Conned, scammed and duped, but not angry. Strangely calm given the
unfamiliarity of the situation. As for the location, I was in Craigvinean
Forest north of Perth and so was a certain red and black Mk2 Escort. Why?
Funny how things turn out. The weekend was all about Portugal and Kris Meeke's
extraordinary but richly deserved and measured victory, and today was all about
Craigvinean and McRae.
Some of you may recall the quarterly magazine 'Faster Scotland' that
Josef Stuchlak published and distributed at Scottish motor sports event up
until a year ago when he switched his interest and entrepreneurial flair from
the printed word to the moving image. He's been planning a 'YouTube' magazine
for some time now and it's beginning to take shape. It's all about Scottish
motor sport, on four wheels and two, on the loose and on tarmac. He's already
got most of the material for his first prog but wanted something else, hence
this morning. Craigvinean and a man called McRae.
Somewhere along the line, yours truly got roped in. An extremely
unusual experience, as bashing fingernails with tyre levers is infinitely preferable
to appearing in front of cameras. Apparently Josef's first choice of guest gave
him a body-swerve or had made an acceptable excuse, whereas I was caught
unprepared.
 |
| Jimmy with Josef and Iain |
Jimmy of course is a natural. When you think of the number of microphones
and cameras that have been thrust in his face over 40 years of rallying, it's
second nature. As for yours truly, just make sure the kids are in bed and the
pets are locked up in a different room when you view the first episode. The
biggest surprise was managing to speak without a lump in the throat.
That always happens when I see Colin's Escort. I first photographed the
car for him at his home when he got it finished in May 2007, exactly 9 years
ago this month. The car was special to Colin.
When Josef and Ian Struthers finish the edit, what you'll see and hear was
totally unscripted and unrehearsed, but what should come across is their
enthusiasm for this new video magazine. If that doesn't sell the programme,
nothing will. And given the line-up of volunteer guests in his first prog - things
can only get better.
Cecile B de Mille or Peter Jackson it ain't, but it should be worth a
watch and if you encourage them this could be regular feature of the Scottish
motor sporting video landscape.
When I get the link for the final prog, I'll let you all know.
