“JIM my coffee’s finished!” Yes I got up and made Race Manager Keith Ramsay another cup just in case he decided that he wasn’t going to talk anymore!, writes our Cowdenbeath Racewall reporter Jim Turner.

Tell me about the second half of the season I asked. “The first week we are back, Keith told me, “It’s the end of July, we have the Saloon Scottish Championship and hopefully it will be a repeat of last season.

"What a spectacular finish it was to that race with four cars in with a chance of winning and it all came together on the pit bend. All of a sudden there were cars everywhere with Ian McLaughlin limping home to win. On the downside we lost Ian for the remainder of the season through injury.

“The Saloon World Final takes place on Saturday August 17 and as it is the show piece in the Saloon calendar we need to make it special. We are looking at afternoon entertainment and we have quite a few things buzzing about as to what we can do. It is going to be an electric atmosphere especially when the drivers get the command to start their engines.

"We get many comments that the Racewall is the place for the World Final so we need to make sure that it is! Hopefully the title will return to Scotland. Whilst we will get drivers from England and Northern Ireland we hope that some of the Dutch drivers come across to race. On the Sunday the saloon drivers have the Raymond Gunn Tribute race. Over that weekend the Formula II drivers have their Geo Mac 100 trophy and the Chapman Trophy up for grabs The 1300 Saloons will be racing on Sunday afternoon whilst there will be the Mascars race over the weekend. Gonna be busy!”

Keith added: “The following Saturday the Heritage Formula II drivers have their British Championship and to bring August to a close the final of the 1300 Gold roof series is run. It was exciting last season and I think it will be every bit as exciting this year.

“September has only three meetings with the 7th scheduled for the Formula II World Final at Buxton. The fortnight thereafter Prostock Basics drivers have their Scottish Championship and this formula has grown steadily over the years enticing a lot of new faces into the sport. September ends with the running of the white/yellow challenge final for the Saloons."

“Keith it looks as if the next five weeks of the season is going to keep you busy.” His eyebrows raised, he looked at his empty mug but I somehow managed to ignore him.

“Yes it looks that way although the first meeting is just a “normal” one if there is such a thing. The following week we have the ORCi Scottish Championship and the final of the Formula II White/yellow challenge series. Then it’s the 2 litre Banger Scottish Championship. That is usually quite a meeting.

"Then we head to the last weekend when we have the Saloon Superbowl and the 1300 Saloon Superbowl and coupled to that the Formula IIs have their James Clarke Memorial Trophy. On Sunday it is one of the Saloon National Series rounds plus the Gordon Barclay Memorial Trophy. The formula IIs have their Champion of Champions race, the ORCi Stock Rods their Si Laing Memorial Trophy whilst the 1300 Saloons and the Classic Hot Rods race for their Cock of the North Trophy.”

Asked about the meeting in November Keith told me: “We have our National Series round for the Formula IIs where Gordon Moodie will be looking to make it three in a row. Backing them are the Prostock Basics, the Minis and Micro F2s and hopefully this year we will be able to end with the firework display. It had to be cancelled last year due to the bad weather conditions but hopefully we will be alright this year.”

When I asked him about season 2020 he just scowled at me so I left!

There was another good turnout of drivers to the third practice session at the Racewall on Sunday although not everything went to plan! Isla Chisholm managed to roll her Micro F2 on the main straight but undaunted she was soon back in action.

There were plenty of cars down from the north of Scotland in the Saloons and the Micro F2 whilst there were three of the McGill drivers on track in the ORCi Stock Rods.

In the Formula IIs Ryan Walker was having a trouble-free run in the Gregor Turner car whilst Garry Sime was giving his car its first airing of the year. Chris Burgoyne was out with his shale car whilst Pete Davidson was back with another engine under the bonnet. Newcomer Jamie Reid encountered problems but was soon back in action.

The Saloons saw Tam Rutherford Jnr the quickest but Holly Glen wasn’t that far adrift. Ross Graham, Chris Carey, Brian Hogg and Jordan Cassie had good runs. The trio from the north of Scotland, Ally Strachan, Shane Kennedy and Mark Mathers had reasonably trouble-free runs but Johnny Wood ran into problems with his car.

There were plenty of ORCi Stock Rods out practicing with the McGill trio quick but so too were James Gray and Cameron Doak. It bodes well for this formula with there not too much to choose between the cars and with the European Championship being held at the Racewall things look good.

Minis saw Ethan Doull and Jodi Arthur have their first outings whilst Charlie Faichney was back out.

Billie Dawson showed up well whilst Declan Honeyman, Lewis Clark Burgoyne and Logan Bruce were probably the quickest. Jay Paterson had a good run and so did Ciaran Adams and the way that things are shaping up it is going to be another good season for the minis.

In the 1300 Saloons Scott Lindsell had his car all sign written and not only did it look good but it was fast. Gary Paterson and Callum Sturrock had good runs although the latter encountered a mechanical problem but was soon back in action.

James Mooney had a decent run in his National Hot Rod which made up for the problems he encountered at the last practice meeting.

There was a big turnout of the Micro F2 drivers and there was plenty of close fats racing. Connor St Aubyn and Lennon Cuthill had good runs but then so did Kyle Rogerson, Kara Russell and David Philp Jnr. The Micro F2s look to be in for an exciting season – there will be plenty of cars and no shortage of action.

This Saturday the stock car season roars back into life with the Micro F2 drivers taking to the track at around 5.30pm. Starting what is going to be a fantastic season are the BriSCA Formula IIs, Saloons, Ministox, Prostocks and Micro F2. It is an important year for the Saloon drivers who have their World Final in August and the drivers will be keen to get their cars sorted out early on.

The World and National Series Champion Gordon Moodie (Windygates) is scheduled to appear at the Racewall on Saturday night with his new Zetec powered Formula II but he is going to have to be at his best if he is going to make it a winning appearance.

At the practice session last Sunday there was a big turn out of cars with the McGills dominating the ORCi Stock rods. World Champion Lee (Kirkcaldy) posted the fastest time but James Gray was only marginally slower. Dean (East Wemyss) and Liam (Dysart) had good runs and will be more than pleased with their sessions.

Ross Watters (Leven) and Euan Mathieson (Lochgelly) will be looking to get some good results under their belts when the season starts

* Gordon Moodie (Windygates) was racing his Formula II at Birmingham on Saturday night where he took his new Zetec powered car to ninth place in heat one and then a fourth place in the final. In the Grand National finished in eighth place from a lap handicap.

On Sunday Moodie travelled over to Skegness where he won the opening heat and then finished in second place in heat two. Moodie then went on to win the final and then picked up a seventh in the Grand National.

Euan Mathieson (Lochgelly) was in good form in his Saloon at Skegness where he picked up a fourth place in heat one, a third in heat two but wasn’t classified in the final.