SCOTS endurance racers loved victories within the Center East as home-grown rally expertise confirmed their mettle in Fife final weekend.
Including to the build-up for the remainder of 2022, two thrilling racers – one a seasoned winner and the opposite a relative newcomer – have introduced their battle plans for the yr forward.
Getting issues off to a flying begin, skilled Scots racer Paul Di Resta helped guarantee his United Autosports staff dominated the second weekend of the 2022 Asian Le Mans Collection.
He and American teenager Josh Pierson scored a clear sweep of their LMP2 Oreca 07, topping the timing sheets in each session earlier than taking two pole positions, two race wins and scoring two quickest laps.
Regardless of incident-packed encounters, 16-year-old Josh stored his cool in Abu Dhabi in each the ultimate two contests of the four-race collection, increase a wholesome lead in every of them.
Though the staff weren't eligible for championship factors, 35-year-old Di Resta, from West Lothian, was stuffed with reward for the younger American after two emphatic victories.
And the pair will race collectively once more within the FIA World Endurance Championship/IMSA WeatherTech SportsCar Championship race weekend at Sebring, Florida, on March 17-19. The Scot stated: “Josh has performed an excellent job, he’s progressed the precise approach and hasn’t put a foot fallacious.
“For me, it was about familiarising myself with the LMP2 automobile once more after Le Mans final yr. The WEC Sebring spherical goes to be fairly powerful however I believe the entire staff feels a lot better ready after this.”
In the meantime, Motherwell’s Ian Loggie and his SPS Automotive Efficiency Mercedes-AMG GT3 team-mates had been topped ALMS GT Am champions after two second-place finishes adopted two wins in Dubai the week earlier than.
Midlothian’s Colin Noble and his Nielsen Racing Ligier JS P320 companion Tony Wells needed to accept fourth total within the LMP3 class after lacking out on any podium finishes in Abu Dhabi.
At dwelling, the Grant Building Rally at Fife’s Knockhill circuit proved to be a bruising and intently fought occasion in difficult circumstances.
Ultimately, Donnie Macdonald and Andrew Falconer received the 10-stage occasion, with an total time of 54 minutes and 49 seconds, of their Ford Fiesta Rally 2.
Shut behind of their Ford Escort Mk2 had been Kyle Adam and Steven Brown, finishing the levels in 55 minutes and 6 seconds. The third step of the rostrum went to Peugeot 206 crew Des Campbell and Craig Forsyth, who clocked a time of 55 minutes and 26 seconds.
However displaying how powerful the rally was, out of 38 crews who crossed the beginning line, there have been no fewer than 13 who failed to complete.
Trying forward, Dumfriesshire’s Ross Wylie has confirmed he'll defend his GT Cup GTO Championship title with co-driver Paul Bailey. Final season noticed the pair drive a lot of automobiles together with a Brabham, Ferrari and McLaren, every ready by SB Race Engineering.
However the plan for 2022 is to race the Brabham BT62 Competitors. The opening rounds get beneath approach on April 9-10 at Donington Park and 30-year-old Wylie stated: “I’m actually wanting ahead to racing the distinctive Brabham once more.
“Final yr was the Brabham’s first aggressive season so, not surprisingly, we encountered a number of teething points. However, hopefully, we have now put these to mattress and we are able to declare extra success for the enduring Brabham model.”
And Scots teenager Chloe Grant has been confirmed because the second driver to finish Knockhill-based Graham Brunton Racing’s all-female GB4 Championship line-up, with distinguished assist from Laser Instruments Racing.
The Perth 15-year-old has already loved a profitable profession in kart racing and final yr received the Junior Saloon Automotive Scholarship.
However the single-seater racing automobile GB4 Championship marks a giant step up for each Chloe and 20-year-old team-mate Logan Hannah, from East Kilbride, who's an skilled Components Ford racer.
Chloe stated: “My ambition has at all times been to maneuver from karting into single-seater racing, and now I’m taking up the brand new GB4 collection with Laser Instruments Racing — what a chance!
“GB4 is a really thrilling championship that may see aspiring drivers progress in single-seater racing and, with Laser Instruments Racing’s assist, I’m actually proud to be concerned on this new collection. And to be partnered with Logan – effectively that’s received to be the dream staff!”
The GB4 Championship begins at Snetterton on April 2-3 forward of becoming a member of the British GT and GB3 package deal, with occasions on the prestigious Silverstone, Manufacturers Hatch, Donington Park and Oulton Park circuits.
Karting star Oliver Stewart, 15, from Beauly, close to Inverness, can be making the leap into single-seater automobiles after sealing a deal within the F4 championship with Hitech GP.
He stated: “I’m overwhelmed by this chance – it’s an enormous step and a large studying curve however I'll give it all the things and benefit from this incredible likelihood I’ve been given by Hitech GP.”