Whitekirk Classic Scramble - 7 October 2007

Merrylees Farm, near Whitekirk, East Lothian

Report by Richard Winn.

After some wet events this year this was a fantastic way to end the season with very close fought racing in bright sunshine on an excellent mile long track near North Berwick. Nearly every race in the programme appeared to feature Keith Barnes as he prepared himself for the upcoming British Championship round on Steve Dent's brace of very quick Faber BSA's. However Keith had a rather incident packed day and had to give best to Gold Star mounted Mike Bell in the Pre 65 over 350cc class, a majestic Norman Barrow in the Pre 75 over 300cc Class and a flying Tom Anderson in the under 40's. He did finally win the Pre 70 Class from Willie Wallace who was also mounted on one of the increasingly popular Faber BSA’s with newly crowned Class Champion Ant Ireland doing all he needed in finishing in third place.

Mike Bell was one of three double class winners on the day with his second Class win coming in the Pre 60’s where he defeated the Jackson's, Colin and son Lee. Norman Barrow got his second win in the over 60’s from an absolutely storming John Bethell followed by Willie Wallace and Tommy Anderson completed his double victory in the Pre 75 up to 300cc class where he was pushed harder than ever before by his main adversary Derek Macauley. In third was Ian Stainton who had dashed to the meeting straight from work with little or no sleep but he was happy with the result although extremely tired.

Jim Allan put on a tigerish display of riding in winning the smaller Pre 65 Class on his Bultaco Metisse from Rab Kennedy and Charlie Robertson and big Ken Soutar as usual won the over 50’s with Graeme `the hat` Bell second and a stylish Tony Hegarty in third. That fast gating Maico man from Dunoon Grant McClure took the over 40’s with Cheney mounted Ant Ireland second and a strong ride from Colin Ritchie netting him third overall.

The Twinshock boys served up some very high speed action with the Penrith crew of father and son Nigel and Gary Sowerby and friend Dave Bateman finishing in that order. Nigel’s style as he wound up the big 490cc Maico on some of the faster parts of the track was one of the highlights of a thoroughly entertaining and hard days racing and everyone can hardly wait for next year!

Results

PRE 60 1) Mike Bell 2) Colin Jackson 3) Lee Jackson

PRE 65 UP TO 350cc 1) Jim Allan 2) Rab Kennedy 3) Charlie Robertson

PRE 65 OVER 300cc 1) Mike Bell 2) Keith Barnes 3) Peter Yeats

PRE 70 1) Keith Barnes 2) Willie Wallace 3) Ant Ireland

PRE 75 UP TO 300cc 1) Tommy Anderson 2) Derek Macaulay 3) Ian Stainton

PRE 75 OVER 300cc 1) Norman Barrow 2) Keith Barnes 3) John Bethell

TWINSHOCK 1) Nigel Sowerby 2) Gary Sowerby 3) Dave Bateman

OVER 50's 1) Ken Soutar 2) Graeme Bell 3) Tony Hegarty

UNDER 40's 1) Tom Anderson 2) Craig Dickson 3) Keith Barnes

OVER 40’s 1) Grant McClure 2) Ant Ireland 3) Colin Ritchie

OVER 60’s 1) Norman Barrow 2) John Bethell 3) Willie Wallace

Derek Macaulay (29) giving Tommy Anderson a good run for his money in the Pre 75 up to 300cc.

Bob Fergus chases his childhood hero George Hodge.

Jim Allan, Scottish Pre 65 up to 350cc Champion 2007.

Right - Keith Barnes in one of his many races of the day.

Father and son, Nigel and Gary Sowerby coming 1st and 2nd in the Twinshocks.

Jim Allison still enjoying his first season on the B50MX.

Tommy Anderson, one of the easiest riders to take a good photie of.