AS seems to be traditional, the Easter weekend saw a mixed bag of weather and it was a windy and shower-filled afternoon that greeted drivers, teams and fans as they gathered at HRP Lochgelly Raceway this past Saturday for the latest slice of stock car action presented by Hardie Race Promotions, writes our Raceway reporter Les Waller.

One good thing about HRP Lochgelly Raceway is the trackside parking which offers dozens of car drivers and their families the opportunity to remain in the comfort of their own vehicles on more inclement evenings and this facility was certainly popular this past Saturday as Hardie Race Promotions offered fans a four formula, fourteen race spectacular featuring 1300 Stock Cars, CC Rods, Ministox and 2.0 Hot Rods.

Unusually, Hardie Race Promotions had announced earlier in the week that there would be four races for the Ministox as opposed to the usual three and therefore the 11-16 year olds were first on track to kick-off the evening’s action.

Seventeen cars arrived to do battle and all drivers received a free Easter Egg courtesy of the generous people of the Ninja Kart Disco Fund.

Euan Millar and Steven Burgoyne have been Scotland’s top two Ministox drivers for some time now and the duo scythed their way through the field to claim the top honours in heat one with Millar taking the win ahead of Burgoyne and a resurgent Bryan Lindsay who looked to be enjoying the greasy track conditions.

The second heat saw what must be a maiden win for current Ninja Kart Scottish Champion Mitchell Gold following his graduation to Ministox late last year.

Gold drove with great maturity to head a star-studded field home with Millar and Burgoyne rounding out the top three and it will surely be the first win of many for the Milton of Balgonie youngster.

The feature final saw the usual suspects of Millar and Burgoyne making their familiar rapid progress through the field but Heat Two winner Gold had certainly taken advantage of his starting position to remain well ahead of the dynamic duo as the laps wound down.

Indeed, it was until the closing stages of the race that Millar overhauled Gold to demote him to a second place that he held on to until the chequered flag to join final winner Millar and third-placed Burgoyne on the podium.

The Grand National race would finish off the night’s Ministox action with Millar electing to start from his usual position rather than the lap handicap. This proved to be a wise choice as he took his third win of the evening ahead of Burgoyne and Gold who had enjoyed easily his best set of Ministox results so far in his blossoming career.

The Ministox always put on some great action at HRP Lochgelly Raceway and the youngsters certainly did not disappoint this past Saturday!

The 2.0 Hot Rods were back in action and it was bad timing for Andrew Denholm who was seen in the crowd while he awaits the return of his engine.

And we must also make special mention of Billy Bonnar as the Lochore pilot raced his 2.0 Hot Rod at HRP Lochgelly Raceway in between racing his National Hot Rod at Cowdenbeath – a huge effort from Billy and the team that deserves huge credit for his dedication to his sport.

Bonnar would have to settle for fourth place in heat one as National Points leader Robbie Burgoyne made rapid progress from the very rear of the grid to take the win back to Falkirk ahead of Jock Campbell who took a heat and final winning double last time out and Gordon Alexander.

Kelty’s Kinzie Law has already taken his car to victory lane this year and repeated the feat in heat two as he managed to stay ahead of Superstars Burgoyne and Gordon Alexander.

The final was a fast and furious race which saw the drivers continue to battle a track that was less than ideal for the powerful hot rods but it did not deter London Champion Gordon Alexander who took a great win ahead of Burgoyne while Bonnar got rewarded for his evening’s exploits with a podium finish in the feature final.

The 2.0 Hot Rods are back next Saturday with National Champion Gavin Botfield confirming his intention to race for only the second time in Scotland.

HRP’s own low-budget non-contact class were back in action as the CC Rods returned to the track with another good field of cars.

The final formula on show were the HRP 1300 Stock Cars who appeared with a slightly depleted field after recent action-packed exploits but those that were in attendance put on a great show!

Lanarkshire’s Eddie Corr continued his good early season form as he took the spoils in heat one ahead of Lochgelly’s own Euan Mathieson and Coaltown of Wemyss’ Callum Barclay.

Another trophy stayed in Fife as Methil’s Stevie Gold claimed victory in heat two ahead of fellow Fifer Craig Haxton and Denny’s Jason Secker. Secker has looked quick from the very first practice session this year and he has certainly been in the thick of the action and his hard work paid off in the feature final this past Saturday as he bested the rest of the field to take a fantastic win ahead of Barclay and Haxton.

With the formula always offering the best in stock car action the 1300 Stock Cars were also scheduled to have an extra race with Secker, like Millar in the Ministox electing to start in his usual place at the rear of the grid.

While Secker took a fine third place in this race; he had no answer for a fast moving Euan Mathieson who stayed ahead of Craig Haxton to take an excellent win to round off a great evening of entertainment at HRP Lochgelly Raceway.

Credit must go to Secker who left the event to head to Nutts Corner in Norther Ireland where he posted a second in heat one, third in heat two and a great third place in the feature final last Sunday afternoon.

News also reached us that Chris Lattka had successfully defended his Irish Open Championship last Saturday in the Stock Rods on a weekend where HRP drivers highlighted their determination, dedication and credentials to be classed among the very best in short oval motorsport regardless of the track!

Next Saturday sees HRP Lochgelly Raceway host the first major championship in Scotland this year as the Ninja Karts headline the event as the very best young pilots from all corners of the short oval world will descend on HRP Lochgelly Raceway to contest the LJN deSIGNS European Championship!

This promises to be a great event and the youngsters are ably supported by the Superstox, Stock Rods and 2.0 Hot Rods next Saturday April 2 from 6pm.