Racing towards stock car dream
Inchture star has her sights set on world finals
Many drivers would be put off after breaking their back and being involved in numerous high-speed crashes.
But that is certainly not the case for Inchture ace Holly Glen whose love for stock car racing sees her return every year with a gritty determination and lofty ambitions.
Her drive to reach the top is perhaps greater than ever, even despite the current season being on ice due to the unprecedented coronavirus outbreak.
When the green light is given to return to action at Cowdenbeath Racewall - and across the country Holly will be prepared to reach even higher heights.
Her sights are firmly set on qualifying for the two-litre saloon world final having agonisingly missed out last year.
“I’d love to get in that world final and it’s so close just now,” Holly explained. “The top 25 make it straight in and I was close last year.
“I was one place away and that was soul-destroying. I’m sitting 28th in the world ranking points but this year looks like it will be null and void.
“But I’ll be carrying on for next season. I still see myself racing for years yet.”
Holly (34) was introduced to the world of stock car racing at a young age and, by 11, was whizzing around the track with a smile on her face.
Her younger brother Barry is also a regular on the track and that always helps to keep the competitive juices flowing.
“My mum and dad raced bangers before I was even thought about,” said Holly. “At 11 I raced Ministox through until I was 16. I had a really successful time.
“I’ve had loads of highlights and winning a race in the minis was a big thing when I first started.
“I then went into Formula II’s and raced them for 16 years. But two years ago I made the decision to race two-litre saloons, which my wee brother also races.
“I’ve never looked back and I should have moved over to them years ago. It’s a great get-together.
“It has always been competitive, not just between me and my brother.
“Everyone is always trying to be that one step ahead on the track.”
The sport does not come without danger and Holly completely understands that.
“I broke my back in May and it was just a freak accident, hitting the wall backwards,” she explained to the PA.
“I don’t really see it as a big deal but everyone else does.
“I just carried on and was back racing in the July. There is danger.
“But there is danger to crossing a road, isn’t there?
“We wear all the safety gear. We have the helmets and fireproof overalls. Sometimes accidents just happen from time to time.
“At the end of the season I actually had a really bad crash and my car was totally written off.
“I got collected from my roof and walked away totally fine.
“It was definitely one of the hardest hits I’ve ever had. But I jumped back in my brother’s car the next weekend and I didn’t even think about it. It didn’t faze me.”
Holly, who works on her own car at the family garage in Dundee, has become used to being the only female racing a two-litre saloon at the Racewall.
“I like to be treated the same as everyone else at the stock racing,” she said. “It would be great to see more females.
“But stock car racing is quite hard to come into. I personally couldn’t think of anything better. I enjoy setting the car up in the garage and doing all of the work.
“We’re re-doing my wee brother’s car because he’s a tad behind. Mine is sitting in the garage ready to go.
“It’s the matter of a flick of a button and I’d be away. But it’s better to be safe than sorry.”
Turning out to race week in, week out does come at a cost. But Holly is always willing to pay that price for the sheer joy she gets from stepping into the driver’s seat.
“Last year was a really good standard and there was always a good turnout of saloons, but people don’t realise what it takes just to get racing on a Saturday night,” she said.
“The fuel for the vans is £40 and the fuel for the stock car is £30. You know you’ve been away racing in England at the weekend when you’re eating Asda special beans!
“Sometimes you need to make sacrifices. But there is good banter with the stock car racing.
“It’s a laugh and there is no pressure. It’s all just fun.
“I can see myself still trying to get in a saloon when I’m 60.”
I broke my back in May and it was just a freak accident, hitting the wall backwards. I don’t really see it as a big deal...