WHAT can only be described as a 'dreich' day greeted drivers, teams and fans as they gathered at HRP Lochgelly Raceway this past Sunday for the first stock car meeting of the 2017 season, writes our Raceway reporter Les Waller.

Over fifty cars had practised at the track in moderate conditions the day before but the large crowd and racing teams were met with chilly winds and persistent rain as HRP Lochgelly Raceway hosted the Joan Purdie Memorial Meeting which raised funds for St Andrews Hospice where Joan spent much of her final few months in her hard-fought battle against cancer which she sadly lost last spring.

Thoughts were also fresh in the mind of many at HRP Lochgelly Raceway for former ProStocks and Banger star Scott Ramsay who is currently battling cancer himself and was in attendance this past weekend which was great to see.

Going back to the Saturday practice briefly, another huge turnout of over fifty cars arrived, including the stunning Superstox of Scottish Champion Bryan Forrest and the equally gorgeous car of Ally Noble plus Alex Hamilton who is joining the formula in 2017 and Chris Buthbert. Cameron Willacy made it for the second week in succession in his Junior Production as did Amber Tyrell as they prepare for the formula’s debut this Saturday.

Paul Ford brought his BriSCA F1 Stock Car for a shakedown prior to racing at Wimbledon this Sunday and also intimated his intention to do a handful of Superstox meetings in the upcoming season.

Gary Dean didn’t have his troubles to seek on the way to the track as his bonnet came off on the way to practice but, after that mishap, his stunning Corsa C went very well (dented bonnet and all).

The National Hot Rods of Steven Armit and Ian Donaldson looked absolutely stunning and it will be interesting to see how they fare this Saturday against World Champion Adam Maxwell, former World and National Champion Glenn Bell, National and British Champion Adam Hylands and David Kernohan in a strong showing from Northern Ireland for this Saturday’s Season Opener at HRP Lochgelly Raceway.

This past Sunday was a “fun” event (no points etc) to help raise funds for the aforementioned St Andrews Hospice and Scott Ramsay and four formulas were on show in the terrible conditions, but all managed to put on a good show.

Fifty Micro Bangers arrived to do battle including two raffle winners with the funds going towards Scott Ramsay and family, plus the likes of BriSCA F2 European and British Champion Chris Burgoyne, Saloon stars Graeme and Stuart Shevill plus several English visitors including former Lightning Rod racer Ben Newman as well as Team Buckle from Northern Ireland.

Racing under father Ernie’s number, Burgoyne took the win in the first race which started with forty-nine cars and finished with just seven cars still running after a highly entertaining and bruising race! Newman made the trip north worthwhile as he claimed victory in heat two in a race with only five finishers as the hard-hitting racing took its toll on some of the little cars.

The Final Dash saw local man Darren Rae take the win ahead of Marc Dalgarno before the Demolition Derby saw a protracted battle won by Dylan Ward to round off a great outing for the little bangers!

The Ministox were the formula of the year last year in Scotland and another decent number arrived to do battle including debutant Jamie Stewart.

The weather was certainly not conducive to great racing but the youngsters belied their tender years as they drove with skill and talent that impressed many on the terraces.

The first heat was won by local racer Danny Whyte who claimed victory ahead of Kelty’s Ciaran Adams and William Wallace.

Whyte repeated his exploits, showing his liking for the wet conditions, in heat two while Adams posted another excellent second place in his new for 2017 car with Terri Linden coming home in third. The feature final saw Whyte take a dominant hat-trick as he powered to victory ahead of Bryan Lindsay and Mitchell Gold.

The 1300 Stock Cars have a busy start to the season with away meetings beginning at Kings Lynn next week so it was not too surprising to see a moderate number for this non-points event.

Ryan McGill, one of the stars of 2016, posted the first win of 2017 as he sped to victory ahead of Zak Gilmour and Craig Haxton – expect to see these three featuring prominently throughout the season. Gilmour claimed the win in heat two ahead of Jordan Cassie and McGill while Haxton took the feature final in fine style ahead of Cassie and McGill.

An extra race was held for the formula where guest drivers including Graeme and Stuart Shevill, Chris Burgoyne, Brett Sneddon and Robert McDonald saw a highly entertaining race with McDonald claiming the win!

McDonald also had his National Hot Rod with him as the 2.0 Hot Rods, Classic and National Hot Rods took to the track together for only the second time in history.

With the Scottish Series for the Classics debuting in 2017; it was great to see Brett Sneddon and Trev Forrester on track while Kenny Purdie’s recently-finished car was in the hands of the legendary racer Kenny Ireland. Ireland proved that 30 plus years out of the seat had not diminished his skills as he posted an excellent second to McDonald in heat one with William Hardie bringing his 2.0 car home in third. McDonald has won his fair share of races at HRP Lochgelly Raceway and went on to take the second heat and the final with Gordon Alexander and Hardie claiming the podium places in both races in their 2.0 cars.

A great effort from all drivers, teams and HRP staff to put on an entertaining meeting despite the weather which the fans deserve credit for braving to show their support to the Purdie family, St Andrews Hospice and Scott Ramsay – well done to all.

This Saturday March 4 sees the season get underway officially with the season opener at HRP Lochgelly Raceway at 5:45pm. A huge number of visiting Northern Irish drivers will be in attendance with interest in all five classes racing.

World Champion Adam Maxwell, British and National Champion Adam Hylands plus Glenn Bell and David Kernohan headline the travelling contingent in the National Hot Rods while Northern Ireland will also be represented in the Superstox, 2.0 Hot Rods, ProStocks and the debut of the new for 2017 Junior Productions! It promises to be a great night at HRP Lochgelly Raceway this Saturday March 4th from 5:45pm.