Of we go in the time machine to another Scottish World Final. The year, was the year of home winner.
It was also the time that celebrities went in the jungle for the first time.
The Sugababes (in one of their many lineups) were Number 1 with Round Round. Quite apt as it was the World Final. Our stock car Tardis, brings us to 2002, the last time the legendary Racewall held it.
2002 saw many things. Speak was long gone and he'd even got himself a gold roof in the Tractors. Kitson took up his mantle with back to back title wins, and the Yorkshireman was aiming for 3 in a row.
With both semis being held on the same day for the first time, Buxton held them and it was Kitson and Goldin who took them both. Goldin looked ready to take a title, having the silver roof in his possession. He had the black and gold Higman at his disposal, and much fancied James Thackra (324) was a non starter due to a broken hand.... Scottish hopes laid with the next generation, Gordon Moodie (then 79), Stuart Gilchrist (477) and youngster Chris Burgoyne (647). Mike James (717) led the westcountry charge, moving up to the 2nd row following Thackra's withdrawl, with regular stagers Luscombe, Batten and Farrell coming form the west.
After pleasantries and pedants were exchanged, including Thackra as "Guest of Honour". It was go time. Commentator Stephen Madman McDiarmid gave those immortal words and a clean start for the front runners was this years call. However, further back the grid Richard James (then 817) clobbered the wall with Bryan Forrest (309) for company.
With the grid reformed, sans those drivers, it was go time again. Goldin got closer to the 732 back bumper, but behind him, another pile up, including Farrell, Batten, Irishman Jeff Minnish and Graham Kelly brought out another set of reds. It was becoming into a war of attrition.
3rd time lucky, you might think, but another pile up laps later saw the end of Bryn Tootell and Dutchman Toon Schut....
So with restart 4 now on the cards, 22 cars were left. Kitson got away. Both Ian Thompson Jnr (901) and Burgyone went firing in on James and Goldin. Thompson overcooked one hit and found himself of the racing line, allowing Sworder, Luscombe and Moodie past. Moodie over took the 152 machine.
Kitson now had a half a straight gap on the rest, with Burgoyne and James in third. Sworder lunged at Moodie, which almost meant curtains for the Scot as the cars clashed and saw Moodie's aerofoil, half scalped in the process. This hindered their progress.
Halfway and Kitson still lead from Burgoyne and James, with Goldin in 4th and the rapidly charging Gilchrist from the back was now in 5th. A pile up between backmarkers Mike Marr (461) and Steve Green (15) saw the leaders left in a quandry. Kitson took the high road and Burgoyne the low road, and it was Burgoyne that emerged in the lead to raptures from the stands. However, it was shortlived as 2 more cars joined the pile up and the yellows were brought out with 10 laps remaining.
Burgoyne led them away, with the buffer of Manxman Mike Booth (IOM1) behind him before Kitson. However, a lap later, Booth came to a stop, bringing the yellows out again. Gilchrist was now on a charge. With 8 to go, Kitson's race was over, as the 732 ground to halt, with mechanical problems. Burgoyne's lead was a full straight over Gilchrist, who was now second. Jamesy's car expired with one to go, which meant Goldin inherited 3rd.
As the 647 entered the final bend, the entire grandstand erupted in a wall of noise, to greet a new Scottish World champion. Stuart Gilchrist (477) moved up to 2nd in what was the driver of the day from the very back. Goldin recovered to 3rd, his time was to come the following year. Tears flowed on the track with father Ernie and all in situ came and congratulated the new champ.
Following in the footsteps of father Ernie, and Uncle Harry, as a wearer of the Gold Roof, Chris turned up the following day with a Gold Roof, as "uncle Harry had some in the garage so he thought we'll just spray it"
Chris Burgoyne won the title at the tender age of 18 years. Too much too soon, perhaps, as a period of disillusionment came pretty soon after. But as last year proved, he still is one of the big title contenders and certainly this year is probably Scotland's biggest opportunity to reclaim the gold. And don't forget, he was leading until the last couple of yards last year.
FULL RESULT
Chris Burgoyne (647)
Stuart Gilchrist (477)
Barry Goldin (401)
Gordon Moodie (79)
Mick Sworder (152)
Ian Thompson Jnr (NI901)
Dave Luscombe (642)
Mark Helliwell (170)
Graham Kelly (721)
Mike Marr (461)
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