DRIVERS, teams and fans gathered under a glorious late summer sky this past Sunday to be a part of the latest slice of Stock Car action at HRP Lochgelly Raceway.

A huge sixteen race programme was the order of the day and, with five formulas racing, there was something for everyone.

The Superstox were the headline act as they gathered in good numbers to compete for their Scottish Championship with European and National Points Champion, Stuart Gilchrist, looking to hold on to his Scottish title.

Former Lightning Rod Champion and BriSCA F2 racer, Paul Winfield, made his debut in the formula but the date arrived too early for another four racers who have now purchased Superstox as the formula sees an influx of new drivers who have clearly recognised the formula’s merits and it is hoped they can join the action soon.

Back to last Sunday’s racing and the drivers were gathered together to draw for their starting positions. Lee Livingston has won his fair share of races lately and would have been many people’s favourite for the title having drawn a front row outside starting slot; that was until Gilchrist drew and, yet again, he pulled number one. Gilchrist seems to have a canny knack for drawing pole position and has done so in four out of the last six races that have necessitated such a draw.

With the two form men on the front row the question was could Livingston stop Gilchrist. The HRP Pace Car brought the cars round to the start line as the crowd anticipated the green flag and it was Livingston who made the best start as the first few cars were all in close proximity to one another but a red flag for a pile-up on turn one brought the race to a quick halt.

At the second time of asking, Gilchrist made no mistakes as he leapt into an early lead that he was not to relinquish. Behind Gilchrist, Livingston was in a comfortable second until his car had mechanical issues and he pulled off. Gilchrist continued to fly around the tight circuit and crossed the line well ahead of his competitors while Barry Stephen, who had started 16th, sliced his way through the traffic to overtake Chris Miller but Miller fought back past the Elgin pilot to claim a fine second with Stephen rounding out the podium places. Lee Livingston claimed victory in the second race of the day from David Frame as Gilchrist dropped out with a misfire while Frame managed to go one better in the third race with a fine win as Barry Stephen finished second to round out a great day of Superstox action.

The ProStocks were back at the Raceway and special credit must go to Lochgelly’s own Aundre Adams who had returned from competing in the European Championship at Aghadowey, in Northern Ireland, overnight to race at his home circuit. The European title was won by home driver Dean Fleming.

A good field of cars arrived to do battle and with British Champion Tam Melrose in Northern Ireland and the outgoing European Champion, Jazz Moore, still not racing; it was a chance for drivers to make up some ground in the track championship. Richard Cairns took a fine win in the first race in his new Astra while Lochore’s Keith Annandale posted a win in the second heat. The final saw a great battle with Grady Ross coming out on top in his new Escort which he has quickly got right on the pace; Dougie Kidd and Stevie Gold rounded out the podium places in the late afternoon sunshine.

The CC Rods were also on track and it was the first time out for the newly-crowned Scottish Champion, Ian Taylor, since his win. Current points leader Johnny Bell was the victor in heat one as he extended his lead in the track championship with his rival Taylor in second and his main opponent in the track championship, Stewart Aitken, third. Taylor made no mistakes in the second heat as he took the win from Aitken with Bell finishing third. Taylor made it a winning double as he took the feature final with Bell posting a fine second place while Kirkcaldy’s Brandon Gourlay took an excellent third place. The racing has never been more competitive in the formula and it is great to see new drivers joining the budget class every time they take to the track.

The Stock Rods arrived in good numbers as always and this was the last chance for some of the Scottish drivers to fine tune their cars prior to travelling across the water to compete for their European Championship in Northern Ireland this coming weekend. One of those drivers was Kelty’s Darren McAlpine and he took a fine win in the first heat of the day but the rest belonged to Dunblane’s Stevie McIntyre as took a heat and final winning double. Current points leader, Brett Sneddon, posted another good score as he finished inside the top four in all three of his races, as did National Points Champion Chris Lattka. Good luck to all Scottish drivers heading to Northern Ireland.

The final formula on show was the 6-11 year olds in their Ninja Karts and the first order of the day was a lap of honour for HRP’s own Keir Millar who had won the World Cup event at Arena Essex before making the long trip north to race at HRP Lochgelly Raceway on Sunday.

True dedication from Keir and his family and he certainly deserved to show off his new trophy. The Whites and Yellows race got the action underway and it was Kelty’s Mirran Adams who took yet another win in her young career. The higher graded drivers joined the action in heat one and it was that man Millar who took the win from Charlie Henry and Northern Irish visitor, Adam McFall, who dropped in on his way home from Arena Essex. McFall made the trip even more worthwhile as he took home the spoils in heat two but he had to give way to Auchthermuchty’s Charlie Auchterlonie in heat three as the young Fife pilot continues his recent resurgence in form.

All in all, a highly entertaining day of racing in glorious weather at HRP Lochgelly Raceway. Events elsewhere see the circuit close its doors for the next two weeks but the track returns with a bang on Sunday September 21st as the National Saloon Stock Cars return to HRP; the Superstox, 2.0 Hot Rods, ProStocks and Ninja Karts.