Our intention to post Memories from Members Helpers and Associates past and present which is the first thing that comes to mind when they think of K.D.M.C. that makes them smile or ponder when they recall it.

If you have any short memories (200 to 300 words) please let the club know through secretarykdmc@hotmail.co.uk and you may find yourself as a named contributor in future postings

​​Kirkcaldy & DistricT Motor Club INCORPORATING KDMC MOTORCYCLE CLUB

Ewan Glasgow popping up to see us mid race.

Our meeting in September 1984 at Knockhill saw a few things which differed from the normal meeting, it featured the Cosworth Norton being ridden by the Late Great Jack Gow.

This machine was hailed as Britain’s answer to the Italian and Japanese onslaught and had been raced in the British Championship by Peter Williams and Dave Croxford, but never achieved the potential expected of it.

But “Visitor of the meeting” has to go to Ewan Glasgow. The sidecar race was being videoed down at the Hairpin and as the camera operator concentrated on the leaders (sweeping through the corner) he missed Ewan of track excursion and the fact that he was heading straight towards the banking where he stood.

Once made aware by the Marshalls shouts, he instinctively stepping back from the outfit heading up the bottom of the banking towards him, and stopped recording.

Fortunately, both now safe they watched the end of the race they discussing how Ewan had missed being captured on film, for the K.D.M.C. Film Archives in what would have been, his best potential racing sequence recorded that day.

Memories Item 6:- Not Just a Racing Club

Whilst competition has always been at the Heart of the Club organising and competing in, Sand Racing, Scrambles, Trials, Grass Tracking and of Course bringing Road Racing to Scotland.

It was always felt that the Clubs gratitude to Members and associates should be given in organising social events, this being a variety of activities ranging from Social evenings in between Business Meetings, for a blather away from racing, quiz nights Halloween Parties (with all the messy activities).

Even Caravan Maintenance down at Coldingham turned in to an overnight stay and a visit to the pub, after the van was repainted and readied for the new season.

Race weekends at Crail were marked by early arrivals on the Friday evening socialising in the Balcomie Links Hotel and for many a bed even if it had to be on the floor of one of the bedrooms (we had taken all of them for the weekend.

The first Friday night everyone was enjoying the socialising so much and not wanting to go to bed well after midnight that we got everyone pulled on to the dancefloor to form a conga going round the room, outside on to the street through the carpark back in side and up the stairs dropping them off at their respective rooms, this was a lesson we were able, not to repeat in future

Saturday night after practice the hotels provided Food and a live band for riders and officials

One Presentation dinner in the Parkway Hotel was turned in to a social event with Alan choosing music from the Lounge Juke Box and a young Mr Peatman dispensing drinks at the bar, but that’s a story for another day

Fallout of a different kind at Knockhill

There is a saying about Knockhill Circuit that “If you can’t see the hill it’s raining” but “If you can see the Hill it’s about to rain”

Over the years there were many race days we couldn’t see the Hill, even some when ducks could quite happily have swum on the Hairpin entrance.

One meeting in particular on May 4th 1986 we arrived early, to dark, almost black rain clouds, determined to deliver their contents on to us, but donning our wet weather gear everyone set about our task’s in our normal professional manner.

Come lunch time every one was glad to get some shelter and a little warmth before we had again to go out to complete the event, as you might expect the Track conditions kept the Marshalls and Recovery Teams busy.

The meeting was duly completed despite the conditions; after all it wasn’t our first rainy day at Knockhill. Equipment was put away, Prize Money paid out and time to go home.

Just another wet day at Knock Hill or so we thought but events were about to unfold that we could never have anticipates.

A few weeks later we learned that the sheep which grazed the land around the circuit had a Government order placed upon them preventing the sale or movement placed upon them.

The ominous clouds we had witnessed that day, were the bearers of “Fall Out” from the Chernobyl Nuclear Reactor Explosion, which had taken place on the 26th of April 1986.

Contributed by Alan Campbell: -

Whilst assisting at a Knockhill Club Meeting, it had become apparent that there was a shortage of Track Marshals, to allow the event to start.

I was asked by their New Chief Marshal, if when my Scrutineering duties were finished, could I go out on track to raise the numbers and as I was part of the Fire Fighting Team at Nairn’s could I take on that aspect of duties in the Sector Team.

Naturally taking the duty seriously, one of the first things I did was to check the Fire Extinguisher’s finding that at least one of Dry Powder extinguishers was not operational, I requested a replacement be sent out A.S.A.P.

Shortly this brought the Chief Marshal down to me demanding to know “What was I playing at”. When showing the lack of powder in the extinguisher and told what could have been the outcome of attempting to use it in a live situation.

Turning even redder in the face than his normal complexion, he left quietly, wiping the egg from his face’

Contributed on behalf and in memory of Derek Pye

In the much more relaxed pre 1974 Health and Safety Legislation. On days of Race Events, it wasn’t unknown for those assisting to have a beer or two to wash down their packed lunch.

This particular incident took place at the track section from Gardeners Cottage past the old Southerton Toilets, which were off course locked on Race Days to prevent the Public from trying to cross the Track to access them.

Consequently, it wasn’t only members of the public who were denied a dignified access to relieve themselves, Marshals and other Officials out on circuit

had to find a discreet location to relieve themselves.

When the flag Marshal at this sector, had to avail himself of the facilities he discovered that behind the toilets was not only well hidden but must have been the preferred location for underage drinkers to congregate and be unseen.

During subsequent visits by the Marshals on that point they had formed a very large Pyramid with the empty beer cans, adding their few of their empties to the pile.

Mid Afternoon one of the policemen helping patrol the public spectating areas found himself on the far side of the circuit far away from the Changing room toilets, decided to nip to the Southerton toilets, when he found them locked, he headed round the back.

Emerging a few minutes later relieved and laughing hysterically he shouted to the Marshals “They aren’t all yours are they” as he passed them by.

​Contributed by Jim West: -

The Club decided to build a permanent Memorial to Jock Taylor, Sidecar World Champion and Kirkcaldy Club Member, which was to located in a prominent location, at what had been Railway Bend within the Beveridge Park, which in 1948 had brought Motor/ Motorcycle Road Racing to Scotland, for the first time thus establishing it as the Historic home of Scottish Road Racing.

My Brother in Law Duncan and I had volunteered to commence the work on Friday evening, by excavating the base by hand.

On what turned out to be a beautiful sunny summer evening, we cleared the area and set to work firstly marking out the outline of the excavation which was to be concreted tomorrow morning (so no pressure).

The two of us worked away diligently until we were down approximately 1200mm and levelling the bottom ready for Bill Davie to start the building work.

Such was the task it took us more than an hour, during which time, the evening sunshine had attracted literally dozens of the walkers passing by, who observed us digging up what had previously been the Floral Clock (a thing of beauty) surprisingly from all off those who passed, not one of them ever asking “What we were doing”

If you find yourself in the Beveridge Park it is worth while stopping to take a look at Jocks Memorial, which now also pays tribute to Club Members now sadly passed, who greatly contributed to the Clubs Heritage.