though at the end of the first race, as it appeared that the 67 car would be docked a couple of places, however, the honesty of the other driver seen the 67 car keep his place. Mark Dews has had a good season, and his good results continued on Saturday, as he finished in the top three in all three races – a win in heat 2, a 2nd in heat 1, and a 3rd in the meeting final ensuring he finished in all of the podium places on the night. Gerry Hendry seen himself close the gap to Keith Brown in the track championship, and with only a couple of meetings left of the season, that battle could go down to the wire!!

We are back in action this Saturday at Lochgelly Raceway, with a fantastic event in prospect. The 1300 Stock Cars race in their Craig McNicoll Memorial event with some great prizes on offer, the Ninja Karts compete in their JusBounce event, and the ProStocks and CC Rods both also feature – 6pm start time. Check our website at www.hardieracepromotions.co.uk for the latest news, results and information!

View event laptimes on Speedhive