THE weather was dry as the Cowdenbeath Racewall returned after a week’s break with the third round of the Saloon National Series points event, writes our Racewall reporter Jim Turner.

In practice, Brant West - who was in Stewart Paterson’s Stock Rod - had a wheel bearing fail but, amazingly, they had the car ready for the start of the meeting!

Amongst those racing was the present leader of the series, Stuart Shevill Jnr, while Alfie Aldous was only a couple of points adrift.

Other visitors were Ryan Santry, Bradley Compton-Sage, Joey Reynolds and Dom Davies, joined by Scottish drivers, Barry Russell and Ross Watters.

It was Saloon racing at its best: high speed, plenty of bumper use and cars bouncing off the wall. 

There were 29 Saloon cars in action which meant a double points scoring final. 

Tam Rutherford Jnr was using Alisdair Smith's car, while Euan Mathieson was in his brother Andrew’s car, and Michael Mitchell was having a run in his brother, Rian’s, car. Still, there were a few of the regular drivers missing from the ranks.

Cammy Deans was the initial heat one leader from Michael Mitchell, but they were soon joined by Tam Rutherford Jnr. Euan Mathieson and Jordan Cassie spun in separate incidents but when Raymond Dick's car stopped, blocking the back straight, the race was suspended. 

The field lined up behind Deans, who had Gemma Russell on his back bumper. Just a few laps later, however, Ryan Santry spun, followed by Derek Duff on the next lap and with his car not running, the race was suspended.

Deans was still the leader but now he had Bradley Compton-Sage on his boot as the race restarted and it didn't take long for Compton Sage to steal the lead. The race finished with Compton-Sage in first, Stuart Shevill Jnr in second and David Hughs bringing it home in third.

Deans was the early heat two leader from Mitchell, while Compton-Sage hit a problem and retired. Eck Cunningham moved into second ahead of Mitchell as the race progressed at a frantic pace.

Gemma Russell got ahead of Holly Glen into fourth while G. Russell was sent spinning out of the race. Deans was still clear of the pack but it was now Jordan Cassie who moved into second, running ahead of Cunningham. 

Having made their way from the back of the field, Shevill Jnr and Watters were now in the top five but there was to be no stopping Deans, he went through to win and was still clear of Cassie with Shevill Jnr snatching third.

Deans made a good start to lead the final, getting ahead of the other white graders right away. Cunningham was in second on lap three but when Cassie was bounced off the wall and needed assistance the race was suspended.

Gary Paterson had spun but he restarted as Deans headed the restart from G. Russell, she was sent wide as Kai Gilmour moved into second, just ahead of Compton-Sage. Glen was sent spinning on the pit bend and retired whilst Shevill Jnr was closing in on those ahead.

As the laps dwindled, Shevill Jnr got ahead of Compton-Sage then Gilmour and began to reel in Deans. Dom Davies then crashed into a marker tyre on the back straight suspending the race.

Deans’ time in the lead was short-lived as Shevill Jnr and a group of cars relegated him down the order as the race restarted.  Barry Russell was sent spinning on the pit bend out of fifth place but restarted down the order collecting Andy Ainslie as he did so.

Up front  Shevill Jnr had to fend off a spirited challenge from Gilmour to win with Joey Reynolds third.

Deans was in the lead when the Allcomers started but soon had Rutherford Jnr challenging. Just after the lead changed hands the race was suspended after G. Russell was spun leaving her car stranded on the turnstile bend.

Rutherford Jnr had Deans in close order when the race restarted and whilst Santry retired Cassie was making up ground. Towards the end of the race, Cassie caught Rutherford Jnr and then moved ahead and a couple of laps later Shevill Jnr was in second spot. Cassie then reeled off the remaining laps to win from Shevill Jnr and Rutherford Jnr.

Cammy Doak made his first Stock Rod appearance with his roof painted gold to signify his World Championship success. The drivers’ next outing is their Scottish Championship so they were taking the opportunity to make sure their cars were set up to their liking.

It was a depleted field of cars that appeared and whilst Keiran McKinnon led for a few laps it was Michael Bethune who went through to win from Doak and Bailey McKinnon. 

K. McKinnon was the early heat two leader but soon lost out to Paul Prentice. Bethune made a good start and was soon reeling in those ahead of him, although he had Doak and Dawson in close order. Bethune finally caught and overtook Prentice before going on to win from Doak and Dawson.

Wedderburn led the field away when the final. started but soon had B. McKinnon in close order. At the tail of the field Dawson was running ahead of Doak and Dawson. Soon the five cars were together and the fans were treated to some close and exciting eating. Bethune went around the outside of the group to win from Doak and B. McKinnon.

The Prostock Basic drivers were having their last outing of the season and there was a good turnout of cars including Martin Duncan in his new car whilst Gail Paton was using James’s car.

Martin Duncan led the field away but soon had Scott Turner Jnr in close order. As the race progressed the leaders were soon joined by others and towards the end, six cars were dicing for the win.

Callum Rennie took to the outside line and snatched victory on the run up to the flag winning from Duncan and Turner Jnr. Whilst Duncan led over the first quarter of the race, he lost out to Turner Jnr who went on to win. Duncan held on to second with John Paton third.

Duncan led Stewart off the line when the final started but towards the end of the race lost out to Turner Jnr. Boyle the new track points champion and Hilditch clashed as Turner Jnr went on to win from Duncan and Paton.

The first three in the Micro F2 'Stars of the Future' Trophy race. (Image: Supplied)

The youngsters in their Micro F2s were, as usual, in good form. Regan Richards was the early leader but halfway through the heat Oakley Grief caught and passed him to win. Richards held onto the second spot with Corey Mathers a close third.

Richards was again the early leader but it was Jaxson Watters who burst through into the lead and on to win. Richards held on to second with Mathers third.

The final saw Richards go straight into the lead and quickly opened up a big lead. Watters appeared in second but soon had Mathers, Grief and Evie McLellan for company.

During the closing stages, Grief and Watters tangled leaving Richards to win the Stars of the Future Trophy, sponsored by Griefy Race Preparations, from Mathers and McLellan who was also the driver of the day.

This Saturday the Formula II drivers return along with the Saloons, Ministox and Micro F2s, with the usual 6pm start.