1970's » 1972 COWDENBEATH / ARMADALE

1972

SALOON STOCKS         149 CARS

No Driver No Driver No Driver
16 John Leckie Jnr 154 Thomas Slater 226 James McRobb
22 Barry Watson 155 David Rennie 229 Jim Clark
23 Dougie Farrer 157 Norman McDonald 231 Richard Roy
40 Howard Jarman 161 Dave McCulloch 232 Ricky Valentine
50 Bill Butler 162 Malcolm Chesher 234 Ian McWhinnie
58 Gus Ellis 163 Donald Keddie 235 Jock Robertson
61 Ian Ramsay 165 Alan Brash 237 Alex Wright
65 David Wylie 167 Bill McLellan 239 Robert Hannah
67 Rab Ramsay 168 Thomas Murray 240  John Reid / Ian Turnbull
70 N/A 169 David Elliot 241 Charlie Milne
73 George Barnett 171 Tommy Davidson 242 Dick Lamont
78 George Paterson 172 Sonny Bennie 243 John Ireland
80 Jack Keeton 174 John Fish 244 Jimmy Low
82 Alex Baxter 176 Dunc Stevenson 246 Kenny Sharp
87 Alex Buchanen 177 Gordon McKinlay 247 Innes McRitchie
96 Matt Campbell 178 John Gilchrist 248 Eddy Stevenson
100 George MacMillan Jnr 180 John Howat 250 Bill Abercrombie
101 David Kelly 181 William Justice 256 Adam Reid
102 Ernest Abram 182 Bill Horsburgh 258 Alistair Hutchison
103 Robert Dow 183 John Brady 261 Bob Hamilton
105 Bob Smith 184 Colin Borthwick 271 John Myles
106 Hamish Buchanan 186 Andrew McLellan 278 Mike Turnbull
110 Ashley Reith 187 Malcolm Mann 284 Samuel Elder
112 Eric Edwards 188 Basil Aldous 286 Alexander Cunningham
116 Mick Reilly 189 George Sneddon 289 Robert Blackie
117 David Taylor 190 Bill Miller 290 John Wightman
118 Johnny Davidson 192 William Newall 291 Lesley Willocks
120 Harry Harris 193 John Dudgeon 295 Bobby Munro
121 Pete Malone 194 Duncan Muir 297 Ian Robb
123 James McCulloch 195 Andy Johnstone 298 Jake Farquhar
124 Stewart Webster 196 Kenny Ireland 299 Davy Philp
125 Robert Chapman 198 James Allan 300 Sandy Cowie
126 Dennis Watson 200 Adrian Armit 310 Earl Ogg
127 Tom Lindores 202 Phil Crowther 313 Kenneth Munro
129 Alfred Clark 203 Dave Toms 314 George Spalding
131 Gordon Brown 204 Lauchie Gilchrest 316 Ronald Berry
132 Bill Donaldson 205 Rab Dorman 318 James Law
134 Alexander Jack 207 Bert Stevens 319 Thomas Brown
135 Kenneth Bunyan 208 David Wallis 320 Robin Borthwick
136 George Wotherspoon 209 Michael Shiel 321 Willie Bryans
137 Patrick Meek 211 John Fyfe 322 Baldy Craig
138 Eddie Gillespie 212 Douglas Dow 324 George Dixon
140 Billy Wait 213 Pete McVay 325 Bill Cunningham
142 Alistair Cruikshank 215 Alex Coutts 326 Cameron McInnes
143 Reginald Keene 217 George Brown 330 Robert Bruce
144 James McNeill 218 Billy Elliot 331 Ford Ferguson
146 James Gordon 219 Derek Mackie 334 Fred Tait
147 David Neil 220 Thomas Fullerton 344 William Plank
149 William Inglis 221 Thomas Young    
151 Laurie Bunyan 222 Fraser Dunlop    
152 James Begley        

SUPERSTOX      63 CARS

No Driver No Driver No Driver
3 Colin Redmond 53 Thomas Farrer 119 Alan Neilson
5 George MacMillan 55 Bob Morton 122 Rab Gilmour
6 Walter Brown 59 Brian Russell 141 John McMenamin
8 Jack Reid 63 Bill Brown 145 Ron Anderson
9 John Duncker 66 James Meiklem 181 William Justice
10 Ian Boyd 68 Clark Thomas 196 Kenny Ireland
12 Bob Buchanen 70 Andy Davidson 204 Lauchie Gilchrest
13 George Marshall 72 John Wright 205 Rab Dorman
17 Mike Jack 74 Alex McFadyen 207 Bert Stevens
23 Dougie Farrer 75 Bill Crawford 222 Fraser Dunlop
27 Thomas Wallace 76 Ronnie Whitelaw 224 Gordon Lile
30 Dougie Lewis 77 Dave Cronin 253 Andrew Cochrane
31 Tenant Douglas 81 Bill Pullar 322 Archie Craig
33 Robert Foster 84 Les Brown    
34 Ashley Ainslie 85 Sam Page    
36 Billy McCourt 89 Ian Fitzsimmons    
38 Eddy Edmiston 90 James McCellan    
39 Les Clark 94 Vic Russell    
41 Gordon McDougall 97 Camie Cameron    
42 Brian Elder 104 Ronnie Nisbet    
46 David Heeps 107 Malcolm Paterson    
47 Bob Wilson 108 Derek Patrick    
48 David Wilson 109 Gavin McCreadie    
49 Eric Moore 114 Michael Moran    
51 William Mitchell 115 David Morris    

HOT RODS    34 CARS

No Driver No Driver No Driver
0 John Harvey 60 Jim Erskine 129 Alf Clark / John Paterson
007 Ian Bruce 64 Les Kay 130 Malcolm Watt
11 N/A 80 Jack Keeton 156 Ian Ostrau
18 James Ramsay 83 John Paterson 162 Malcolm Chesher
21 John Kirk 88 Alec Ormiston 165 Alan Brash
25 Willie Taylor 91 Robert Dickson 171 Tommy Davidson
28 Tommy Menzies 92 Archie Ferguson 201 Alistair Dziennick
34 Ashlie Ainslie 93 John Campbell 218 Billy Elliot
37 Ian Simpson 95 Ron McGregor / Alex Butchart 260 Lawrence Underwood
44 Robert Laing 99 James Jackson 313 Kenneth Munro
52 Alexander Nicol 111 Kenneth Copland    
54 Gerry Moore 120 N/A    

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The points awarded for the 1972 season were as follows:-

Saloon Stocks   Superstox     Hot Rods  
  Heats Final     Heats Final     Heats Final
1st 6 10   1st 12 16   1st 6 10
2nd 5 8   2nd 8 12   2nd 5 8
3rd 4 6   3rd 6 10   3rd 4 6
4th 3 4   4th 5 8   4th 3 4
5th 2 2   5th 4 6   5th 2 2
6th 1     6th 3 4   6th 1  
  7th 2 2  
8th 1 1

 It does not seem to be logical that points      
 are scored for 6th position in the heats but      
 not in the finals, however that is what the      
 promoters published

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First meeting 1972, 47 different Saloon Stocks & 28 different Superstox, this was virtually the same as the previous season, however we also had 9 Hot Rods.               
The average attendance for the season was 38 Saloon Stocks, down 10 on the previous season & 30 Superstox the same as 1971. The Hot Rods averaged 10 cars over the year.              
The highest attendance for the Saloon Stocks was 51 cars on the 9th April.               
The highest attendance for the Superstox was the Open Scottish at the same meeting of 43 cars.              
The Hot Rods reached a peak of 15 cars at the East of Scotland Championship on the 24th of September & equalled on the 15th October. No Scottish Championship this year - strange?              
              
July 15th Spedeweekend at Ipswich filmed for the first time by London Weekend Television for transmission on "World Of Sport" and the then new Sunday Sports Programme.

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Following the introduction of a concrete kerb to the base of the safety fence at Ipswich, a similar addition was made at  Cowdenbeath in 1972. The idea being to reduce the number of car & body crushing 70mph to zero impacts with fence posts. There is no doubt this type of accident was reduced, the price being that previous bounce off the wires collisions now often resulted in wheel damage. A single Armco "skid" rail had also added in 1971, but a lot of cars found themselves wedged under the rail. 

There was also an enforced change to the corner at the pits bend / stand straight due to tightened fire regulations requiring the fence to be moved further away from the fans.               
Unfortunately due to the football pitch, this made the track narrower. 

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The Main Man (photo Frank Love / Retrostox.co.uk)

The honours for the 1972 season were as follows:-

1972 SUPERSTOX POINTS CHAMPIONSHIP

    RED         BLUE  
Pos No Name Pts   Pos No Name Pts
1st 107 Malcolm Paterson 799   12th 55 Bob Morton 212
2nd 70 Andy Davidson 705   13th 94 Vic Russell 202
3rd 41 Gordon McDougall 555   14th 84 Les Brown 178
4th 9 John Duncker 477   15th 196 Kenny Ireland 133
5th 31 Tenant Douglas 454   16th 145 Ron Anderson 119
6th 119 Alan Neilson 374   17th 12 Robert Buchanan 89
7th 49 Eric Moore 335   18th 5 George MacMillan 87
8th 75 Bill Crawford 322   19th 27 Tom Wallace 70
9th 104 Ronnie Nisbet 295   20th 51 Bill Mitchell 68
10th 81 Bill Pullar 284   21st 53 Tom Farrer 63
11th 6 Walter Brown 238          

 

    YELLOW         WHITE  
Pos No Name Pts   Pos No Name Pts
22nd 39 Les Clark 39   30th= 36 Billy McCourt 14
23rd 3 Colin Redmond 36   30th= 63 Bill Brown 14
24th 47 Bob Wilson 30   32nd 115 Dave Morris 13
25th 10 Ian Boyd 27   33rd= 46 David Heeps 11
26th= 38 Eddy Edmiston 25   33rd= 109 Gavin McCreadie 11
26th= 224 Gordon Lyle 25   35th= 17 Mike Jack 10
28th 207 Bert Stevens 19   35th= 122 Rab Gilmour 10
29th 42 Brian Elder 16   37th 13 George Marshall 7
          38th 33 Robert Foster 6
          39th= 74 Alex McFadyen 5
          39th= 322 Archie Craig 5
          41st 66 James Meiklem 4
          42nd= 72 John Wright 3
          42nd= 90 James McCellan 3
          42nd= 204 Lauchie Gilchrest 3
          45th= 59 Brian Russell 2
          45th= 68 Clark Thomas 2
          45th= 205 Rab Dorman 2
          48th= 30 Dougie Lewis 1
          48th= 97 Camie Cameron 1
          48th= 108 Derek Patrick 1
          48th= 258 N/A 1

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SCOTTISH CHAMPIONSHIP - 27th AUGUST             OPEN SCOTTISH CHAMPIONSHIP - 9th APRIL

1st 104 Ronnie Nisbet   1st 41 Gordon McDougall
2nd 9 John Duncker   2nd 70 Andy Davidson
3rd 49 Eric Moore   3rd 107 Malcolm Paterson
4th 81 Bill Pullar   4th E221 Derek Warwick
5th 84 Les Brown   5th E213 Doug McMahon
6th 5 George MacMillan   6th 31 Tenant Douglas
7th   NOF   7th 75 Bill Crawford
8th   NOF   8th 81 Bill Pullar

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UK CHALLENGE CUP - 13th AUGUST                 EAST of SCOTLAND CHAMPIONSHIP 1st AUGUST

1st 70 Andy Davidson   1st 119 Alan Neilson
2nd E319 Denny Pearson   2nd 31 Tenant Douglas
3rd 9 John Duncker   3rd 84 Les Brown
4th 31 Tenant Douglas   4th 49 Eric Moore
5th E364 Tony May   5th 9 John Duncker
6th 49 Eric Moore   6th 46 David Heeps
7th 104 Ronnie Nisbet   7th 74 Alex McFadyen
8th 41 Gordon McDougall   8th 72 John Wright

WEST of SCOTLAND CHAMPIONSHIP - 7th JULY                  "COCK of the NORTH" 29th OCTOBER

1st 70 Andy Davidson   1st 196 Kenny Ireland
2nd 49 Eric Moore   2nd 75 Bill Crawford
3rd 107 Malcolm Paterson   3rd 107 Malcolm Paterson
4th 31 Tenant Douglas   4th 41 Gordon McDougall
5th 81  Bill Pullar   5th 81 Bill Pullar
6th  115 Davey Morris   6th 9 John Duncker
7th  5 George MacMillan   7th 119 Alan Neilson
8th   NOF   8th 94 Vic Russell

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Superstox              
              
The English Board of Control voted to allow Ford engines, to the same spec as the Hot Rods. A move which had been strenuously resisted in the past. The BOC this time however believed the existing BMC 1800cc units would have no performance disadvantage to the Ford units. The basis for the decision was that there were simply more off the shelf parts available for the Ford engines. The engines would be the subject of 350 pound claiming rule, which allowed you to purchase a competitors engine for this price.              
Claiming rules were extremely rarely used however, and when they were it was usually some sort of retribution action for some previous on track contretemps.


Reigning Scottish Saloon Stock Champion Kenny Ireland moved to the Superstox, still only 17 years old. He had purchased the Malcolm Paterson 1971 car, and managed to achieveblue grade by the end of the season.


All in draw re-introduced for grid positions in the Open Scottish Championship, this had been missing for a few years in Scotland.              
With regard to the race itself, Gordon McDougall was the red hot favourite having won 8 races in a row. He was also drawn on the front row. He did have a close run battle with Andy Davidson who had closed right up to him at the end. Malcolm Paterson was 3rd, Derrick Warwick 4th & Doug McMahon 5th (from 25th on the grid).              
So Gordon McDougall's stats after this meeting  for the previous 12 races was, 10 - wins, 1 - 2nd 1 - disqualification.               
Gordon then went on to record his 100th race win on the 28th April at Armadale.


Bill McLeod (F2 /Superstox race number 4) retired from his officiating position of Assistant Track Controller in April 72. Bill had been one of the original BSCDA drivers who joined the Spedeworth organisation in 1965. Bill had always maintained a high standard when racing indeed won the Formula Two European Championship held at White City Glasgow. I believe this may have taken place in 1964, as the race was scheduled to take place there that year, however at this time I cannot confirm this. 


No 4 ex F2 European Champion Bill McLeod (knockhillimages.smugmug.com)

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Oval Racing Stalwart 23 Dougie Farrer (photo Frank Love / Retrostox)

Dougie Farrer decided to make a second attempt in the Superstox in 1972 in a self built car, brother Tam who had reached blue in the Saloon Stocks also planned to try Superstox buying Billy McCourt's old car.              
Dougie had abandoned his previous attempt after only scoring 1 point in the formula.              
This time however he was going to give it a fair go, after all he was already 35 years old!

 

 

 

 

 

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Kenny Ireland caught mid 5 times roll (knockhillimages.smugmug.com)

During British Superstox British Qualifying meeting Kenny Ireland executed a 5 times roll, although shaken he was unhurt.

The qualifying rounds for the British Championship were over 4 meetings no less - not that this was exploitation or anything. So despite the qualifying events often excluding the best drivers from the top events in the end, it often produced great racing. This time it was even more thrilling than before, with added spice, as the race was to be televised by ITV's World of Sport and they obviously wanted to be on TV. 

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Andy Davidson parked on top of Malcolm Paterson (photo knockhillimages.smugmug.com)

The Scottish Superstox Championship was quite an eventful race. While trying to get past Malcolm Paterson, Andy Davidson managed to park his car on top of Malcolm's', eliminating them both. Gordon McDougall was the next hot contender out when he hit the fence and bounced out into the middle of the track. Vic Russell had taken up the lead, but Ronnie Nisbet caught him up. He couldn't find a way passed, so Vic ended up in the fence. This fracas allowed John Duncker to catch up with Ronnie and he just failed to spin him. It looked as though his next attempt should surely succeed. Through all of this Vic was still in his car stuck in the fence, unable to get out. The race was therefore declared. Ronnie first, John second, Eric Moore collecting 3rd. 

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Qualifying for the 1972 British Championship as follows:-             
Andy Davidson   32         
Tennant Douglas   27         
Bill Crawford   18         
Bill Pullar   13         
Alan Neilson   11         
Malcolm Paterson   8         
Gordon McDougall had accumulated 9 points, but as the defending champion would take part in any case. 

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"Happy" Sam Page (85), 1967 Scottish Points Champion, was forced to retire through doctors orders in 1972, he had made sporadic appearances in the last few seasons, but had still been capable of some great form winning 3 finals towards the end of the 1971 season.


Andy Davidson brought the long running Paterson / May share of the UK Challenge Cup to an end by winning the event in 1972. Andy had a brilliant season finishing 2nd in the Scottish Points               
Championship to Malcolm Paterson (up from 5th the previous season), 2nd in the Open Scottish to Gordon McDougall & the leading winner of finals with 9. He also finished 6th in the World Championship at Wimbledon.


In 1972 Gwen Cecil intimated a 50 lap race in the Superstox, where she donated an extra 50 pounds to the winner as well as the normal final prize money.               
She believed that the Scottish drivers did not get enough experience of driving 50 lap races, which all the major championships were. The format then was that the places at the end of the 25 laps were registered as a normal final with normal points and prize money, the race then continued for another 25 laps with the winner receiving the extra 50 pounds. Kenny Ireland's parents donated an extra 15 pounds for 2nd & 10 pounds for 3rd.               
In the event, to quote Gwen "to say I was disappointed is an understatement", the race turned into a bit of a procession. Roy had apparently told her that long races invariably turn into endurance tests. I don't think the experiment was ever repeated. Andy Davidson was the winner.                 
Maybe the extra laps did some good for Andy Davidson with his 6th in the World Championship at Wimbledon the following week, he finished behind Geoff Goddard (294), Pete Welland (264), John Cayzer (381), Tony May (363) & Bob Perry (217).


Scottish qualifiers for the 1972 World Championship were Bob Morton, Andy Davidson, Bill Crawford, Vic Russell, Gordon McDougall, Malcolm Paterson, Alan Neilson & John Duncker.               
Geoff Goddard retained his title, form Pete Welland and John Cayzer. Andy Davidson collected a well earned 6th & Gordon McDougall 8th.


It was reported that the crowd for this meeting was an amazing 40,000! I would be grateful if anyone can confirm that Wimbledon could attract such crowds. My feeling is that it is a missprint.


On the 15th October Andy took his 3rd 40 point haul for the season, winning both his heats & the final, strangely this was to be Andy's last success, he obtained a few places in the remaining three meetings, & made an appearance at the Christmas meeting also getting places in each race, but then never raced again. Scotland's greatest Stock Car journalist (now enjoying retirement) Ian Fraser happened across Andy for the first time in 20 years in a supermarket in Lochgelly. Following a conversation I had with Ian in 2010, he put to Andy why he did retire?, basically it was the agro in the pits after the racing that Andy found increasingly distasteful.               
A great shame Andy achieved some brilliant results in his relatively short career, in extremely fast self built cars.


Both Malcolm Paterson and Gordon McDougall also had 40 point maximums at Cowdenbeath during the season but only once each. Malcolm also obtained a total of 3 (4 race maximums at Armadale) where there were 3 all in heats contested. I do not know if Spedeworth Scotland scored these meetings different. For these purposes I have scored the meetings as per the published scoring system ie these then become 52 point maximums.

           
Billy McCourt debuted a midget styled Superstox with its engine in the back, but wasn't an outstanding success. He did finish top of the yellows though. 

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The stats for the most wins in 1972 were as follows:- 

For these purposes the British, Open Scottish, UK Challenge Cup & "Cock of The North" (Final & Championship winners race) are counted as finals.              
 

Pos No Name Finals Heats   Pos No Name Finals Heats
1st 70 Andy Davidson 12 19   15th 145 Ronnie Anderson 0 2
2nd 107 Malcolm Paterson 6 40   16th= 6 Walter Brown 0 1
3rd= 31 Tenant Douglas 6 14   16th= 27 Tom Wallace 0 1
3rd= 41 Gordon McDougall 6 14   16th= E183 Phill May 0 1
5th 104 Ronnie Nisbet 4 3   16th= E587 Jim Stuart 0 1
6th 119 Alan Neilson 3 5            
7th= 49 Eric Moore 3 3            
7th= 196 Kenny Ireland 3 3            
9th 9 John Duncker 2 12            
10th 75 Bill Crawford 1 3            
11th 94 Vic Russell 1 1            
12th 81 Bill Pullar 1 0            
13th 55 Bob Morton 0 6            
14th 84 Les Brown 0 4            

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Scottish Championship 1st Hamish Buchan, 2nd Davey Philp, 3rd Dave Wallis (knockhillimages.smugmug.com)

1972 SALOON STOCK POINTS CHAMPIONSHIP  

    RED         BLUE  
Pos No Name Pts   Pos No Name Pts
1st 106 Hamish Buchannan 490   12th 221 Thomas Young 93
2nd 299 Davey Philp 332   13th 316 Ronald Berry 79
3rd 118 Johnny Davidson 229   14th 344 William Plank 75
4th 222 Fraser Dunlop 167   15th 120 Harry Harris 65
5th 149 William Inglis 164   16th 194 Duncan Muir 62
6th 320 Robin Borthwick 157   17th 186 Andrew McLellan 60
7th 161 Dave McCulloch 150   18th 152 James Begley 59
8th 146 James Gordon 142   19th 247 Innes McRitchie 57
9th 248 Eddy Stevenson 133   20th= 78 George Paterson 56
10th 40 Howie Jarman 120   20th= 178 John Gilchrest 56
11th 290 John Wightman 100   20th= 325  Bill Cunningham 56
          23rd 23 Dougie Farrer 53

 

    YELLOW         WHITE  
Pos No Name Pts   Pos No Name Pts
24th 195 Andy Johnstone 48   37th= 82 Alex Baxter 23
25th 330 Robert Bruce 47   37th= 110 Ashley Reith 23
26th 121 Pete Malone 45   39th 231 Richard Roy 22
27th 198 James Allan 44   40th= 105 Bob Smith 20
28th= 151 Laurie Bunyan 39   40th= 163 Donald Keddie 20
28th= 208 Dave Wallis 39   40th= 193 John Dudgeon 20
28th= 319 Thomas Brown 39   43rd 271 John Myles 16
31st 131 Gordon Brown 31   44th= 65 David Wylie 15
32nd= 22 Barry Watson 30   44th= 143 Reginald Keene 15
32nd= 129 Alf Clark 30   46th 171 Tommy Davidson 13
34th= 16 John Leckie Jnr 24   47th 331 Ford Ferguson 12
34th= 167 Bill McLellan 24   48th= 50 Bill Butler 11
34th= 242 Dick Lamont 24   48th= 189 George Sneddon 11
          50th= 184 Colin Borthwick 10
          50th= 187 Malcolm Mann 10
          50th= 205 Rab Dorman 10
          53rd 155 David Rennie 8
          54th 241 Charlie Milne 7
          55th= 144 James McNeill 6
          55th= 244 Jimmy Low 6
          57th= 67 Rab Ramsay 4
          57th= 96 Matt Campbell 4
          57th= 103 Robert Dow 4
          57th= 123 James McCulloch 4
          61st= 101 David Kelly 3
          61st= 142 Alistair Cruikshank 3
          61st= 176 Dunc Stevenson 3
          61st= 310 Earl Ogg 3
          65th= 112 Eric Edwards 2
          65th= 132 Bill Donaldson 2
          65th= 235 Jock Robertson 2
          68th= 137 Patrick Meek 1
          68th= 168 Thomas Murray 1
          68th= 172 Sonny Bennie 1
          68th= 203 Dave Toms 1
          68th= 215 Alex Coutts 1
          68th= 286 Alex  Cunningham 1
          68th= 295 Bobby Munro 1
          68th= 322 Baldy Craig 1

SCOTTISH CHAMPIONSHIP - 3rd SEPTEMBER         EAST of SCOTLAND CHAMPIONSHIP - 1st OCTOBER 

1st 106 Hamish Buchanan   1st 106 Hamish Buchanan
2nd 299 Davey Philp   2nd 118 Johnny Davidson
3rd 208 Dave Wallis   3rd 40 Howie Jarman
4th 320 Robin Borthwick   4th 161 Dave McCulloch
5th 194 Duncan Muir   5th 67 Rab Ramsay
6th 40 Howie Jarman   6th 146 James Gordon

WEST of SCOTLAND CHAMPIONSHIP - DATE N/A           "COCK of the NORTH" - 31st OCTOBER

1st   N/A   1st 131 Gordon Brown
2nd   N/A   2nd 118 Johnny Davidson
3rd   N/A   3rd 299 Davey Philp
4th   N/A   4th 316 Ronald Berry
5th   N/A   5th 248 Eddy Stevenson
6th   N/A   6th 120 Harry Harris

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The stats for the most wins in 1972 were as follows:-

Pos No Name Finals Heats   Pos No Name Finals Heats
1st 106 Hamish Buchanan 18 37   19th= 198 James Allan 0 3
2nd 299 Davey Philp 6 10   23rd= 110 Ashley Reith 0 2
3rd 320 Robin Borthwick 4 5   23rd= 146 James Gordon 0 2
4th 118 Johnny Davidson 3 13   23rd= 161 Dave McCulloch  0 2
5th 152 James Begley 2 2   27th=  165 Alan Brash  0 2
6th 221 Tom Young 1 8   27th= 16 John Leckie Jnr 0 1
7th 325 Bill Cunningham 1 3   27th= 105 Bob Smith 0 1
8th= 120 Harry Harris 1 2   27th= 121 Pete Malone 0 1
8th= 131 Gordon Brown 1 2   27th= 127 Tom Lindores 0 1
8th= 242 Dick Lamont 1 2   27th= 129 Alfred Clark  0 1
8th= 316 Ronald Berry 1 2   27th= 151 Laurie Bunyan  0 1
12th= 22 Barry Watson 1 1   27th= 161 Dave McCulloch 0 1
12th= 149 Bill Inglis  1 1   27th= 163 Donald Keddie  0 1
12th = 248 Eddy Stevenson  1 1   27th= 184 Colin Borthwick 0 1
15th 178 John Gilchrist  1 0   27th= 189 Basil Aldous  0 1
16th 222 Fraser Dunlop 0 8   27th= 247 Innes McRitchie  0 1
17th= 23 Dougie Farrer 0 5    27th= 319 Thomas Brown   0  1
17th= 344 William Plank 0 5   27th=  330   Robert Bruce  0
19th= 40 Howie Jarman 0 3            
19th=  78 Gerry Paterson  0 3            
19th= 186 Brian Carnegie 0 3            

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A few interesting events pre-season. Les Eaton Spedeworth International CEO, was not happy with the Saloon Stock performances. He believed there was too much racing and not enough Stock Car action. Engine limits were raised to 2000cc. Drivers were warned if the promoters did not feel they were putting on crowd pleasing performances, they would find difficulties in obtaining future bookings for meetings.


The Scottish Saloon Stocks decided not to follow suit with the engine change, in fact despite a litany of complaints from Saloon Stock drivers re the legality or otherwise of numerous aspects of the Saloon Stock, when it came to the crunch it was decided not to change or tighten up the regs. Things were left as is. Thus the disparity between the English & Scottish Saloon Stocks commenced.  -  For the better I might add. 


Les Eaton had been challenged on the increased number of Banger meetings which had been scheduled in 1971, apparently at the expense of the Saloon Stocks. Les stated that personally he was not in favour of Bangers, and he believed that sooner or later the spectators would become bored with them. However from a crowd point of view their inclusion in 1971 had been successful, despite crowd attendances being down at all tracks overall. Bangers would therefore continue to be scheduled in 1972.


Former Corbie Wood Stock Car Track drivers in the Saloon Stocks were Ronald Berry, Bill Plank & George Paterson.


A lot of meetings were persisting with 4 Saloon Stock heats, which could result in races with only 12 cars. This would often result in some quite uninteresting races.


A notable event occurred on the 4th June, Robert Bruce secured his first win.


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Perennial runner up it seemed for 199 Davey Philp in 1972 (photo Frank Love / Retrostox.co.uk)

The Scottish Saloon Stock Championship, saw a brilliant display from Hamish Buchanan, in a race where absolute mayhem ensued from start to finish. The current two top points scorers Hamish & Davy Philp were drawn last out of the hat, so they had it all to do. They finished one and two & Dave Wallis collected a deserving 3rd.


An interesting note in the 2nd July programme where it was stated that Andy Johnstone (195), received a 4 pound fine & 1 race meeting ban for reversing on the track, Andy had deliberately reversed into Davy Philp during a score settling final on the 25th June. 

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1972 HOT ROD POINTS CHAMPIONSHIP 

    RED         BLUE  
Pos No Name Pts   Pos No Name Pts
1st 64 Les Kay 376   5th 7 Ian Bruce 260
2nd 21 "Captain John Kirk" 319   6th 25 Willie Taylor 137
3rd 130 Malcolm Watt 315   7th 83 John Paterson 75
4th 93 John Campbell 264   8th 80 Jack Keeton 74

 

    YELLOW         WHITE  
Pos No Name Pts   Pos No Name Pts
9th 52 Alex Nicol 55   13th 44 Robert Laing 18
10th 165 Alan Brash 53   14th 162 Malky Chesher 13
11th 91 Robert Dickson 28   15th 260 Lawrence Underwood 13
12th 95 Alex Butchart 24   16th 28 Tommy Menzies 10
          17th 54 Gerry Moore 8
          18th 37 Ian Simpson 7
          19th 92 Archie Ferguson 7
          20th 11 N/A 4
          21st 60 Jim Erskine 4
          22nd 129 John Paterson 4
          23rd 0 John Harvey 3
          24th 99 James Jackson 2
          25th 156 Ian Ostrau 2

SCOTTISH CHAMPIONSHIP - NOT HELD           "COCK of the NORTH" - 29th OCTOBER

1st N/A  N/A   1st 130 Malcolm Watt
2nd  N/A N/A   2nd 64 Les Kay
3rd  N/A N/A   3rd 52 Alex Nicol
4th  N/A N/A   4th 165 Alan Brash
5th  N/A  N/A   5th 93 John Campbell
6th  N/A  N/A   6th 21 John Kirk

OPEN SCOTTISH CHAMPIONSHIP - 12th AUGUST           "COCK of the NORTH" - 29th OCTOBER

1st 64 Les Kay   1st 130 Malcolm Watt
2nd 130 Malcolm Watt   2nd 64 Les Kay
3rd E267 Graham North   3rd 52 Alex Nicol
4th E111 Ken Deakin   4th 165 Alan Brash
5th   N/A   5th 93 John Campbell
6th   N/A   6th 21 John Kirk

Race wins for 1972:-

Pos No Name Finals Heats
1st 130 Malcolm Watt 11 15
2nd 21 John Kirk 8 14
3rd 64 Les Kay 6 16
4th 93 John Campbell 4 4
5th 52 Alex Nicol 2 3
6th 165 Alan Brash 2 2
7th 7 Ian Bruce 1 8
8th 80 Jack Keeton 1 2
9th 313 Kenneth Munro 1 0
10th 25 Willie Taylor 0 2
11th 83 John Paterson 0 2
12th 44 Robert Laing 0 1
13th 120 #N/A 0 1
14th 162 Malcolm Chesher 0 1
15th E111 Ken Deakin 0 1

The other interesting fact is almost 50% of Hot Rod race wins in 1972 were with drivers utilising the Hillman Imp.

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A Scottish Hot Rod Legend 64 Les Kay (photo Frank Love / Retrostox.co.uk)

Jack Keeton who finished 2nd in the 1970 points & 5th in the 1971 points had a go in the Hot Rods for 1972, picked up a final & couple of heats but soon had the car up for sale with the promise of a return to the Saloon Stocks.


Les Kay's effort in the 1972 World Championship was brilliant, getting up to 3rd place when forced to withdraw when closing on the 2nd place man.

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Ex "Corbie Wood" drivers Ian Bruce & John Paterson in a very tidy Ford Capri debuted at Cowdenbeath. (knockhillimages.smugmug.com)

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Discipline in the Hot Rods was frankly a disaster. While the shape of the Cowdenbeath track contributed to damage; deliberate barging, pushing, spinning & fencing was prevalent.              
Rule enforcement was erratic. 50% of cars utilised in 1972 ended up with massive damage in the fence. This also occurred at Armadale, so it was not just the track. It was particularly frustrating when all of a sudden everyone would seem to race within the rules & produce  a very entertaining meeting.              
While these displays must have put off prospective new drivers, it is debatable whether these antics were likely to attract more spectators or put them off. What is certain is that it certainly got them involved. With equal amounts of loud booing & cheering accompanying winners laps of honour or dishonour!              
            
Even the New Year 71 / 72 meeting, (in which only four cars competed), Les Kay & Malcolm Watt continued a feud which had developed, taking each other out. In fact it led to Ediburgh Evening News Stock Car journalist Ian Fraser to comment that Les seemed to show more inclination to "mix it" in the Hot Rods than he had in the Saloon Stocks!            
I have to say that if Les started in the Hot Rods being free with Saloon Stock tactics, he developed into one of the cleanest, fairest and fastest Hot Rod drivers around. 

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