Cumming targets return to action in next SMRC meeting after frightening crash

Scottish Saloon and Sportscars driver Ron Cumming is planning to be back behind the wheel at the next Scottish Motor Racing Club meeting, despite a frightening 145mph crash at Knockhill recently.

Nemesis kit car driver Cumming clipped the BMW Z3 of Scott Duthie when attempting an overtake on the approach to the hairpin – which was the first corner with the circuit being run in reverse formation – in the second race on May 6. This sent Cumming onto the grass, with his car rolling multiple times before coming to a rest upside down in the gravel at the hairpin. He was taken to hospital but escaped serious injury.

“It was just a racing incident,” said Cumming. “I just happened to catch him when I was travelling at 145mph, two inches to the side and it would’ve kept me out of trouble!

“Knockhill did a fabulous job – everyone was in the right positions and an ambulance took me to hospital because they were worried about concussion.

“I’ve got to thank the car’s designer Paul Gibson – there was nothing deformed in the [structure of the] car at all. It looked exciting for the spectators but the safety cell of the Nemesis is pretty good. I’m working on the car now and hopefully I will be out in the next meeting [on July 1].”

Cumming struggled to get away at the start, leaving him to fight his back.

“I had an electrical problem and I think the wiring failed in the relay and the fuel pump shut down,” he added. “I probably should’ve been shown a bit more discretion and waited to get through to the front.”