Hoping to make Racewall's 40th celebrations special

The track season traditionally starts in March and runs until late autumn.

Although the early sessions may have to be rearranged, the recent announcement on a gradual easing of lockdown restrictions provides optimism that others will be held as the year goes on.

Last year the track managed to host a series of successful sessions behind closed before the season was concluded.

And it’s set to be a big season as Gordon McDougall Promotions celebrates 40 years of hosting racing.

Mr McDougall started it all in 1981 at Newtongrange before the Cowdenbeath Racewall took over following the closure of the Newtongrange Oval.

The Racewall has gone on to host numerous memorable championship events, none more so than the 2014 formula II world f inal.

Three days of action packed racing culminated with Scotland’s George MacMillan Jnr coming out as the winner.

A temporary stand had been built behind the pit bend at the Kingdom track which housed over 1000 spectators and the atmosphere was exceptional, especially on the day of the final.

There have been five BriSCA world finals in Scotland with Malcolm Locke winning the one held at Newtongrange.

A t the Racewall, home drivers Allister King, Chris Burgoyne and MacMillan have brought joy to the home fans.

The other winner in Scotland was Rob Speak in 1997, one of his eight triumphs.

In the saloons the home drivers haven’t been as lucky, although there have been a total of eight world c hampionship races at the Racewall.

Ernie Burgoyne won the title in 1991 but only Harry Burgoyne in 1998 and Stuart Shevill Jnr in 2013 have got their hands on the ‘world’.

A saloon world final at the Racewall has to be seen to believed – the atmosphere and noise from the fans makes it an exceptional occasion.

It looked as if Scots were on course for a good result in 2003 but, while we had a bunch of cars in the lead positions, in one fate full bend we basically lost them all in dramatic fashion .

That year ended with David Aldous winning his first title.

One of the big races on this year’s schedule for the Racewall is the ORCi stock rod world final with Jack Kennedy from Northern Ireland defending his title.

The final has been staged at the Cowdenbeath Racewall seven times with the home drivers having four successes, Northern Ireland two and England one.

The last time it was at the Racewall conditions played a massive part in the outcome and making the correct choice paid dividends and saw Lee McGill, Glenrothes, storm away to win.

Three years before that Michael Bethune, Kirkcaldy, triumphed while Chris Lattka, Carronshore, won in 2013 and 1999.

Motorsport correspondent Jim Turner said: “Quite a few of the stock rod world races have been close run affairs with a lot of close racing. Hopefully this year’s event will be full of close and exciting racing with perhaps a home winner.”