Video created from old 8mm cine films - 1965-66
The above video is derived from old 8mm cine films of the early days at Ingliston taken by Ian Scott Watson. It shows some of the early circuit construction work including laying of tarmac in early 1965, followed by what I believe is the first official test session a week prior to the opening race meeting in April 1965, and then shots taken at the April, July, August and September race meetings the following year (1966), including the infamous milk float race!
I have spent some time closely examining these video clips and, by making reference to contemporary race programmes and the like, I have made a best attempt at documenting the content (detailed below). That said, I must admit that there was a fair bit of educated guesswork involved, and so if anyone is able to correct any of my observations, or perhaps add further information, then please don't hesitate to contact me via the "Contact" page on this website.
Please note that there is no sound accompanying the resulting video, which is just under half-an-hour long.
I would like to thank the Scottish Motor Racing Club for allowing these films to be displayed here on this website.
Video highlights, with approximate time (in minutes and seconds) into the video:
0:00 - Track being laid around the arena
1:45 - MacRobert Pavilion under construction
2:00 - Jim Clark's Lotus Elan?
5:45 - First laps of the completely surfaced circuit? John Romanes at 6:02
7:00 - Jim Clark (or perhaps Andrew Cowan?) tries out the new circuit
7:55 - SMRC first official practice session on the new track, 4 April 1965
9:20 - Edinburgh Students Charities Race Meeting, April 1966.....
9:45 - Over 1200cc Saloons race, #89 is Logan Morrison's red Mini
10:00 - Bill Dryden (Lotus Elan #33) winning the Over 1200cc Sports Car race
10:18 - SMT Trophy Race Meeting, July 1966.....
12:14 - M. Potter's Lotus 31 (#29) at scrutineering
12:40 - Chris Meek's Ginetta G12 (#59)
12:57 - Jim Fewell's Mini "Box 3"
13:20 - Sandy McCracken's Anglia-Lotus (#73)
13:35 - Bill Dryden's Elan (#54) and T. Wilson's Wilson GT (#56)
13:50 - Mini "Box 2" and Jimmy Veitch's Diva (#52)
14:15 - Chris Meek's Ginetta (#59)
14:20 - T. Wilson (Wilson GT), Johnny Blades (Ginetta), Ernie Blackadder (Elan), Chris Meek (Ginetta), Henry Ballantyne (Marcos) and John Burton (Ginetta)
15:10 - Ernie Blackadder's Elan lost a wheel as it was coming in to the pits
15:25 - Up to 1200c GT Cars, probably July 1966 - Andy Barton's white Mini Marcos
15:40 - Ford GT40 demonstration
15:55 - Lunch-time parade of Vauxhalls
16:40 - Driver's briefing
17:00 - D.J.M. Fisher's Cortina skims the armco in the over 1200cc Saloons race
17:10 - F. Libre race, probably heat 1 of July's SMT Trophy Race - #8 is Peter Gethin's F2 Lotus
17:50 - King Hussein of Jordan arriving at the circuit
18:25 - Probably heat 2 of the SMT Trophy race, #3 is Willie Forbes' Lotus-BMW, #17 is J. McWilliams' Merlyn, #16 is Andrew Goodfellow's Cooper
18:43 - Rare views of the old Shepherds/Brewers/Vets section of track
19:25 - Jim Moore spins his F2 Cooper, July 1966
19:50 - Jack Fisher's Fisher GT (date unknown)
20:15 - The Milk Race Meeting, August 1966.....
21:04 - Lunch-time concert by the "Milk Shakes" beat group!
21:35 - Jim Clark and the electric milk float race
22:55 - Start of the Up to 1200cc Saloons race
23:25 - Jim Clark starts one of the two August '66 F. Libre races (heat 1?)
23:40 - Clubmans race
24:10 - Over 1200cc Saloons race, August '66 - first car through is Graham Birrell's dark blue Perdal Anglia
24:40 - Start of Up to 1200cc Sports & Special GT race - #31 is John Corfield's Diva GT, Andy Barton's white Mini Marcos (#37) is on pole, #35 is Reg Forester-Smith's Lotus 11 GT
25:25 - Milk Slogan Race for saloon cars - first car through is Gerry Birrell's navy blue Chamois; Jimmy Pinkerton spins his Austin A40 at Merchants'
25:50 - Formula Libre race, probably heat 2 August '66
26:35 - Allan Rollinson receives the "Milk for Energy Trophy"
Edinburgh Festival Race Meeting, September 1966.....
27:05 - Cars lining up for the F. Libre race - Allan Rollinson's Brabham (#8), Bill Dryden in the Ecosse Climax (#1) and Jock Russell's Lotus (#4)
27:35 - Formula Libre cars lining up for their race: Jock Russell (Lotus #4), John Romanes (Lotus #6), Bill Dryden (Ecosse Climax #1), Willie Forbes (Lotus #3) and Allan Rollinson (Brabham #8)
28:25 - Allan Rollinson winning the F. Libre race (assumed to be Sept. '66)
28:40: - End
