Record entry for Hislop raceposted in MSPOR15 | 09 | 2010
EAST FORTUNE will hold its biggest race meeting of the year this weekend when almost 200 motorcycle racers flock to the track. In addition to three rounds of the Scottish Championship, the 1.5-mile circuit hosts its annual Steve Hislop Trophy Race on Sunday.
"We've attracted the biggest entry we've ever had for the weekend," Dave Paton, chairman of the Melville Motor Club which organises the event, explained. "And the Steve Hislop Trophy is the race every ultimately hopes to win."
Run in memory of the former British Superbike champion who was tragically killed in a helicopter crash, the Steve Hislop Trophy is contested by the 36 riders who set the fastest times over the weekend.
"It's a brilliant race and, at 20 laps, is twice as long as the rounds of Scottish Championship," Paton continued, "so it's a real endurance test. And the winner gets the coveted engraved crystal trophy."
Torquil Patterson is the man the riders know they have to beat, but the defending champion faces stiff competition from Bruce Birnie (Arbroath), David Paton jnr (Loanhead) and Michael Robertson (Danderhall).
Robertson will also be hoping to extend his narrow 37-point lead over Paton jnr in the 1000cc Premier Class. Inverness rider Adrian Clark is just three points further adrift in third.
This weekend's programme — which will see the club, run entirely by volunteers, award over £8000 in prizemoney — is further boosted by the fact it encompasses the round of the Scottish Championship which was cancelled in July when 50mph winds caused the event to be stopped.
"Normally we have two rounds of the Scottish Championship over the weekend," Paton explained, "but this weekend we have two rounds on Saturday, plus a third on Sunday, so we're in for a very busy and hectic time."
And just for good measure, a further attraction is the Formula Sidecar Racing Association Formula 350, Post Classic Sidecars Championships and the Jim Silver Sidecar Race.
The action starts on both days at 9am, with entry £10 for adults; accompanied under 16’s and pensioners enjoy free access.
Jim McGill