After a long winter, Scottish Championship Car Racing (SMRC) returned to Knockhill today (Sunday 8th April). With all the competitors eager to get back on track, the racing was frantic, exciting and filled with incident.
Stefan di Resta, making is his racing debut in the Celtic Speed Scottish Mini Copper Cup suffered a disappointing start to his racing career. Following an incident in the first Mini race of the day, di Resta was forced to watch the remaining races from the sidelines with his car unable to be fixed.
Also making her racing debut was Christie Doran, daughter of Scottish Sun columnist John Doran. Christie, who underwent an intensive training schedule last year in-order to make her racing debut at Knockhill in the Junior Ginetta Championship, took to the track today, in a mighty 3.9 litre TR8. No doubt Christie will be delighted with her opening race weekend and this should set her up for the remainder of the Scottish Classic Sports and Saloons Championship season.
On an eventful day, there were race wins for David Sleigh (Mini), Andy Smith (Classics), Stewart White (Sports & Saloons) and a trio of wins for Legends racer Ross Marshall.
Picture shows the Talking Tandams Charity members before cycling round Knockhill to raise funds for their very worth-while charity at lunchtime today.
The undoubted story of the weekend however, was that of Coleraine racer, Ivor Mairs leaving Knockhill as the current Scottish Formula Ford Championship leader. Ivor who only secured his first ever on-the-road podium last year, secured victory in the opening race due to the disqualification of Ross McEwen. That meant that Mairs would start on pole (another first) for race two in his 1984 Mondial. With both the commentary team and seasoned pros willing Mairs to win, the likeable Irishman pulled together another strong performance to come away with a much deserved, if unbelievable Championship lead.
When quizzed before the race, a surprised Ivor commented:
“I’m great, well not really, but we’ll see how it goes.”
Scottish Championship Car Racing returns to Knockhill next month (5th/6th May). Please do join us to see some fantastic racing action and to see if Ivor can maintain his Championship lead!
Images from today’s event can be found online here.