Autotest

2023 Andy Wilson Memorial Autotest

After the postponement of the 750MC event, the Andy Wilson Memorial Autotest run by Glenrothes Motor Sport Club was the first round of the 2023 RALLYSCORE Scottish Autotest Championship. The event was held at Knockhill Racing Circuit on Sunday 9 April – there were nine entries for the Autotest and five for the Production Car Autotest.

Although there was a lower entry than in previous years, there was still a good quality of entrants, there were 3 flowing but technical tests which they all seemed to enjoy. It was encouraging to see some Juniors competing and we also had 5 double entered father / son combinations.

James Morrison opened up an early lead in his recently rebuilt Mini Special, which he extended to win by 40 seconds. The Micra Special of Charlie Brown expired in the pits with fuel pump issues, he completed the rest of the vent using the GMSC club Ka.

The battle of the MX5s was very close all day and Oly McCollum emerged the winner after a very impressive drive, Martin Gillespie narrowly beat his dad after Ronnie hit a pylon. Gary Clark did not have the best of days suffering with tyre problems.

The Metro of Jim / James Wilson developed a gearbox problem and to finish the event they had to stop it jumping out of gear by jamming the gearstick against their leg. Ian Forgan entered his first Autotest since last year and had a great time in his Mini 1000.

The PCA was won by Sam Hunter closely followed by his son Lauchlan, Michael Babb competing in his first ever Autotest did well to beat his son Thomas.

This was the 21st year we have been supporting the British Heart Foundation and this year the BHF had a major presence at the event, including a CPR demonstration. This year between the event, donations and collections, £731.63 has been raised for the charity.


Results

Autotest

1stJames MorrisonMini Special7.06.0
2ndOly McCollumMazda MX57.46.5
3rdMartin GillespieMazda MX57.53.2
4thCharlie BrownMicra / Ka7.56.9
5thRonnie GillespieMazda MX57.58.7
6thJames WilsonMetro7.59.6
7thGary ClarkMazda MX58.04.6
8thJim WilsonMetro8.06.3
9thIan ForganMini8.43.8

PCA

1stSam HunterToyota Yaris6.41.6
2ndLauchlan HunterToyota Yaris7.07.5
3rdMichael BabbRenault Clio7.19.6
4thThomas BabbRenault Clio8.40.5

About the author

Avatar photo

Bill Creevy

Bill is our coordinator for the Scottish Autotest Championship and the Scottish Single Venue Rally Championship.

He has been involved in motorsport for approximately 50 years and is one of the founder members of Glenrothes Motor Sport Club. He has competed in Autotests, Autocross, Rallycross, Navigational Rallies, Stage Rallies and Tarmac Rallies, and since retiring from competition due to a back injury he has been involved as a marshal, rally organiser and event official.

Bill is a member of the Motorsport UK Autotest Committee.

bill.creevy@motorsport.scot