Show - Festival of Historic Trasnport

This weekend the rally-book ‘booktique’ is headed east to the Scottish Vintage Bus Museum at Lathalmond in Fife for the 2025 Festival of Historic Transport for the first time.

Organised by the Fife Historic Vehicle Club this annual classic, veteran and vintage vehicle show features everything on two, three, four and more wheels and attracts enthusiasts from all over the place. It’s only a stone’s throw (well maybe a catapult would really be needed!) from Knockhill Racing Circuit so it will be easily found if you fancy a day out this Sunday 15th June. The 49 acre site is on the M90 Commerce Park just off the A823, 2.5 miles north of Dunfermline on the B915 (KY12 0SJ).

The Bus Museum itself is well worth a visit but it’s only open to the public on Sundays during the Summer season so hopefully it will be open this Sunday when the classic show is set up on the grounds around the huge hangar building. If you think restoring a classic car is complicated and time consuming then spare a thought for the bus enthusiasts restoring a 14 tonne, 30 foot long doubledecker bus.

The last time I visited was in 2019 when I was appraising a Mitsubishi pickup for the magazine and the boys wondered what I was up to. So I asked them what they were up to and they wheeled out their latest completed project, a 1978 Daimler/Leyland Fleetline bus for the photographs. Powered by a choice of six cylinder Gardner, Leyland or Cummins engines these buses were the mainstay of many British (and foreign) fleets back in the day. I also got a wee peek inside the hangar where many other restorations were well under way. Fascinating, absolutely fascinating, and well worth a visit, even if you’re not a bus fan.

I have no idea how books on Scottish rallying will go down at this show but there’s only one way to find out. Looking forward to it already.

https://fife-motor-sports-agency.square.site/

 

Rally - Extreme H

Do you remember the Extreme E racing car series which visited Glenmuckloch in Galloway a couple of times in 2023 and 2024? Well it’s coming back, only this time as Extreme H, but perhaps not to Scotland, although individual event location details will be announced shortly.

The previous Extreme E off-road racing series comprised eight teams, each with one male and one female driver, driving electrically powered, custom built 4WD cars. This round the world competition series was designed to highlight a number of important global issues and not just the advances being made by electric cars. Event venues were chosen in specific countries to highlight particular local environmental concerns with regard to that magic word ‘sustainability’ which seems to cover a multitude of topics and headlines these days.

Perhaps of more specific interest to motor sports enthusiasts was the technological and engineering expertise behind this which made it all possible. Of course the organisers and ‘big-tech’ sponsors behind it were also keen to promote the engineering innovations and hopefully inspire a new generation who might be fearful of what alternatively powered motor sport had for their future. 

Anyway, the aim was always geared towards the production of their own hydrogen powered cars as previously the organisers generated their own electricity supply and recharging infrastructure through their own on-site, self contained, transportable hydrogen powered electricity generators. As for the production of hydrogen fuel, well that’s another problem, but apparently it is preferable to drilling holes in the seabed or digging dirty great holes in the ground searching for rare minerals.

Anyway that’s for others more qualified to sort out, rather than us mere politician tax-fodder generators. What’s of real interest is the outcome and this latest breed of hydrogen powered competition car produces some 550 bhp and has a top speed of around 120 mph with a nought to 60 acceleration time of 4.5 seconds.

Extreme H’s technical director also explained that each car is comprised of a common package of standardised parts, while the individual teams have some latitude with utilising the hydrogen fuel cell plus the ability to style bodywork elements – which could be made to replicate the look of everyday car models. That last part is important to everyday motorists and other competition users as the ‘testbed’ cars which the Extreme E and H series use look like the progeny of a successful mating between beach buggies and ‘Dakar’ monsters. In other words, there is every possibility that you could fit the drivetrain into a Mk2 Escort !!

Elsewhere in the world work continues apace on the development of alternative fuels for internal combustion engines, including hydrogen, so the ICE ain’t quite dead yet.

Classic cars at Thirlestane

Sun is shining at Thirlestane Castle for the BVAC Classic - but the wellies are in the van! Cars and exhibits arriving in a steady stream but the 'booktique' is open for business and blether.

Thirlestane on Sunday

I’ve now got my Pass and ticket for the BVAC Classic at Thirlestane this Sunday the 8th of June and it looks as though I will have the same pitch as last year, right beside the pedestrian entrance gate from Lauder and opposite the Border Reivers stand so there might be some weel kent faces within a bunfight flinging match from my own pitch!

Last time I had two books for sale, this time I’ll have four – three of mine plus Eric Dymock’s authoritative (and accurate) biography of Jim Clark.

Joining last year’s launch book on the Scottish Rally Championship covering the decade 1980-1989 will be this year’s tome covering the 1990-1999 decade. This latest book follows a similar format to the last but with more pages and more foties – by public demand!

The first half of each book features reports from all constituent rounds of the Scottish Rally Championship during those ten year periods and lists the top ten results and class winners from each individual rally, both drivers and co-drivers. The second half is devoted to photographs and there is a separate section on the first family of Scottish rallying ‘The McRaes’ plus a few personality profiles. It’s also worth noting the vast majority of the 400 or so photographs have never before been published and the majority of them come from my own collection.

I’ll also have copies of the ‘Murmurs on Mull’ book – the only publication (in the world!) which features every single ‘MullMurmurs’ bulletin as they were published during the rally in the years 1993-2010. I thought it would appeal only to Mull Rally addicts but I even sold some at Knockhill’s 50th motor racing celebrations the other week including to one young lady who walked past the ‘booktique’ three times before stopping and buying one. Apparently her Dad lives in Oban and is a Mull Rally fan so guess what he’s getting for Father’s Day!! Mind you she had a good look through the book (and a wee chuckle or two!) before making this momentous financial commitment.

Anyway, if I don’t have the same pitch as last year (arrowed in the photo) just look for the red Transit and the wee blue topped marquee.

https://bvac.org.uk/bvac-classic/tickets/ 

 

 

 

Thirlestane Classic Car Show

Depending on who you talk to, the BVAC Classic at Thirlestane next Sunday the 8th of June is the biggest classic car show in the country, or it could be the two day Scottish Transport Extravaganza at Glamis Castle on 12th & 13th July. I’m not sticking my neck out either way, but safe to say they are the biggest such shows in Scotland and certainly in the top ten of such UK shows.

Both will have around 1,000 classic, veteran and vintage cars gathered in one place plus marque and club stands along with other shows and exhibits to appeal to the family and whilst Glamis is a two day show, Thirlestane has the added attraction of the Tunnock’s Scottish Summer Hill Rally which is based right beside the showfield on the weekend of the 7th & 8th June.

Apart from the cars and displays both shows have other added attractions and whilst partners and weans will be happy eating burgers and ice cream and watching the show ring attractions and entertainments ‘certain other members’ of such family groups will be attracted to browse the trade stands and auto jumble offerings around the periphery of the show – amongst which will be a certain ‘booktique’ selling books on Scottish rallying!! I have booked a stand at both shows this year although the two day Glamis will be a first.

I’ll have copies of both Scottish Rally Championship books (the 1980s and 1990s) plus the Mull book and also copies of Eric Dymock’s authoritative biography of Jim Clark.

Work on the third book in the Scottish Rally series (2000-2009) is well under way but if anyone thought writing the third book in such a series would be a dawdle, having already written two, then such thoughts should be junked quicker than a Verstappen tantrum. And it’s all your fault. After the first book folk wanted more words and more pics, so the second book was bigger, and guess what? Folk wanted yet more again with the suggestion being made that more pics could be included at the expense of fewer words. Oh, and could I make the photo captions longer and more informative? Oh, and another thing, more stories too?

Over the past three weeks I have been looking through books of over 4,000 negatives, scanning almost a 1,000, plus thousands more digital images and come up with a ‘short list’ of around 800 photos which will have to be reduced by half. Picking what goes into the book is the easy part, it’s choosing what has to be left out that is the most difficult.

Some folk also wondered if full results lists could be included but that would fill a book on its own. As it stands, each individual rally report names the top ten drivers and co-drivers and the class winning drivers and co-drivers. So if you did finish in the top ten of a championship round or won your class, your name is in the book. I did think about making it the top twenty, but even that would take me over my page limit.

Anyway, the first draft of the text is now with the proof readers so I’ll see what they make of that while getting on with the foties, but in the meantime, if you visit the show at Thirlestane Castle just outside Lauder on the A68 this Sunday, I’ll be there.

https://bvac.org.uk/bvac-classic/tickets/

 

Rally - Upset and angry

There are times when I despair of my former ‘profession’. In the pursuit of readers and advertisers, some journalists are constantly under pressure to come up with stories and news items designed to attract and hopefully increase public interest. Misleading headlines further draw the public in to read their stories and increase the ‘clicks’ on their websites. This often seems to be driven more by the need to generate income than educate and inform. The accountants have taken over from the editors. Greed is the driver not public service. An extreme view perhaps?

Of course not all news outlets are like that but it is the less scrupulous who give the profession a bad name which raises concerns, especially about our national broadcaster, let alone the national news dailies. Yet again they have repeated the disinformation about ‘spectators’ being the victims of the 2014 tragedy. It was pointed out to them at the time that two of the victims had media credentials issued by the sport’s governing body and had been duly ‘signed-on’ as Media at the event. One of whom was actually an ex-rally driver in the 1970s, and former rally sponsor in the 1980s, so should have been only too well aware of the risks. Compounding their misjudgement was the fact they chose to take two guests with them on that fateful day and who were unknown to the rally organisers. Guests who were not professional or amateur media, and who simply shouldn’t have been allowed to place themselves in danger.

Despite bringing this to the BBC’s attention the broadcaster continued to use the term ‘spectators’ and other journalists simply followed suit in a shoddy disregard of the facts. Despite objections and complaints raised at the time the BBC persisted with the use of the term before eventually using the term ‘people’ in later broadcasts rather than using the more factually accurate description.

Off the record I was told that there was some disquiet within the press and media ranks about bringing their profession into disrepute. Whether that was true or not I don’t know, or whether it was just poor journalism, a blatant disregard of the facts or whether it was just sloppy journalistic shorthand. The truth reduced to a very misleading phrase.

A cynic might wonder if this was because it happened in a ‘niche’ sport and no ‘big’ names were involved and standards were allowed to slip, or even more cynically, the story could be made much bigger and attract more attention.

Almost overlooked in all of this was the fact that there was another victim, the young man driving the rally car. He would have to live with the consequences of the crash. Given the circumstances, the dreadful and tragic outcome was not his fault.

Whilst the motor sports media were mostly respectful following the recent tragedy on last weekend’s rally, the ‘popular’ press and some elements of the national broadcasting media used it to revisit events in 2014 which they mis-reported then and did so again this time.

What worries me is if the facts a don’t fit the narrative they wish to tell, will some points be overlooked or omitted?

So the next time you see the BBC introducing their ‘fact checkers’ ask yourselves one question, who’s checking the ‘fact checkers’?

Domestic confinement

Plans to attend last weekend’s Jim Clark Rally were thwarted by a rather unfortunate reaction to the latest anti-Covid top-up vaccine, and it laid me low. It’s the first time I have ever taken such a bad reaction to a vaccine so if you’re offered the new Spikevax JN.1 Covid ‘top-up’ just be careful, a couple of other folk I know were badly affected!

Anyway, it meant I watched and listened to events in Duns from afar, and whilst the coverage from the motor sports press and social media was mostly respectful, other outlets seemed only too keen to re-hash bad memories from the past. Having read some of those weekend comments I wrote a column in anger on Sunday evening. Having read it back on Monday doubts about publishing it arose.

On second thoughts maybe I should, if only to correct a few omissions, mistruths and misconceptions which were ‘reported’ back then by some supposedly reputable national broadcasters and publishers!

I’ll keep names and personalities out of it though as rally fans will be only too well aware of those tragic events which happened eleven years ago.

See the next Post ….

Rally - Reivers this weekend

Yesterday at Knockhill, a couple of folk asked me if I would be at the Jim Clark Rally this weekend. I said I’d be there for the Reivers on Sunday. The plan is to get parked up in the Service Park, so look for the red Transit and the flag!

Amongst the customers were two guys who had a flick through the books and didn’t realise quite how comprehensive the rally reports were. For instance, although it is only the Reivers which is a round of the Scottish Championship, the books include reports on the international part of the event and other subsidiary rallies within the whole Jim Clark Rally weekend.

The way I look at it is, if the rally is in the Scottish Championship as well as other national and regional championships then the whole ‘event’ is reported, and that goes for the Border, RSAC, Granite, Park Systems and Jim Clark Memorial rallies. That interested the two chaps as they were of ‘furrin’ persuasion, in fact one was from the north east – England that is not Peterheid! So they were particularly interested in past JC rally reports.

Perhaps an item of more noteworthy news. On Friday last week I took the draft text of the next book (the 2000s) to the proof readers. Over lunch we discussed the front cover. The previous books each featured one photograph on the front cover and these were chosen on merit, but a problem arose with the cover for the next book because during the 2000 to 2009 decade two drivers each won the Scottish Championship title twice. So which one would go on the front cover? Or would there be two photographs? Well, the decision was made over steak pie and mash and a pint of draught Farm Yard alcohol free (surprisingly good) beer. The decision is not irreversible but I’ll discuss it with a few other interested parties first.

Now just the small problem of sorting through a few thousand photos, but as mentioned before I’ll keep the more embarrassing photos for a final book once I’ve got the serious stuff finished and out of the way.

Anyway, back to yesterday. Although it was primarily a racing crowd at Knockhill quite a few familiar faces and not so familiar faces – cos they were a lot older looking than they were when I first met them – stopped by for a natter! Amongst them was Cameron Binnie (Michael’s faither) who was a Scottish Formula Ford Champion back in the 1980s and a whole host of other Scottish racing champions over the past 50 years. Many of whom, sad to say, I hardly recognised. I used to report on motor races for ‘Motoring News’ back then, before concentrating on rallying, so many of the names were familiar but not the grizzled bewhiskered features!

Naturally double British Touring Car Champion John Cleland was also there, but it’s hard to forget the face of a chap who has tried to kill me thrice – but that’s another story, or three.

Also picked up a couple of snippets. Nick Runcie stopped by, at least an older and more mature (?) version of the chap who used to terrorise the trees. Apparently he has a ‘project’ in the garage which might just see the light of day later this year. At this news I can almost visualise the track side trees in the Scottish forests taking a hefty step backwards, but they needn’t bother, Nick fancies some tarmac rallying, so the timber is safe. Also with a bit of a project underway (when he’s got time) is the ‘Hebridean Hurricane’ who has acquired a Mk2 and bits, and wouldn’t it be nice to see Calum MacKenzie back in the woods?

See you in Duns?

 

Knockhill anniversary

The professional touch .... First outing for my new self made book display unit. Cobbled out of old Esso and Burmah display panels! It's a bit Heath Robinson, so call it work in progress. Having said that I was a bit distracted this morning here at Knockhill. The machinery on display is both evocative and magnificent. It fairly stirs the old memory box, and the sun is shining !!

Race - 50 Years of Racing

This weekend marks Knockhill’s 50th anniversary as a motor racing circuit and the gang have made ambitious plans to celebrate the occasion in style over Saturday and Sunday the 17th and 18th of May. On display will be many championship and race winning cars from the past while in the Paddock (and on track) will be many past stars and champions from the early days of motor racing at Knockhill. Full details and timetable on the Knockhill website.

https://www.knockhill.com/events/#fullSchedule

There will be other attractions on and around the circuit and a number of display and stands amongst which will be a certain rally ‘booktique’!  Rally books might be an odd choice for a motor racing anniversary but Knockhill has hosted many other sporting events over the years including rallies and hosting special stages of bigger rallies. But that will come later in the year.

There is another connection. I used to report on autotests, sprints, hillclimbs and motor races as well as rallies and as such was a frequent visitor at Knockhill in the early days. I don’t have many photos from back then because race reporters had to record their own lap charts which meant sitting high on the banking overlooking the Start/Finish line and seeing who got the best start and then who led each lap – and who didn’t. As the on-track timing system became more sophisticated through Derek Butcher’s ongoing enthusiasm there was less reliance on self-made lap charts and a few photographs could be taken around the circuit.

I have chosen the selection here not so much for their racing action as for highlighting the background which shows in graphic detail the huge changes and improvements that have been made to the circuit since Derek first set foot. See how many parts you recognise. These photos were from the 1984 season, that’s 41 years ago when Derek’s beard matched his hair!

Anyway, I will be there on Sunday and if you haven’t yet got a copy of the ‘Scottish Rally Championship 1990-1999’, I’ll have plenty with me. I’ll also have some of the 1980s book and the ‘Mull Murmurs’ books. Cash or card acceptable, but no Euros or Dollars!

https://fife-motor-sports-agency.square.site/

Rally - Kames this weekend

Although Kames International Motorsport Centre at Muirkirk has already hosted two Sprints this year, the complex’s rallying season gets underway tomorrow (Sunday 11th May) with the Mayfield Garage Services Spring Rally.

Run as ever by the East Ayrshire Car Club stalwarts and various ‘hingers-oan’ the event has attracted a pretty full entry of 37 cars and crews including 18 Junior 1000 Ecosse Challenge (14-17 years of age) drivers and their older (wiser?) sidekicks. And with 14 Special Stages on offer, it will keep the Officials and Marshal awfy busy. Amongst a flock of Mk2 Escorts a lone Chevette and Hyundai plus a few other makes add a splash of variety and then of course, there is the swarm of Junior 1000 one litre cars driven by the youngsters making their way in this adrenaline pumping speed sport.

For those fancying a day out with family and friends, the entry fee is a fiver a head and spectators can view the majority of the circuit from the banking so it’s ideal for a fix of the early Spring scents of petrol, brake pads and clutches after a Winter of deprivation.

Oh, and just one more thing, Kames Café’s catering is renowned far and wide and praised by the land’s most illustrious food critics for its ethnically celtic cuisine (and free from French influence) – photo attached!

Oh, and another thing, I’ll have books with me for those wishing to purchase one or two of these illustrated historical rallying tomes but the red Transit won’t be there – it’s still on its holidays. Instead look for the wee white Berlingo!!

https://fife-motor-sports-agency.square.site/

 

SSDT - Look-back

Another look-back …. Following yesterday’s post, and the feelings of withdrawal symptoms, a few folk commented on the scenery being part of the attraction of the SSDT, but there’s more to it than that. The riders become an intrinsic and physical part of the scenery itself and by the end of the week they’ll have the scrapes, scratches and bruises to prove it. They have to feel their way around every inch, foot and yard of the 450 mile six day route with rocks, roots and river flows trying to toss them off at every opportunity.

The event can trace its roots back to the first reliability trial in 1909 making this one of the UK’s longest running motor sports events and quite possibly the oldest motor cycle trial in the world.

Partly due to the popularity of the SSDT, the Edinburgh & District Motor Cycle Club organising team were asked to create an event based in Lochaber which would comprise a round of the 1992 FIM World Trials Championship. Sponsored by BP, the event itself was a success but it failed to excite the Scots because along with the FIM came a whole new set of rules, limitations, course requirements and other demands. Yes, it was spectacular and extremely difficult in places, but the SSDT it was not!

Don’t get the idea the SSDT is/was a softer option than a World Trial. The two don’t compare. The SSDT is as much an endurance event as a skills based competition but it hasn’t lost its amateur heart. Competitors will still help each other out while the spectators root for everyone regardless of skill level. The atmosphere is quite unique and thoroughly engrossing.

I remember chatting with a kindly old lad from Texas (that’s the Trumpland one, not the pop group) and I quoted him in my newspaper reports. He had visited just about every round of the FIM World series at least once but he made a point of visiting the SSDT every year! Besides the competition, it was the scenery, the camaraderie of the fans and the kindness and hospitality of the local folk that brought him back year after year. What an advert for Scotland, in fact the only thing he didn’t like was a haggis supper. I think it was the ‘deep fried in batter’ approach that bamboozled him.

These photos are from my first reports on the 1982 event.