Latest feature that I've dug out of my archives to feature on this 'Driver profile' thread.
Back at the tail end of 1992, I was asked by McDoog to do a feature on Darren Bingley for the November Superbowl programme as Darren had competed at Racewall so often that season that he was clearly seen as 'the most frequent English visitor to Racewall.'
Take a look and have a read of a feature about one driver's attitude to racing at Scotland's premier race circuit... back in the days when there seemed to be so much LESS cynisism about the place! The track was narrow, F1's STAYED in England(!), the F2 numbers were high every Saturday night, and nothing could ever go wrong. Racewall Cowdenbeath was a flag ship track that on which the BriSCA sun would never set........ah, rose timted specs eh???
THE SASSENACH RAIDER
A profile of ‘An Englishman Abroad’
622 Darren Bingley
Without a doubt, ,Formula Two Stockcar Racing in Scotland today is absolutely booming. Throughout season ’92 F2 gats have consistently been around the 40 mark every Saturday night. Yet despite the constant influx of new tartan blood and the big following that the established Scottish Stars like Jimmy Moodie, Keith Stanford and George MacMillan enjoy, it’s great to see every visitor from south of the border is made such a big fuss of. The Cowdenbeath regulars are always delighted when an Englishman is prepared to put in several hundred miles travelling in order to take on the to tartan tarmac tearaways and the infamous ‘Racewall.’
Sporting the declaration “Don’t be frightened of the Racewall Cowdenbeath”, World Champion 218 Rob Speak was the first English lad to see the light and throw himself whole-heartedly into the F2 Scottish scene in such a big way. Here every Saturday night in 1991, Rob Speak stormed to take the prestigious Cowdenbeath Track Championship by a very significant margin. Indeed, Speaky loves this place so much ‘he bought the company!’ as they say. Rob now lives in Edinburgh and considers himself totally Scottish!
Consequently, attention has shifted to other Sassenachs who have ventured North. Cornwall’s 542 Peter Gilbert has certainly made an impact this season, clearly indicating that ‘Pixies’ use the bumper after all – just ask 325 Trevor Harris! Doncaster’s 701 John Thompson knows the quick way round Racewall too, at least when it’s dry.
But there is one English racer who has shown commitment to racing where the St Andrews Cross flies more than any other, and despite the fact that he is listed in the back of the Cowdenbeath programme in correctly as a Yorkshireman, he is Cumbrian and proud of it. The man in question: 622 Darren Bingley. Just what makes this Star grader from the North West of England, who is renown for his sale process, dedicate himself to the very hard, ultra fast racing at Racewall Cowdenbeath?
“That’s why I like the track so much!” Darren has admitted to me on a number of occasions. “It’s hard, the racing is so incredibly fast, and that’s where the challenge lies time after time.” Bingley, the 1989 Outlaw Stockcar National Champion, was considering a move into F2 for some time, but it was a night’s visit as a spectator to Cowdenbeath which really converted him. “This is real stockcar racing!”
In June 1990, Darren modified his Outlaw car for F2 competition and made his BriSCA debut at an 80 car Northampton Qualifier of all meetings! Talk about jumping in at the deep end! That particular meeting wasn’t exactly blessed in luck but Bingley quickly established himself on the loose stuff. In fact the 622 pilot hold the distinction of actually finishing his first BriSCA race in the placings as a winner, when he took victory in the Consolation at Crewe on the 16th June 1990. Since then the Cumbrian racer has made the Cheshire Circuit his own, winning more F2 races there of the past two years than any other driver (even Speaky!) and has consequently held the Crewe Track Title in both 1991 and 1992.
But turning from Darren Bigley’s favourite shale track, he is quick to naturally point out that Racewall is way and beyond his favourite tarmac raceway. 622 quickly established a taste for the place, when as a vey nervous yellow top Bingley made his track debut on a cold and wet night on 9th march 1991. A heat 5th was followed by an 8th place in the GN. Jimmy Moodie was the first to congratulate the Bingley crew on Darren’s first time performance. “Thar’s nae many who score here furst time oot.” Moodie is reported to have said to ‘Father’ Bingley!
“That’s another boost about Cowdenbeath” Darren’s said, “As an English visitor, people are so pleased to see you up here, and are so interested to see how you are getting on.” Moodie’s comments typify the Scottish welcome. Indeed, off track Darren enjoys getting on with all the Scottish drivers. “Our last meeting at Cowdie showed everyone up in Scotland are prepared to help you out.” As you may recall, 622 hit the wall very hard on 24th October, severely damaging the old Pete Hall car, popularly known as ‘The Tractor.’ But with Speaky’s enthusiastic help and even Les Clark asking if he could do anything, the front end was rebuilt, a new axle was thrown under and with new tie bars fitted, 622 was out for the Consolation just in the nick of time!
On track, Bingley loves racing with them all: McMillan, Moodie, the Stanfords and Jim Harris. But Darren gets particular pleasure if he is able to put one over on either Graeme Kelly, Les Clark or Speaky of course!
So how does Darren describe racing at the Racewall? “It’s fast – hellish fast!” is Bingley’s quick response. “It’s like racing down a continuous white tunnel. The racing line is so close to the Racewall right the way round the circuit. But you can’t be scared of it, you’ve got to attack it and race the circuit hard – very hard. If you don’t you’re an also-ran. Racing here gets the adrenaline pumping like no place else. It’s bloody superb!”
And since the introduction of his 1992 Tarmac Special (christened ’the Masrerati’), Cowdenbeath’s regular English competitor has really fought his way into the frame, scoring well here on nearly every occasion. Darren enjoys a good dry surface to race on and on two such occasions the 622 pilot has claimed a commendable second place in the night’s grand Final. But Bingley has had more than equal success during an infamous Cowdenbeath deluge. Darren has won nearly a dozed races up and down the country this season including an all important Final at Crewe’s Qualifier, but Darren sites his Grand national victory here at Racewall on Scottish Championship day in the pouring rain as his most memorable to date. “I class that as an ambition achieved.” Darren admits, “To get a place up here is an achievement, but to win at Racewall is truly something else.”
If only Bingley hadn’t have been foiled by an errant compatriot in the shape of 688 Dave Brennan a race earlier! Well on the pace and clear of eventual winner Les Clark. Darren came oh so close
To becoming the First English winner of the Scottish Championship since Cowdenbeath opened. Needless to say, the man from Storth sites the Scottish title as a major aim for 1993. “I would love that prize as much as getting the Gold Roof!”
It’s pretty clear that 622 Darren Bingley has nothing but praise for Racewall Cowdenbeath, due to the Scottish drivers and the fans. “The atmosphere in Scotland is the best there is. The grandstand crowd buzzes and the reception the drivers get from the ‘Scotch Corner’ is terrific.
But Bingley wants to make it clear that all of this: the racing, the action, the huge terrace following at this Stockcar Mecca is all down to one amazing man: Gordon MacDougall. All the 622 crew believe the secret to GMP’s success is Gordon McDougall’s ability to inspire loyalty among his staff, (the efficency of the Racewall officials stands deep head and shoulders above those in England) and the respect he shows to the drivers reflects the respect they show for him. He has a constant concern to put on a good, value for money show for the paying public. It definitely seems to work! It is because of this that ‘Bing’ always tries to race in Scotland as often as possible. “If Crewe’s not on then I’ll be here!” says Daz.
There’s one thing for certain, 622 Darren Bingley’ is clearly not one of those drivers who is frightened of the Racewall Cowdenbeath!
ROB HUGHES
or did BOTH of these REGULAR English visitors to Cowdenbeath actaully know the quick way round only too well? (When they weren't taking each other out! 
)
And the Mildenhall track staff wasted no time in cutting the cage off the car and getting Darren out very quickly indeed. But they did still ask us for pit passes as we carried the aerofoil etc off the track 
lol 
