In one of the closest racing seasons in Scotland of all time, FIVE out of the eight premier car Championships are still to be decided at Knockhill on Sunday 9th October. Racers from all corners of Scotland have been battling wheel to wheel since early April and it is still all to play for in the majority of championships.
Top Edinburgh Mini Cooper challengers David Sleigh and Vic Covey Jnr are only 20 points apart having amassed over 240 each as they duel for the Celtic Speed Mini Cooper Cup. The brothers David and Tim Sleigh have taken the established Mini competitors by storm over the last couple of seasons as brother Tim has already clinched the Newcomers Club. David, a previous Scottish Fiesta Champion and Hillclimb champion, is hoping to become a triple champion by adding the coveted Celtic Speed Cup to his Trophy cabinet.
David said “Winning the championship with 3 race wins would be the ultimate result, but a tall order especially with the reversed grid format for the third race where anything can happen, and usually does! That said, I’m racing for the championship, so getting enough points and avoiding uncertain risks is the game plan, maybe just giving 99% effort this time would be best! My bother Tim is only one point clear of 3rd overall so we will be gunning for him to secure a podium step of the championship and provide a great result for Team Sleigh Racing.”
The Classic racers are still putting on a battle although Stan Barnard from Patterton in his Classic Porsche has a clear advantage over Alloa race ace John Marshall in his stunning Ford Escort MK2. John will be a busy man as he is also in contention for the Legends Championship as he is lying joint 5th, although his son Ross has a stronger chance of over coming the lead driver Carol Brown from Falkirk. Carol, who is the only female driver to win a Championship outright in the history of the Scottish motor sport is hoping to repeat that feat, however, Gerard McCosh from Biggar is aiming for his title glory being only 105 points behind Carols amazing total of 3495pts.
Russell Milloy from Pitcaple will be hoping to maintain his slender lead over Peter Cruickshank from Glasgow as he has a 26 point advantage, whilst the other Fiesta Championship for the modern STi’s is already decided with Dalmeny racer Rory Bryant clinching the title for the second time.
Three drivers will be nose to tail and wheel to wheel in the Scottish Sports and Saloon Championship as Gary Watson from Lauder in his Westfield sports car has a 22 point lead over Philip Duncan (from Portlethen in his Westfield) and a further one point ahead of Paul Nevill.
Events Director Stuart Gray said “2011 has been a vintage year for Scottish motor sport and it is only right that so many Championships are going to the wire. It is amazing that five out of eight are still to be decided considering how many races have been hosted. With record grids, great TV coverage and the Minis and Classics excelling at the BTCC event too, the Scottish racers have put on an excellent display of close, hard fought racing this season”.