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.