KNOCKHILL MOTORFAIR

We headed off to the Motorfair on Friday so that we could get set up and put the new fuel pump. Just as we turned the lorry around in the street Lee popped his head out of the door – STOP!! We had a stow-away. Haggis the cat curious, as most cats are, had been lounging on the lorry couches in the sun while we loaded up. In a sneaky attempt to finally go travelling he moved onto the bunks and hid. Had Lee not noticed a slight movement out of the corner of his eye he would have had his holidays in Fife.

We had a good run down and it looked like the weather was going to be perfect. There was quite a lot already there when we arrived but we had a set are to park just inside the main gate. After instructing another crowd on how to erect a GH awning we cracked on and put our own up. Lee then sorted out the fuel pump before we settled down to a Chinese.

There were some cracking cars on display opposite us including a fully restored mark one Escort in stunning orange. It’s lucky owner, John Marshall, had a further three Fordies with two RS 1600’s and two RS 1800’s all immaculate. Alongside them was a stunning red Triumph and a luscious red mark one E type Jag. Behind them, slightly out of place, was a rather charming rusty old petrol tractor.

The bottom paddock started filling up with all sorts of trucks; some didn’t look anything special but their owners were obviously very proud of them and were out polishing windows and painting in stone chips. Others were a bit more glamorous including the giant Gillies horsebox and an incredibly clean black and shiny cattle float. The best was the mini truck run on an electric battery – called Jenny! Pity didn’t get a picky of that one as it was very cute.

The events kicked off with us going out at 9.30 in the morning while it was still pretty quiet. We flew round the track a few times and the fuel pump worked a treat. We went out on track down the hill next to the restaurant which was a bit unusual and we were after the big beetle and the Focus Cosworth. Neither of them had much luck as the beetle broke a gearbox and the Focus, after a supreme slide round the hairpin proceeded to burst its turbo and retire for repairs.

We had the rest of the day to look around and chat to folk interested in sidecars. First of all we wanted to check out the Formula one car firing up. Sidecar seems dead simple in comparison as we don’t have to warm the oil and water before firing up. The noise when it did go was awesome and we were looking forward to seeing it out on track later that morning.

We met some really nice people that day many of whom had never seen the likes of a sidecar before. We went back out in the afternoon but after a few laps someone spun off and we had to call it short so they could clear the track. The Formula one car had some trouble in the morning and finally got out straight after us so we missed it on track. It was a cracking sunny day and a fine evening rounded of with a few beers and a bit of craic.

Next outing is not till July when we are back East Fortune. This week the Douglas Racing logo is off to the Isle of Man with Gordon Shand who has borrowed a quickshifter for his F2. He said it worked well round Knockhill so hopefully will help him get round the Island rapid style too. We wish him good luck and a safe trip.