DESPITE there being meetings south of the border there was a good turn out of cars for the last practice session at the Cowdenbeath Racewall on Sunday afternoon.

The weather was dry but chilly although towards the end of the session snowy flakes began to fall!

Amongst the new faces were Gary Scollen, Shaun McArthur, Callum Farrance and Kyle Roberts.

Alan Edmiston was back in formula IIs whilst James Letford had switched from prostox to saloons.

James Strath was back in the saloons whilst Mark Somerville had changed to the lightning rods and Dougie Millar was another having an outing in the Alex Hamilton formula II.

In the formula IIs Craig Wallace proved to be the quickest of the drivers from Marc Fortune and Gregor Turner (Dunfermline) with Edmiston not that far adrift.

Kieran Howie (Dunfermline) put in some quick laps although he encountered a problem or two but hopefully he will have them resolved for next week.

Newcomers Dale Burt (Lochgelly) and Jason Blacklock, his car now sign written, were going well and must be looking forward to the start of the season.

Holly Glen was another giving her car a shakedown for the start of the season and she will be hoping for a good start after ending up as the top lady point scorer last year.

In the saloons James Strath brought out his new and impressive looking saloon and gave the car a good debut session where he certainly wasn’t hanging about, posting in some impressive times.

Gary Scallon and James Letford were having their debut outings in the 2 litre saloons and will be reasonably pleased although the latter had a problem or two to overcome throughout the session.

In the stock rods the Fife trio of Michael Bethune (Kirkcaldy), Jim Pitcaithly (Kirkcaldy) and James Matson (Glenrothes) were certainly quick and they should be fighting it out for the top spot this year.

Cameron Doak was another that looked quick whilst Duncan Welsh (Kelty), Steve Archibald ( Glenrothes) and Paul Prentice weren’t that far off the pace. However Trevor Calvin hit mechanical troubles early on and didn’t reappear.

Newcomer Shaun McArthur (Methil) had a few changes to make to his car before he took to the track but then lapped quickly on his first session.

Newcomer Kyle Roberts had a good first outing with his mini whilst Bryan Lindsay was the quickest.

However, Michael Mitchell (Lochgelly), Gary Paterson (Cowdenbeath), Danny Whyte (Lochgelly), Taylor Borthwick and Logan Bruce showed a good turn of speed with Bruce a bit spectacular at times!

In the 1300cc saloons Grant McGowan was the fastest but Lee Wilson (Comrie) wasn’t that far off the pace whilst Brian Allan spent time getting his girl friend’s car set up.

There were a few microf2s out practicing with Jamie Dawson just that bit faster than Hannah Borthwick but not by all that much. Leon Muir (Thornton) put in some quick laps whilst Ross McLaughlin ran well during the session.

This Saturday is the opening meeting of the Racewall calendar for 2016 and to get the season started it’s the BriSCA formula IIs, the 2 Litre National saloons, the ORCi stock rods and the prostox that are on show.

With Gordon Moodie eyeing up another National Points Title he is almost certain to be in action as he looks to get his season off to a strong start. Chris Burgoyne should also be there and with only Coventry holding a meeting that night then there is a good chance that George MacMillan Jnr will be appearing. Craig Wallace has had two good practice sessions and he will be keen to try out his new car with the top drivers whilst Marc Fortune is back after suspension. There are rumours that Willie Murray may make the journey over from Northern Ireland and as the Racewall is the only tarmac meeting there may well be a few drivers from the north east heading north.

Newcomers Dale Burt and Jason Blacklock will be keen to get their season off to a good start.

Whilst the new saloons of Barry Glen and James Strath will grab the eye look for the Scottish Champion Luke Grief hoping to get off to a flying start. Barry Russell will be hoping that he has rid himself of the mechanical problems that had beset him whilst Paul Honeyman will be hoping to get into the victory circle early on. Look for Graeme Shevill making a strong start to the season as he looks to dominate. There may even be a visit from the National Points Champion Danny Colliver but that is not confirmed at this stage.

It will be interesting to see how the new saloon drivers fare once they take to the track and have to contend with the top drivers.

The stock rods look to be in for a good season and after the practice sessions there doesn’t appear to be too much separating the World Champion Bethune, Pitcaithly and Matson whilst Stuart McKinnon won’t be that far off the pace.

As usual it’s a 6.00pm start and hopefully the weather will be dry and not that cold – maybe that is too much to hope for!

Down south there were meetings on at Birmingham and King’s Lynn on the Saturday and Skegness and Belle Vue on the Sunday for the formula IIs on Saturday with a few of the Scottish drivers having a weekend away.

At Birmingham Gordon Moodie (Windygates) picked up a second and a third in his heats but had to retire from the final whilst Robbie Dawson finished in eighth then tenth in his heats but improved to a fourth in the final.

At King’s Lynn George MacMillan Jnr picked up a 4th and then a tenth in the final which was won by Rob Speak.

At Skegness Moodie started off with a fourth in heat one, won heat two and the final before adding an eighth to his tally in the Grand National.