ARCHIE BROWN became the youngest Saloon World Champion when his last bend challenge sent the leader wide and he went through to win at Cowdenbeath Racewall, writes our reporter, Jim Turner.

In doing so, he emulated the result his father achieved in 2008, also at the Racewall, becoming the first father / son combination to hold the world title.

The Saloon racing over the weekend was something special with three rollovers, shunts and a lot of close and exciting racing, whilst on Sunday there were five, one in the Formula IIs and the rest in the Saloons It proved to be a hectic but an exciting weekend of stock car racing at the Cowdenbeath Racewall, where three major titles were up for grabs and two trophy meetings.

On Saturday, the stadium was buzzing with excitement with the prospect of a home win in the DP Commercials/Stuart’s Coaches sponsored Saloon World Final, with the spectators keeping a wary eye on the proceedings.

There were 72 Saloons filling the pits and amongst them were the present world champion Deane Mayes, the European champion Timmy Barnes, and the British champion, Adam O’Dell. The afternoon practice sessions weren't without problems but most drivers had their cars ready in time.

The Saloon World Final drivers lined up in their order for the grid walk which was as popular as ever with the fans being able to get photos and autographs with the drivers.

There were two last chance qualifying heats with the first three from each lining up at the rear of the field.

The first consolation heat was suspended after Harry Barnes parked his car on top of a marker tyre with a little help. Harry Darby was the leader and he went on to win from Kai Gilmour and Stevie Honeyman. Adam O'Dell led the second heat from start to finish, but Levi List just got the better of Tam Rutherford Junior to finish as the runner-up.

Once the drivers had been paraded to the fans the grid was formed with the World Cup winner, Stuart Shevill Junior on pole and Brad Compton-Sage alongside, whilst behind were Archie Brown and Ryan Santry.

The drivers’ ‘start your engines’ command was given and 38 engines burst into life, just barely heard over the vocal fans. The two warm-up laps began with a tension in the air and, when the green flag dropped, Shevill Junior made the better of the starts to lead Compton Sage and Brown, but within a couple of laps the race was suspended after Jermey van de Kratts was squeezed up the wall and his car stopped in the middle of the straight.

Mayes was sidelined with a puncture and when the track was clear Shevill Junior made a good start and opened up a slight gap but the race was again suspended after Diggy Smith and Ryan Santry tangled.

No sooner had it restarted than it was stopped after Jack Grandon was spun out. On the restart Shevill Junior came under pressure from Brown, but before he could challenge, Timmy Barnes was sent crashing into a marker tyre and the race was suspended once again. On the restart Shevill Junior again led, but in a couple of laps it was suspended again, this time after Ian McLaughlin was clipped, spun, hit a tyre and rolled.

Shevill Junior again led, but couldn't shake off Brown, but with four to go Graeme Shevill was sent spinning, with his bumper being ripped off in the process.

The last few laps were unbelievable with Shevill Junior trying to shake off Brown, but to no avail. The last bend was dramatic with Brown making his bid and when he did so, sent Shevill Junior up the wall. Brown nipped inside but Shevill Junior had punctured a tyre and limped home in second with Barry Russell third.

Archie was up on the car roof as soon as he pulled into the winner’s circle and then received a big hug from his father with all drivers receiving their trophies to a rousing reception.

The first consolation was halted when Holly Glen and Derek Taylor bounced off the pit bend. Harry Darby won from Austen Freestone and Andrew Mathieson, and whilst Matty Stirling rolled, Kai Gilmour won from Watters and Gary Paterson.

The start to the meeting final was mayhem with cars being spun and with a four-car pile up on the main straight the race was suspended Warren Darby moved into the lead and on to win from Kai Gilmour and Shevill Junior.

The Formula II Scottish Championship attracted 28 cars and amongst them was the present holder, Gordon Moodie, whilst past winners Chris Burgoyne, Euan Millar and Ben Spence were also in attendance.

The cars raced in a two-thirds format with each driver racing twice. Ryan McGill went on to win the opening heat from Lewis Burgoyne and Gordon Moodie, with Josh Weare winning heat two from long-time leader Charlie Faichney and Tom Bennett, but early on Johnny Whittaker rolled after clashing with Gregor Turner and when McGill and Weare locked up, crashing into the wall with the latter rolling his car.

In the end, Steven Burgoyne won from Millar and Chris Burgoyne.

Faichney led the cars away for the Carlisle Windows and Doors sponsored Scottish Championship, but he was soon closed down by Paul Reid. Once the latter took the lead, he eased away but Millar had made a break and was soon closing in on Reid. During the closing stages Millar took the lead and on to win from Reid and Graeme Leckie.

On Sunday the ORCi Ministox drivers were competing for their Saline Motors National Championship and amongst the drivers at the track were six from the South West of England and one from Northern Ireland.

Jack Jones crashed heavily on the opening lap of heat one suspending the race. Later in the race, Bailey Millar spun and when he restarted was collected by Austin Farnell, who rolled spectacularly.

In the end, David Philp Jnr Jnr made a last bend challenge count when he got ahead of Rhys Kelly with Cody Bradford third. Kyle Rogerson dominated heat two going through for an easy win over Stuart Shevill Junior Junior, with Hamish Plenderleith third. The consolation heat was won by Austin Farnell from Shay Page and Mason Sealy.

The cars lined up in their points order for the National Championship with Philp Junior Junior making the better of the starts, although Rogerson slotted in behind. There were a couple of stoppages in quick succession, first when Cole Ford spun and then when Callum Doak did likewise but was collected by a couple of cars.

Philp Junior Junior led but Rogerson, whilst second, was now under pressure from Ethan Gemmell and a few others. A lap later he was spun as Kelly moved into second. Philp Junior Junior was now clear from Kelly, but on the last lap Bradford got the better of Gemmell to end up in third spot.

Ben McLellan won the Allcomers race, his first at the Racewall, from Millar and Bradford.

The Formula II drivers were racing for their Mac 100 trophy with Craig Wallace defending. However, their first race of the night was Saturday’s Grand National which was won by Moodie from McGill and Lewis Burgoyne. Moodie then won the opening heat and Lewis Burgoyne the second.

The Mac 100 trophy was stopped early on after Reid and Faichney clipped wheels resulting in both cars hitting the wall resulting in the latter rolling. McGill led on the restart but there was no stopping Moodie who carved his way through the field to win from Millar and McGill. The Grand National was won by Colin Stewart from Hogg and Wallace.

Whilst the Saloon numbers had been whittled down a bit Jack Grandon was on hand to defend the Raymond Gunn Tribute Trophy.

The action continued through from Saturday night with Warren Darby winning heat one and his brother Harry the second. A major shunt brought the consolation to a halt but thankfully all the drivers were alright.

The finish to the race was something else with Stevie Honeyman sending Aaron Totham crashing into the wall, but Totham went on to win from Logan Bruce and Mayes.

The final for the Raymond Gunn Tribute Trophy was unbelievable with three rollovers on the opening lap! Keegan Sampson and Luke Dorling on the pit bend and Freestone on the turnstile bend. Just on the re-start Cassie rolled his car.

After that in was Robertson who led but there was no stopping Brown who went on to win from Grandon and Hughes.

The Allcomers rounded off a great weekend of stock car racing with Taylor Whitford rolling his car. Russell went on to win from Brown and B. Glen.

This Saturday there are Scottish Championships for the Two Litre Bangers and the Prostock Basics, and they are joined on the grid by the Stock Rods and Classic Hot Rods, with the meeting starting at 6pm.