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2025 Program
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2025 Reunion Report
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The Club met once again to enjoy our Reunion Dinner, returning to the New Lanark Mill Hotel in the village of New Lanark, a former 18th century cotton spinning mill village located on the banks of the Falls of Clyde.
The venue had proved very successful in 2024 and therefore we returned for 2025.
VSMA Chairman Chris Paton was pleased to welcome 76 members and guests to this our 11th reunion.
The day started in the early afternoon as there was work to do setting up for the AGM and also finalising the table plan for dinner.
As always there was a good mix of rallying and racing buffs and a few hill climb fans joining together for an excellent meal and several refreshments.
Our guest speaker this year was Barry Wood, describing himself as “an old car racer”.
Barry was born towards the end of WW2 in North London and lived for 23 years in the Hertfordshire town of Barnet (home to the famous garages of Gerry Marshall and John Britten). His first contact with motor sport was in the early sixties with the local Klaxon Motor Club where he was introduced to navigational road rallies, driving tests, circuit sprints and autocross and very much enjoyed their Sunday night meets in the local Cuffley pub.
In 1995 a chance walk past Scottish Motor Services in Glasgow’s Woodlands Road led to much more fun with classic cars. The purchase of a Red 1955 TR2 and a Green Morgan were the first of many, enabling Barry, his son Tony, Tony’s wife Niamh, her dad Eddie and a number of close friends to race classic cars throughout the UK, Europe and as far afield as Macau, achieving many podiums. Barry’s favourites include:-
Winning in 2002 the Spa 60 car, two-hour Gentlemen Drivers race in our 1959 Lister Jaguar
Winning in 2009 at Portimao the first Stirling Moss Throphy Race for 50’s Sports Cars in our 1959 Lister Jaguar.
Winning the 2011 RAC Woodcote Trophy for 50’s Sports Cars in our 1952 RGS Atalanta Jaguar.
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Barry had brought along a slide show of some of his extensive collection of exotic cars, some of which he still enjoys taking out on road trips..
Next we were treated to a quiz set by David Fotheringham which proved to be very tricky but was eventually won by “the mens” table.
The Andrew Cowan Achievement Award
We are very privileged at the VSMA to have been given the responsibility of being the custodians of the “Andrew Cowan Achievement Award” which was commissioned by Linda Cowan in memory of her late husband Andrew and his long and distinguished motor sport career.
The award is inspired by the picturesque Luskentyre Beach on the Isle of Harris, a favourite spot of Andrew’s where he loved to fish and relax away from the pressures of business.
The award this year was given to Billy Cater in recognition of the immense amount of work he does behind the scenes of several events.
Billy is currently Secretary of the Meeting at both Doune and Bo’ness, but this does not come close to describing his commitment to these two and also to Forrestburn Hillclimb.
Doune has 4 meetings a year, with many championships which include rounds of the British, Scottish plus 4 other championships and an Historic event.
Billy is there days before and after, living at the venue (been known to sleep in the loft above the paddock office!) to ensure their smooth running.
He thanks/blames Kenny Allen for getting him into the sport and says that he raised his head at the wrong time at a Lothian Club meeting and ended up on the committee! The Lothian Club has won the Hillclimb and Sprint Associations Award for Doune as the best organised Event of the Year on a number of occasions.
He lends equal enthusiasm to the Bo’ness Revival Meetings.
He is well known throughout the UK Hill Climbing family as he has, for years, travelled the country accompanying Scottish competitors who go south of the border, to support and assist their efforts.
He has never restricted himself to a rigid job description of any official post he has held over the years, but has become “Mr Fix It” for anyone competitor or official who needs help. He can direct you to fellow competitors who may have spares, welding and has even rescheduled runs to ensure everyone gets a chance to compete. Possibly everyone in Scottish Hill climbing has his phone number! (And many in England too!)
Click on the image below to view the Programme.
Tour
2026 Spring Run Report
VETERANS OF SCOTTISH MOTORSPORT SPRING RUN 2026.
Organised by Meg Sword & Mid Bruce.
Our Spring Run this year commenced with members congregating at the Moffat Woolen Mill with breakfast to set us on our way.
Route plans were dispensed and our first stop led us to Johnstons of Elgin in Hawick for a light lunch. There were a few purchases made prior to the onward journey to the White Swan at Alnwick. The weather was kind and provided us some beautiful scenery on the carefully planned route.
Once settled in our respective rooms members met for a welcome drink. Our Chairman, Chris, greeted everyone and gave a short resume of the planned activities ahead. It was a chance to chat and catch up with other members prior to dinner in the Olympic Suite, featuring original wood panelling, mirrors, and ceiling panels salvaged from RMS Olympic, sister ship to the Titanic. A very impressive place to eat.
Our first morning took us on a trip to Linda Cowan’s home where we had some light refreshments. We were joined by Louise Aitken Walker, Doug Niven, Malcolm Noble, Jonathon Lord and Marion Syer. Another opportunity to chat before leaving for Duns for an organised Private Viewing of the Jim Clark Motorsport Museum in Duns.
The museum is not normally open on a Wednesday but Doug Niven, Jim Clark’s cousin and a trustee of the museum, opened for the VSMA. Doug was involved in motor racing driving for the Border Reivers team, and won many championships in the U.K. driving saloons and grand touring cars. He gave an introduction with an insight from a family perspective to who Jim Clark the man actually was. Members then wandered around this excellent record of “Jim Clark, Motor Racing Driver”. Some of the cars that Jim drove were on display and there were also some fabulous models of others he’d driven. An opportunity to have a photo taken alongside him too! Some interesting interactive displays, not just for the kids!
The spectacular “Golden Helmet” along with the numerous other awards show what an amazing talent we lost. Many pictures adorn the walls to show his life and love of motorsport. This is a very impressive display with more yet to come as the trust continues to raise funds for the next phase of the museum. A very exciting prospect and hopefully another visit in the future.
After our enthralling visit we returned to Linda’s for a light lunch and a chance to see again Andrew’s wonderful car collection. A truly exhilarating collection. Linda gave us a very interesting introduction of the cars including both Andrew and her career in motorsport over the years. Very impressive. No photography is allowed of the car collection, so alas no pictures.
The Jim Clark Trophy which Andrew had been awarded in 1977, Linda presented to Doug for the Museum. A magnificent gesture and we look forward to seeing it on display there.
We returned to the hotel for dinner which was followed by an entertaining music quiz rounding off this most enjoyable day. Our quiz master Chairman Chris was assisted by his wife, Mary. Teams were very competitive but the victors were team Oversized; Tony Fleming, Nancy Crichton, Charlie Young, Ian & Margaret Smillie.
For those who didn’t do so well, a competition to fly their answer sheets/aeroplane through the decorative ceiling light! It seemed a fitting end to a successful day.
Our second day was left for all to explore the area at their leisure. Meg supplied a list of what was available in the area.
Ian and Wilma Marwick, who are normally on the run, met everyone at the hotel for coffee. They accompanied those visiting Lindisfarne for the afternoon before travelling back home. Lovely to see them and catch up, although brief.
For our final evenings dinner Linda Cowan and Marion Syer joined us. It was a perfect ending to another very successful Spring Run.
Thanks go to our organisers Mid and Meg, well done again.
Report and pictures by Margaret Smillie.
Other Events
2026 Knockhill
Champions Event at Knockhill – Sunday 17th May
Knockhill Racing Circuit have very kindly extended an invitation to all VSMA members and their partners to attend the Champions Event on Sunday 17th May free of charge.
All VSMA members will be invited to use the Board Room and viewing balcony and enjoy complimentary tea /coffee / soft drinks all day.
The event will be a KMSC / SMRC race meeting with celebration elements, a parade of champions and track sessions for those who have competition cars from early decades of Knockhill.
Cars and drivers must comply with current MUK requirements and pass scrutineering etc.
The VSMA promotional stand will be there and we hope members new and old will pay us a visit.
Instructions on how to receive your electronic pass for the day will be circulated by email as soon as we have the details.
See the Knockhill website for full details at: KNOCKHILL
Tour
2026 Autumn Run
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Announcement.
2026 Autumn Run
The 2025 Autumn Run was cancelled due to the arrival of storm Amy and we have therefore brought the date forward to 20th September for the running of the 2026 Autumn Run.
The Entry list for this year’s Run is now open.
This year’s Autumn Run will start from the Route 760 Cafe in Lochwinnoch [what3words ///divisible.helping.losses] and will finish at the Whitelee Windfarm Visitor Centre near Eaglesham [ what3words ///piles.afraid.noted]
Hopefully the weather will be somewhat better than the deluge which resulted in year’s cancellation.
Entry remains the same as last year, and Entrants from last year’s cancelled event are FoC!
The planned route should keep you amused and there will be the opportunity to go on a bus tour of the windfarm site for a mere £4/head, or even less, (£3 if you qualify for a bus pass)!
A Tulip style road book will be provided.
Breakfast will be available at the start, and snacks in the cafe at the finish.
To enter,
Go to https://webcollect.org.uk/vsma
“Sign In”
In “Upcoming VSMA Events” click on “Book Places” beside “Autumn Run”
Select “Number of Tickets”
“Add to Basket”
“Checkout”
Check your a/c details
“Save and Proceed”
Fill in Entry Form
“Save”
Choose “Pay by” method and “Place Order”
Easy Peasy
Anyone struggling should phone David Fotheringham (07775862620) or email (dbfotheringham@madasafish.com)
Reunions
2026 Reunion Dinner
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VSMA Reunion Dinner 2026
The reunion dinner this year will be held in the New Lanark Mill Hotel on Friday 13th November 2026, 7.00 – 7.30pm.
The cost of the event will be £40pp for members & their spouses and £50pp for non-members.
Members can book their places by clicking this link to WEBCOLLECT.
Non-members can download the following form and send the completed form by email to Nancy Crichton at vsmasec@yahoo.com or by post to: 42 Turnberry Gardens, Cumbernauld, G68 0AZ.
Members can also use the downloaded form if they wish.
2026 Reunion Dinner Application Form
The cost of the accommodation in the hotel is as follows:
Single occupancy room – £105
Double occupancy room (Standard) – £140
Double occupancy room (Deluxe) – £180
The accommodation can only be booked through the Hotel. The phone number: 01555 667 200.
Please inform them you are attending the VSMA event.
There are a limited number of rooms in the Hotel, so if you are sure you want to attend, please contact the Hotel sooner than later as in a few weeks’ time, we will open the event to non-members.
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2026 AGM
VSMA AGM 2026
The 2026 AGM will be held on Friday 13th November prior to the Reunion Dinner.
The meeting will be held in the Cora Linn Suite, New Lanark Mill Hotel, ML11 9DB.
Arrival 5.00pm, meeting 5.30pm
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2026 Spring Run
Announcement.
Spring Run 2026. Tuesday 21st April – Friday 24th April 2026.
This is a “last call” for those who have not yet booked for the Spring Run 2026. Almost all rooms in the hotel are already booked.
Standard Double room: £166 DBB per night and Standard Single room: £128 DBB per night.
If you are interested please contact the Hotel direct to book your room Tel: 01665 602109.
The start of the run will be at the Moffat Woolen Mill and from there we will head down to the White Swan Hotel in Alnwick, Northumberland where we will be based for three nights.
We will visit Linda Cowan for a private viewing of the Andrew Cowan rally car collection and a visit to the Jim Clark museum in Duns is also planned.
A trip to Lindisfarne, also known as Holy Island is also planned.
Please let Mid Bruce know of your booking Tel: 07708 594468