Longridge’s Nicole Russell has reflected on an incredible 2022 as she gears up for a new year.
Nicole achieved one of her ambitions when she won the Prostock Basics Scottish Championship at the Cowdenbeath Racewall in August but she had to be at her very best to do so.
Nicole commented: “I was telling my parents that I was going to win it.
“I drew position five which put me on the inside of row three. The Rennies, Callum and Dave, shared the front row. Callum led when the race started but there was an early stoppage when Dave got into trouble which thankfully I missed.
“I slotted into third for the single file restart. Callum was slow off his mark and held up Liam Boyle so I took to the outside line and passed both to take the lead.
“I had built up a nice gap over the field when there was another stoppage and the others lined up directly behind me. When the race restarted I got away well and went on to win.
“I did a fist pump as I took the chequered flag - best feeling ever. When I stopped in the winner’s circle I clambered onto my car’s roof to celebrate my win. It was the best day ever and one that I will never forget.”
As for the rest of her season, she commented: “I appeared for the next race with the Scottish flag on my roof and despite still being as high as a kite, finished fifth.
“I was brought back down in the next race with a thump when I was in a shunt and ended up needing another axle, radiator and had a puncture.
“I also raced a 2 Litre Saloon up at Crimond and ended up as the runner-up in the Ladies Scottish Championship.
“In 2021, I won the National Points and raced throughout 2022 with the silver roof on my car and had to start all of our races,
apart from the Scottish, from the back of the grid. It is hard to make your way through the field to get good results and but I managed to pick up some really good results over the year.
“For next season I hope to retain my Scottish Championship and then decide whether I stay with the Basics.”
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