Driving force strong for talented racers Baptie and Bonthrone on track for further success
It proved to be another productive Scottish Motor Racing Club season for Perth’s Alastair Baptie.
And now the determined classics racer is looking to broaden his horizons and take his talents south of the border more regularly next year.
The 49-year-old is reflecting on a Scottish Classic Sports and Saloons Championship success in the biggest engine class following the recent curtain-closer at Knockhill.
Baptie, who won the overall championship in 2017 and 2018, switched cars this year and enjoyed his time racing a 400 horse-power MGB GT V8.
“We moved from the nimble Fiat X1/9, which surprised all the regulars,” Baptie said. “For 2019 we went from the smallest to the biggest engine class to see that it wasn’t just a fluke previously.
“This season, with an MGB, we did quite well and managed to win 12 out of 15 races, outright.
“One defeat was due to suspension failure, one was after being pushed off the track at 130mph and the other I was defeated fair and square in the rain but only after starting from the back of the grid.
“It was basically a season of testing ahead for the new car. But we did manage to gain the overall classics lap record in the process.
“There’s another MGB now getting built for 2020. We’re trying to make it as efficient as possible to make sure that it’s strong, safe and reliable.
“We have confidence now in a new car and the plan is to take part in some bigger events in England and Europe.
“We’ve been invited to a couple of races abroad, one at Spa, in Belgium where Formula One is held, another in Dijon, France. We have also just been asked if we could attend a race at Classic Le Mans.
“I’m looking forward to that and to learn some new tracks, as we will be very much ‘the minnows’ in these much bigger grids.
“Going down south will help spread the word for any sponsors and I’m happy to go wherever anyone requires coverage.”
Those main sponsors, Binn Group, Morris Leslie Auctions and Instant Image, remain vitally important.
“I couldn’t do it without these racing partners,” Baptie admitted. “Morris and Gregor Leslie, and Allan MacGregor of Binn Group, have been really supportive for the past three seasons.
“Classics racing seems to generate a greater appeal to a wider variety of people because the nostalgia kicks in.”
Also enjoying a memorable Scottish Motor Racing Club campaign was Ian Bonthrone, who competed in the Celtic Speed Scottish Mini Cooper Cup.
The Perth racer scooped the Newcomers Cup and is now hopeful of having a bash at the main championship title next season.
“It was my first year of ever doing the minis and it was Mark Geraghty - we sponsored his car - who got me into it,” Bonthrone explained.
“I gave it a bash and it’s been brilliant fun. I didn’t really expect to win the Newcomers Cup, considering I had four DNFs throughout the year.
“I had an M3 before which was a lot faster, but it wasn’t anywhere near as much of a buzz. You don’t have the close racing like the mini.
“I’ll be doing the minis again next season and will have a crack at the main championship. You never know what could happen.”