April 2010
The 'Colin McRae Vision' gave further support to the Yorkhill Children's Hospital recently, when they sponsored the catering and entered 2 teams for the annual Yorkhill Children's Foundation Go-Kart Grand Prix.
The adrenalin fuelled event took the form of a 2 hour endurance race at the Scotkart indoor karting arena in Cambuslang.
A total of 13 teams, comprising 4 drivers per team, were entered, each having undertaken to raise as much sponsorship funds for Yorkhill as possible.
The good natured banter as the teams were given their safety briefing and issued with helmets and overalls soon changed as the competitive juices started to flow and the red mist descended as the practice session drew to a close.
We were especially pleased to have 5 time British Rally Champion and Vision Trustee ? Jim McRae, on hand to offer the benefit of his experience and advice to the Vision teams.
The grid positions were determined by the amount of sponsorship raised and the 'Vision 1' team were both surprised and delighted to find that they had raised the most of any of the teams present (£2,100) and were to be on pole position.
Our No1 team was captained by one of Colin's best friends - ex Suzuki British Superbike rider John Crawford (or JC as he is better known in the motorsport world). He had some task on his hands trying to keep some form of order and control over his young charges! These consisted of the 3 recipients to date of the Scottish Rally Championship - Colin McRae 'if in doubt----flat out' award ? namely Stevie Brown, David Bogie and David Wilson.
JC decided to give the honour of lead off driver to David Bogie and he didn't disappoint ? utilising the clear track to establish an early lead for the team.
Lapping at maximum speed is extremely tiring and the tactics were to change drivers at regular intervals and for each driver to complete 2 x 15 minute sessions during the race.
All was going smoothly and according to plan with number 2 driver Stevie Brown consolidating and extending the lead, however things were about to get interesting once David Wilson took over for his first stint!
Seemingly any form of courtesy or road manners are not a necessary requirement north of
The penalty lost the team the equivalent of a whole lap and although they retained the lead, the second placed team, from financial services company Morgan Stanley, were now breathing down their necks.
JC however used all his race experience to stay cool under the pressure and re-establish a buffer for the team.
As the race entered the second hour ? it was apparent that fitness levels would play a part and we would see if our youngsters had been putting sufficient effort into their training programmes?
Driving was obviously becoming more ragged and David Bogie's second stint was cut short on the call of the team captain after he too received a warning for 'carving up' the opposition!!
Stevie completed his second stint without incident and I believe was the only one of our drivers who actually avoided meeting with the displeasure of the race officials!
David Wilson then set out to compensate for his earlier misdemeanour, promising the team that he would behave this time around ? what were the chances? Once again driving without the calming influence and directional input of a co-driver were to be beyond David and the dreaded 'Black Flag' was soon in evidence again!!
To say that David disagreed with the decision would be a bit of an understatement ? never seen so much steam coming out from under a helmet before!!
All this action led to the race at the front becoming very close once again, with the lead chopped down to only a handful of seconds as we entered the final half hour of the race.
JC seemed to be extending the lead again, but a final warning, when he overtook another kart under a yellow flag, led to concerns that victory could be lost.
JC therefore decided to come in before he landed in more trouble and left it to David Bogie to see the team home for a well deserved victory.
The 'Vision 2' team which included part time 'Vision' helpers Jo Roy and Craig Dickson, as well as Craig's dad Graham and his friend David MacLellan, started off from seventh place on the grid, but were determined to try and get themselves up into a podium position by the end of the race.
Consistently fast laps saw them gradually move up through the field and at the last driver changeover and with only 15 mins left, they were tantalisingly close in fourth position overall.
A quick changeover and a sterling final stint by Craig saw a delighted 'Vision 2' team grab third overall and join their more illustrious teammates on the podium.
All in all it was a great fun evening and resulted in around £12,000 being raised for this very worthwhile and important cause.
I feel sure the 'Vision' will be back next year to help raise even greater funds and of course to protect our 'Champions' title.
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