Down to the Wire

The “Final Fling” meeting of 18 October reflected close racing throughout the season with George Leitch’s 1293cc Mini Ogle and Colin Beveridge’s 1490 cc Alfa Sud both in Class B pitted for outright Championship honours against Russell Paterson’s Class D 3.9 litre Morgan.

Going into the final rounds, two of the class battles were even closer with only 6 points separating Olly Ross’s Europa and Jimmy Crowe’s Escort in C and 8 points between the Mini Ogle and Alfa Sud in B.

Race 1 was graced by cold dry conditions with the Morgan duo of Paterson and Smith taking an early lead followed by Stan Bernard’s 911 who was challenged all the way to the flag by Gordon Naismith’s 3.9 litre TR8 followed in 5th by Adam Bernard’s 911 and 6th Olly Ross. Andy Walker secured a fine Class B pole, however over the line it was George Leitch’s Mini
Ogle with Nic Boyes Cooper “S” 1 second behind and Colin’s Sud in 3rd. Olly Ross took a
clear Class C win from Donald Laird’s Elan with Ian Longford’s 2 litre Escort 3rd.

Scottish Classic Sports and Saloons The reverse grid Race 2 and final one of the season saw Stan Bernard leap frogging 3 cars to take the lead before Duffus which he held until lap 2 when he was overhauled by both Morgans with the first 6 cars finishing in the same order as race 1. It was Nic Boyes’s turn this time to take the Class B win from George with Colin Beveridge 3rd. Class C again saw Olly Ross 1st with Ian Longford 2nd and Richard Merrel in the Alfa a well deserved 3rd. Driver of the day was awarded to Adam Bernard in the 2.7 litre 911 who overcoming gearbox problems managed to secure 5th overall in both races with Mr Naismith also being a close contender but for a “wee flag issue” and Mike Connon’s Sunbeam Lotus starting on the back of the grid and fighting his way through to finish 8th.

Outright 1st in the Championship goes to Russell Patterson in the Morgan +8 who will receive the prestigious Doune Trophy which has an SMRC history dating back to 70’s and 80’s at Ingliston. A well deserved 2nd and 3rd going to the Class B cars of George Leitch in the Mini Ogle and Colin Beveridge in the Alfa Sud, Scottish Classic Sports and Saloons demonstrating that the Scottish Classic Sports & Saloons can potentially be won by cars competing in any of the classes. Final Class positions being Class B 1st G Leitch, 2nd C Beveridge and 3rd N Boyes, Class C 1st O Ross, 2nd J Crow and 3rd R Merrell and Class D 1st R Patterson 2nd A Smith and 3rd S Bernard.

Whilst the 2009 season has been by far the most successful for the Scottish Classics to date, 2010 is already looking to be another cracker with new entrants and cars likely to include a 5 litre Piranha Capri, Porsche 928, Jaguar XJS and 2 Door Coupe, TVR 5000M and Mk2 BDG Escort.

2009 Classics Picture Gallery

The following galleries show pictures of the Scottish Classic Sports & Saloons in action during the 2009 season:

2009 Race Reports

Race reports throughout 2009 courtesy of the thegrid.co.uk are available to view below:

2009 Classics Results & Points Standings

All race results and lap times for the Championship will be available to download from SMART timing, MyLaps.com and Boness Results. Click here for the latest Classics Championship Points.

Cars and Drivers

A list of 2009 Championship Contenders is available here.