DRIVERS, teams and fans got together under gathering clouds at HRP Lochgelly Raceway as intermittent drizzle and a cold breeze confirmed the arrival of autumn this past Friday night as Hardie Race Promotions hosted their final Friday night stock car event of the year, writes Les Waller.

The 1300 Stock Cars headlined the event as they competed for the Mr Gunn Trophy while the 2.0 Hot Rods, CC Rods and Ministox provided the support in an action-packed twelve race programme.

The CC Rods were first on track and around a dozen cars arrived to do battle with Lanarkshire’s Ian Donaldson and Lochgelly’s own Johnny Bell continue their battle at the top of the track championship in the continued absence of two-time Scottish Champion Ian Taylor.

Paul Muir brought his stunning Ford Puma car as he chose to race that rather than his more regularly used Fiesta.

The first heat of the evening saw Methil’s Ian Walle maintain his excellent late-season form as he took yet another win ahead of Donaldson in second and Bell in third. Bell claimed the win in heat two ahead of arch-nemesis Donaldson with Kirkcaldy’s Craig Watson bringing his Fiesta home in third place.

The feature final was punctuated by an unnecessary incident involving Watson and Bonnyrigg’s Jamie Bell who got involved with one another but that did not deter Johnny Bell as he went on to claim his second win of the night to narrow the gap on Donaldson at the top of the track championship as the Lanarkshire man came home in fifth place – Ian Walle and Larbert’s Chris Hutchison claimed the minor podium places.

The CC Rods have one meeting left this season on Saturday November 7th where Bell and Donaldson will conclude their battle.

The 2.0 Hot Rods were back on track for the final time at HRP Lochgelly Raceway in 2015 and with European Champion Kenny Purdie a late cancellation; it was Falkirk’s Robbie Burgoyne who claimed the 2015 HRP Lochgelly Raceway Track Championship before even turning a wheel in anger- which would be even more significant later in the evening.

It was also great to see Ryan Mackie back on track after numerous issues have hindered the Falkirk man’s appearances this year as well as Scottish and National Points Champion Kerr Paterson.

Heat One saw Alex Wilson take another win as he held off Jock Campbell and Burgoyne for the win. Wilson would double-up in heat two as Gill Anderson and the returning Paterson claimed the minor podium places while Burgoyne’s night ended during the race as a snapped throttle cable meant an early bath as no replacement could be found.

The feature final was run in damp conditions and it was Kerr Paterson who underlined his class as he claimed the feature win ahead of Kelty’s Kenzie Law, who has shown great pace in his extensively refurbished Saxo, and West Lothian’s Harry Denholm in what may well be Harry’s last meeting before he retires to allow his son to take the wheel in 2016 – thanks for the memories Harry!

The Ministox were at HRP Lochgelly Raceway this past Friday night and arrived in good numbers including long-distance visitor Tom Gresinger from the Midlands as well as Jack McCallum, Mika Millar and Taylor Borthwick who have been rare visitors this year as well as hat-trick hero from last time out Sean Naismith.

The first race of the night saw Scotland’s top two drivers, Euan Millar and Steven Burgoyne, continue their season-long battle with Millar claiming the win ahead of Burgoyne and Charlie Folan.

Heat Two was soured when Folan and Burgoyne had an incident which was an unnecessary black mark on an otherwise great evening for the youngsters – this didn’t deter Millar who took his second win of the night ahead of Naismith and Cardenden’s Danny Whyte.

The feature final was a fast-paced race which saw some the lower graded drivers such as previous final winner Naismith and an on-form Taylor Borthwick make excellent getaways.

Former Ninja Kart Scottish Champion Taylor Borthwick managed to keep her nose ahead of the pack as she claimed a fantastic final win ahead of Euan Millar and Sean Naismith to round off a great night for the 11-16 year old class.

The 1300 Stock Cars were the fourth formula on show and it was great to see the current European and British Champion Adam O’Dell making the long trip north from Bedford to be at HRP Lochgelly Raceway this past Friday.

The meeting would see the second running of the Mr Gunn Trophy – the Gunn family are synonymous with Scottish Stock Car racing and the family were treated to another great night of action as Scotland’s top stock car formula did not disappoint.

Heat One saw Glenrothes driver Kev Baird take another win in what has been a great season for the Fife man which has been sadly curtailed due to other commitments as he beat Kirkcaldy’s Dean McGill and O’Dell to the line. The second heat saw a very fast Fraser Clark take the win ahead of Anstruther’s Paul Beaton and David Bowman who was in the borrowed Dale Robertson car.

The feature final carried extra-importance as it was for the Mr Gunn Trophy – the grades were closed up providing a cracking sight around the track and the action got underway immediately on the drop of the green flag with cars flying everywhere as the bumpers were used to full effect – O’Dell and Craig Haxton were spun out early on which put paid to their hopes in the big money race.

The race was brought to a halt for Lochgelly’s Billy Wilson who was stranded on the exit of turn two and, if the race was chaotic before the stoppage, it was manic afterwards as the drivers went on a mission with several falling by the wayside but it was Paul Beaton from Anstruther who claimed the Mr Gunn Trophy and the big cash prize ahead of Coaltown of Wemyss’ Callum Barclay and Kev Baird to round off a great night of action once again from Scotland’s top stock car formula.

Twelve races were completed in just under three hours as the fans headed home happy after a great night of entertainment.

The season is well and truly heading towards its climax as just two meetings remain at HRP Lochgelly Raceway next Saturday October 31which will also see a fancy dress competition for the under 12s while the season will conclude the following Saturday on November 7 with Under 3L Bangers and a huge fireworks display – two great events at Scotland’s most-modern and friendliest short oval motorsports facility, HRP Lochgelly raceway.

Next week’s action features the Superstox, Stock Rods, Ninja Karts and the ProStocks who will be contesting the Christopher Burke Memorial Trophy. The action gets underway at 5:30pm at HRP Lochgelly Raceway.