Stock car kid Bobby holds no fear
Young Fauldhouse stock car racer Bobby Brandon has shown he was more than ready for the step up from Micro F2 to Ministox formula following an impressive season.
Despite being proficient in the Micro F2s, moving to the Ministox is a big ask for an 11-year-old but Bobby has taken it in his stride.
The differences in the two disciplines are massive. First of all, he is now racing clockwise instead of anti- clockwise, while the engine size has massively increased as well as now having to change gears when racing which can prove to be a daunting task.
Still, he was excited to move to the Ministox where he has a chance to compete in championship events.
Bobby has nicknamed his car “Frankenstein” due to all the dents on it but there is a new car sitting in the garage for next season.
His first few outings were in practice sessions and he was using a car that had been raced before.
During his practice outings, it was a case of getting used to changing gear and how the car performed.
It was a tough task going up against the more experienced and faster drivers
with Ministox racers able to compete until they turn 16.
He showed he wasn’t fazed though, and he steadily progressed and was gaining confidence at each meeting before he unfortunately struck a series of handling and mechanical problems with it taking a few races to figure out.
He participated in the behind closed doors meetings at the Cowdenbeath Racewall during the coronavirus-hit season.
There were regularly fields of 20 cars and Bobby impressed and continually improved as he started picking up some top-10 finishes.
At the last of the Racewall meetings, he held a good line and showed a great turn of speed as he went on to pick up a seventh place finish in the final and then a ninth in the Allcomers.
A delighted Bobby said: “I struggled a bit at the start with changing gears but I am quite happy now.
“It is much faster in the Minis and it took me a while to get used to added speed. My dad got me a car that had raced before so that I could get used to.
“I am hoping to start next season with my new car and if we can get it to handle quickly then we plan to race at a few other tracks but I will keep Frankenstein as a back up just in case it’s needed.”