Tayport’s Neil gets into gear for the new season starting

Neil, a builder to trade, only took up stock car racing back in 2018.

He first appeared in the prostock basic formula which the promotion had set up in an effort to entice new drivers into the sport before eventually joining friend Steve Gunby in the stock rods.

“I bought a Nova from Stuart Wedderburn and when we got it back to the garage we began to get it ready for the practice,” said Neil.

“We repainted the car and then dropped my engine into it and that was us ready to go.

“I found the car quite difficult to drive and struggled to get the set up right. I stayed as a white grade driver over the season and didn’t feel I was making as much progress as I had hoped. I missed out on racing in the Scottish Championship but whilst I raced in the last meeting of the season which was the Si Lang memorial race I struck problems with the engine and had to retire.”

One change of car later, Neil entereted the practice sessions for last season running “reasonably well”, in his words.

“It was like night and day to the Nova,” he added.

“The car would go where I wanted it to go and I was really looking forward to the start of the season.”

But the pandemic arrived and with it the chance of hitting the ground running for a new season.

Neil’s car had to sit in the garage until motorsport was eventually allowed to resume in early autumn.

One he got the green light, Neil was raring to go.

“The first of the closed door meetings was held on September 26 and there was a good turn out of cars.

“In the heats I felt the car was really on the pace and I was delighted to pick up a third place in my opening heat.

“I followed that with a sixth place in heat two but then when the final started I moved into the lead right away.

“I wasn’t able to make a break and there were a couple of cars running on my back bumper.

“I concentrated on maintaining a good line and towards the end of the race I began to pull away.

“I had led all the way and it was a great feeling when I crossed the finish line to pick up my first win in the stock rods.”

At the next meeting Neil was forced to retire but he’s now itching to get started again when the season is scheduled to start in spring.

“My car is sitting in the garage ready for action and I can’t wait until the start to the season.

“If all goes well I hope to get in a full season’s racing and might even venture south of the border but that will depend on how well I am doing. I don’t think I will take in any of the Northern Ireland trips as yet.

“The European and World Championships were scheduled to be held in Scotland last year and hopefully that will be the case this year. I am very hopeful of qualifying for both and if I could get a result in both then that would be my target.

“It is only my brother Matthew and I that work on the car but I know that if I need help that I can call on the Bethune’s.

“I get sponsorship from EJB Autocare and from Paterson’s Haulage of Newport.”