UNFORTUNATELY due to changing circumstances the “old school” saloon races had to be cancelled on Sunday at Cowdenbeath Racewall but GMP are looking for a date in the future when perhaps the fixture could be incorporated. More news when the details are available, writes our Racewall correspondent Jim Turner.

However, the classic MG Magnette saloon belonging to Team Robertson was there painted in the livery of “Diesel Jock” was there and undertook quite a lot of laps with various drivers behind the wheel.

The first to take to the track was Gordon Brown (Alloa) who was the first Scottish driver to win the saloon World Championship back in 1983!

Gordon reckoned that the last time he raced an MG Magnette was back in 1977 or 8 before he changed to an Escort. Initially he took the car around easily but was soon feeding in the power earlier and earlier as he got used to its handling.

It was the Escort that took him to World Championship glory and the scenes that day at Cowdenbeath were full of excitement and delight as he took his parade lap in front of a packed stadium.

Whilst Brown had a couple of outings Ian Robertson (Blackridge) and Norrie Walker (Bathgate) also had outings in the car.

The practice session may not have given the drivers the information they wanted about their cars with the track wet and greasy and whilst it was mainly dry the drivers were never able to get full power from their cars.

Of the new faces in the formula IIs on show both Dale Burt (Lochgelly) and Jason Blacklock (Forth) took the opportunity of trying out their new mounts without the experienced drivers to worry about.

Both did well and must be reasonably happy with the way their cars run.

Simon Cranson (Cowdenbeath) was without doubt the quickest with his car running faultlessly through out whilst Pete Davidson (Perth) had to do a few modifications to his car.

Ryan Walker (Dunfermline) had a run in Cranson’s car whilst Adam Blacklock (Forth) did likewise in his brother’s car.

Most eyes were centred on the MG Magnette’s outings but trying out their cars were Jamie Connacher (Motherwell) and Dave Sturrock (Saline).

Connnacher was using one of the Triggs cars and took a bit of time to get used to the power of a saloon as opposed to the ministox that he drove last season. However, with every lap completed he was going quicker and quicker and could well be on for a few good results once the season starts.

Sturrock raced a saloon a few years back but has returned with another car and he too was going well.

Duncan Welsh (Kelty) and Simon Laing (St Andrews) were running their stock rods although both encountered niggling problems from time to time. However, when running they put in some neat and tidy laps.

Jamie Dawson (Aberdeen), Rebecca Reid (Cowdenbeath) and Leon Muir (Thornton) took advantage of the time to try their MicroF2s with all three going well in the conditions. Reid in fact seemed to be quite happy in the conditions giving Dawson a run for his money. There seems to be quite an interest in the MicroF2s so hopefully their numbers will be on the increase.

New faces in the minis were Logan Bruce (Brechin) and Ryan Borthwick (Armadale) the latter stepping up from the introduction formulas.

Once they got used to their surroundings they began to speed up and hopefully they will return over the next couple of weeks to gain more experience and boost their confidence.

Lauren Ford (Earlston) was having another run in her mini but a mechanical problem curtailed her time on the track. Kieran Adams (Lochgelly) was the quickest and he will be looking forward to the start of the year.

Despite the ages of the ministox drivers – 11 to 16 years – they have been very entertaining over the season past and will again do so this year.

The top two are likely to be Euan Millar (Heck) and Steven Burgoyne (Airth) with Bryan Lindsay (Forfar) not that far behind. Millar is entering his last season in the minis and he is going to have to be at his best if he is going to go out clear in the national and track points championships.

However, if he can maintain his present form then he must stand a good chance of doing so.

Last year he went on to win the Racewall track points and in doing so ended up with the silver roof and along the way picked up quite a few wins. He has already started off well winning the CHAS trophy.

Look for the girls giving the boys a hard time of it with Lisa Freebairn (Motherwell), Teri Linden (Airdrie) and Taylor Borthwick (Armadale) all having a good 2015 season and they will be hoping to continue in the same vein. Mika Millar (Gorebridge) was starting to show well towards the end of last season and when you add John Crawford (Cowdenbeath) and Michael Mitchell (Lochgelly) to the mix then we seem to be in for a good year.

Ford has shown up well in her limited outings and when you add Jack and Luke McCallum (Brampton) to the ranks the ministox formula looks to be in a healthy situation.

One meeting that the ministox drivers will be looking forward to is the running of the Keir Millar Memorial Series trophy which will be contested over the four tracks that Keir raced on during his short career, each round has attracted generous sponsorship.

The first round is staged at Barford on March 13, before Crimond stages its round on the April 17. The Lochgelly round is on the May 4with the final being held at the Racewall on May 14.

The perpetual trophy is to be kept in a display cabinet at the Racewall although the winner will receive a memento each year.

The final is held on a championship weekend sharing the headlines with the British Championships for saloons and stock rods.

The ministox National Championship is to be staged over 2 days at Crimond in September and hopefully the title will stay in Scotland.

When you add the microF2s to the scene then the junior formulas look to be in a healthy place.

Jamie Dawson was the top driver last year but he had to watch for the likes of challenges from Reid, Hannah Borthwick (Blackridge) and Lewis Burgoyne (Airth). Jimmy Cartmel (Maud) and Leon Muir came on strongly towards the close of the year so look out for them figuring in the placings on a regular basis.

Next Sunday there is another practice session which is open to all grades so look out for some of the top names bringing out their new cars in an effort to get them ready for the start of the season. However one driver who will be sidelined is Aaron Hastie (Ceres) who has injured his foot playing a silly game with a ball! We might see dad Brian out in the car until he is fit!