February 14th, 2013
SOSCC Triple Whammy !
Twenty four entries braved wintry conditions at Kames Motorsport Complex on Sunday February 10th, for the last round of the Scottish Sporting Car Club and East Ayrshire Car Clubs joint venture, the Winter Autotest Series.
South of Scotland Car Club was represented by Wullie Keaning, Archie Simmonds and Gordon Clendinning and in fact at the end of the seven tests that was the way it finished up with a resounding first, second and third overall. The tests used the top and bottom paddocks and also the sprint track and infield access roads to great effect. There was the odd patch of snow and even a snow drift to contend with until Archie kindly cleared it with his trusty snow shovel.
Hats off to the marshals and time keepers who braved horizontal sleet for most of the day and it was great to see the kitchen in the clubhouse open for hot drinks and bacon rolls. Warren Gillespie travelled up with Wullie and ended up helping to marshal on a couple of tests, well done Warren. Also making the trip up to spectate were Graham and Shirley Currie although the wintry conditions eventually got the better of them.
The tests were a good mixture of open and tighter sections with minimal reversing and each test was approximately 85 to 100 seconds long , so good value for money. As well as the local guys there were entries from Glasgow, Chirnside and even two competitors from the Isle Of Arran! As well as the usual gaggle of Nova’s, Micra’s, 205’s and Corsa’s there was also a BMW Compact and a Beach Buggy, can you think of a more unsuitable car for a snowy day?.
Wullie Keaning was untouchable in his venerable Nova, slowly building a commanding 20 sec lead by the end of the day. Archie Simmonds, has found a new lease of life, having changed the diff ratio since the Darlington autotest at Christmas time and spent all day in a very close tussle with Gordon Clendinning and Grainger Robertson. The Beach Buggy was proving to be a bit of a handful and Gordon admitted to a couple of BIG moments in his pursuit of Wullie and Archie.
With the weather situation not improving, the organisers made the sensible decision to stop the event after seven tests. Everyone crammed into the clubhouse for the results and prizegiving where Wullie made another polished acceptance speech thanking the organisers, competitors and marshals. All in all, a good event, good tests and a good venue.
RESULTS
FTD Wullie Keaning Nova 06.52
2nd Archie Simmonds MG Midget 07.12
3rd Gordon Clendinning Beach Buggy 07.14
4th Grainger Robertson Nissan Sunny 07.25
5th Andy Nisbet Corsa 07.38 6th Ricky Wheeler Corsa 07.46