Cowdenbeath Racewall: Reece shows tremendous promise

He has shown a rare turn of speed which augers well for the future.

Reece is an apprentice motor mechanic at Jack’s Auto Car Care in Glenrothes, and when the garage closes for business it’s stock car time.

Reece gets help from Alan and Ross Finlay, to keep his car in top condition and as a result Reece, who started as a white grade driver, ended the season as a blue grader.

He told me: “My mum brought me along to the Racewall one Saturday to see the stock cars when I was around seven.

“I loved it, especially the Formula IIs, and from then until I started racing, I was a regular spectator but I wasn’t allowed to get a Ministox when I was old enough, but I have always been interested in motor racing.”

“When I became 21, I decided I was going to race and after scouring the ‘for sale’ notices went out and bought Aaron Vaight’s car, along with a whole multitude of spare parts, then bought a van and a trailer! Aaron’s car was a high-spec one and if it didn’t get results, then was going to be down to me! Initially I had tried to get number 14, but that was taken so I ended up with 514, Chalky White’s number, so that is a lot to live up to!”

Added Reece: “I went to a practice session and whilst the car felt amazing, it was pushing on the corners which was slowing me down. I spoke to Gordon Moodie, who came along and made a few adjustments to the car’s set up. What a difference that made and it certainly wasn’t pushing and the car felt like a rocket ship on the straights!

“My debut meeting was the Scottish Championship, at the Racewall. I thought I may as well start at a big event where there were a lot of cars. I was pleased with how my car ran and although I didn’t get the results I had hoped for, I did qualify for the ‘Scottish’ when I came in tenth in the consolation, but unfortunately, I was an early casualty when the Final started and that was my race over.

“I headed up to Crimond after that and found it much different to the Racewall. I got damage in the opening heat but picked up a fourth in the second heat and was then the runner-up in both the Final as well as the Grand National.

“My second outing at the Racewall was a good one. My car ran well and it took the red grade drivers a long time to catch me. I was eighth in my first race, sixth in the second, but nudged going into the pit bend, kissed the wall and had to retire at the start to the Final. I repaired the car, and was back out for the Grand National where I finished in tenth.

“I was really pleased with my outing – my lap times were quicker so felt I was on the right lines. It proved to me that it was the right car and now it was up to me to drive it!”

Reece started a run of events: “I decided to go to Skegness for the UK Championship, but only booked for the Thursday meeting, only I was later offered a booking for the weekend. 

“It was the first time I had raced in fields that big and the track is amazing. So different from the Racewall, wide bends but with the number of cars on track there can be a lot of carnage. I think I had damage in all of my races over the weekend. Never got a point but enjoyed the experience!

“Back at the Racewall and Crimond, I continued to get results but at one of the meetings my diff blew and I spun out of the race. However, I did have a good meeting on August 19, when I not only picked up my first heat win, but a final win as well.

Reece McIntosh racing at the Cowdenbeath Racewall. (Image: Contributed)

“I started off with a third place in my opening heat, but then went on to record my first ever win when I won the second heat. It felt really good. I then had a really good race, during the final and won that as well. Two wins at one meeting was a real plus.

“October and November turned out to be a good time for me! I had dropped from the blue grade to yellow and I really made the most of it! On the debit side I ended up as blue grade driver.

“My first taste of success came at Crimond, at the beginning of October when I headed there for the final of their white/yellow series. I didn’t get into the lead until around lap four, but once I did, I pulled away to win by a considerable margin. After that there were rain showers and I had to keep changing the set up. I picked up a good handful of points but couldn’t compete with Robbie Dawson.

“At the end of the month we had the Champion of Champions meeting, which is open to winners only at the Racewall. The opening lap was tricky, due to a lot of water on the turnstile bend. I managed to get around it but there was a shunt on the pit bend, then on the turnstile bend the cars behind me got caught out on the water, and slid into the wall suspending the race. Once the track was cleared, I was the lead car, but had Paul Reid behind. I managed to stay ahead of him before going on to win. The rest of the meeting was mixed but still picked up a good few points!”

Concluded Reece: “Normally that is our last meeting of the season but the final of our white/yellow series had been cancelled due to the storm in late October, and was rescheduled to the first weekend in November.

“What a meeting that turned out to be for me. I was soon leading, but there was a race suspension after a shunt. On the restart Craig Reid forced his way ahead of me and it took me a few laps to get my rhythm back, Once I did, I closed the gap, dived inside and once ahead I eased away to win.

“That was both the Scottish white/yellow series finals under my belt. What happened next though was even better – I then won both of the heats as well as the final to make it four wins on the trot. Couldn’t believe it.

“The car was on rails and ran without a hitch. However, it started to rain before the Grand National started, my set up wasn’t right so I pulled out.

“I have already started work on getting my cars ready for the start to the 2024 season. My engine is going back to Redline for a refurb and we have stripped the car.

“There is wee bend in the car so it is going to Scotty Devine to get straightened. We intend to have the ready before the start to the season. I intend to travel a bit and take in as many of the ‘big’ races and World Championship qualifying rounds as I can. The World Final is at Taunton, so will have an outing there sometime. I might even try a couple of shale meetings but I don’t have shale car at present.

“I am indebted to Alan and Ross for all the help they give me, and to my sponsors for their help! It is the usual story that without their help I wouldn’t have such an exciting opening season as I have had.”