Madman Writes - 30th October 2010
It seems hard to believe that we are at the end of another season already. It hardly seems like 35 GMP meetings ago I was looking forward to the start of the season and we are with, after this weekend, only the prospect of Strictly Come Dancing and X Factor to look forward to on a Saturday night, unless you are going to the GMP dance next week that is. What a great couple of meetings we have to finish with. Loads of Silverware for all of the formulas to race for over the weekend. Pride of place will be the Saloons race on the Saturday for Superbowl XXII. It makes me feel old when I can remember witnessing the first one back in 1989 won by Conrad Self. There have been many of the top names in sport on the trophy down the years with Harry and Ernie Burgoyne making the trophy virtually their own in the 90’s. The current hold is the nephew of those drivers, young Robbie, who not only tries to defend this title but also the Gordon Barclay Memorial on Sunday afternoon. World and European title holder, David Aldous, himself a three time winner of the Superbowl will be amongst a whole host of drivers from all over the UK trying to stop him. As far as the home team are concerned then there would be no more deserving winner than Stuart Shevill who has travelled tirelessly during the year so he can paint his roof silver in 2011. He won the final here last week to end the run of Glen Heeps and must be a due another big title this season to supplement his win at the UK during the summer at Skegness. The Charlene Kingston Memorial last year threw up a surprise with David Hughes running away from a star studded field to take the victory. A big thank you to the Barclay and Kingston families for their continued sponsorship of these events.
It is not just all about the saloons though. The F2 have a couple of trophies to race for with the Champion of Champions always a closely contested affair as it is only open to drivers who have won a race at a GMP meeting this year. The meeting final will be just as important as the James Clarke Cochrane Memorial trophy is raced for with Chris Burgoyne trying to make it at hat-trick of wins in the race. Gordon Moodie, although missing out in most of the big ones down south in 2010 will have the satisfaction of having the silver roof back on the car at the end of the year. It was good to see Rob Speak back in good form last week when he led the field a merry dance in the final to pick up a lot of points in the Brisca 50 series. He kept his run going with a couple of heat wins down at Barford last Sunday afternoon.
The Ministox have the final of their Disco series this weekend with the chance to say goodbye to some of the drivers in the formula who will be retiring before the 2011 season gets underway. Marc Fortune is going to take to the wheel of a Brisca F2 under the watchful eye of his World champion dad, John. It is also the last time we will see Ross Watters in a Ministock at the Racewall. He will be a winner in whatever formula he moves on to as he is one of the best drivers I have witnessed in the class since it started in Scotland back in the 80’s. That’s the commentators curse put on him for winning any more races here then!!
The Prostox have their finale of the season on Sunday with the track championship still up for grabs. The formula has been excellent during 2010 with some of the best action of the season. It looks like a three-way fight between Ally McDonald, Tam Melrose, and John Mason. Ian Donaldson assured himself of the Hot Rod version with three wins last Saturday.
When the last wreck is dragged from the track on Sunday, it will be all over for 2010. Start counting the days until 2011.