That is the 1990s Scottish Rally Championship book signed-off and now in the hands of the printers. Both the pleasant and painful bits of the process were completed this morning. The pleasant bit was seeing the 270 page printer’s proof in all its pre-publishing glory and formally signing it over to the printer. The painful bit was then a sit down chat with the boss to discuss the final price. The chat started with the almost customary preamble these days – regardless of any commercial undertaking – with the warning that the original estimate had increased. Apparently the price of paper has gone up – again.
I could have opted for a cheaper grade of paper and different cover but that’s not what this book is about. It’s about creating a permanent and worthy record of an important part of Scottish motor sport, in this case rallying.
With that in mind it looks and feels very similar to the previous book. The initial text section features over 80 detailed rally reports while the photographic section features over 400 photographs, most of them in colour. In other words it will spark even more memories than the previous book. Even so, some photos had to be left out as you’ll see from the pics of these ‘weans’ and cars below – but there’s plenty more in the book.
Some folk have wondered why it takes so long to produce a book. Surely it’s just a matter of writing some text selecting a few photos and sending them off to a certain world-wide on-line marketplace. And yes I did look at those options to begin with, but quickly dismissed them. These third parties assume they are taking the major financial risk so they will dictate (and I mean ‘dictate’, there’s no discussion) terms. Take it or leave it. I left it.
But thanks to the book sponsor and advertisers the personal financial risk is reduced whilst the end product and its design, despatch and delivery remain in my control.
That also meant there was no artificial intelligence’ involved in the book’s production, it was all down to humans and my grateful thanks are due to the additional photographers and proof-readers who are also human – mostly!
It is planned that the book will be ready for early November and some discussions about a possible ‘book launch’ have already taken place. Last year’s low key gathering at a Coltness Car Club night was never intended to be a formal book launch but what a night it turned out to be. There were rallying celebrities and royalty galore having travelled from afar and the Dalserf Bowling Club premises in the usually quiet village of Ashgill were bursting at the seams. What a night.
I did contact the SECC in Glasgow as an alternative venue but once they heard ‘the Bears’ were involved last time, they quickly and firmly declined my request in case they turned up again this time.
In celebration of this morning’s sign-off I shall raise a glass of a rather special sherry casked 12 year old malt this evening. Special, because it was most thoughtfully donated in support of my endeavours by a rather generous and kindly gentleman who ‘does a bit of rallying’. I say ‘celebration’, the feeling is more akin to one of ‘relief’!
In other words: “Deagh shlàinte aon agus a h-uile duine.”
I’m not taking orders yet for the ‘Scottish Rally
Championship 1990-1999’ book, but there are still some 1980s books left on:
https://fife-motor-sports-agency.square.site/
