A glance at any SMRC literature or the raceday programme at Knockhill for the club racing events will usually show up the name of Chris Edwards. If you've ever wondered what the Competition Secretary of the SMRC does or how he went about taking up that post, our recent interview with him may provide you with some answers...

SCR: What is your history in terms of motorsport prior to becoming SMRC Competition Secretary in 2001?

CE: I started marshalling in 1970 at Ingliston as a trainee (there was a waiting list then!) My dad took me to Chaterhall (can't remember it.) Did all sorts of things then joined the track team and spent most of my time at the Hairpin. we were the best team in motorsport but the "high-head yins" thought we were too rough, We were called the leper colony. They then made me Chief Track Marshall! By then we were at Knockhill also but Ingliston was and still is the more exciting venue.

Ingliston was closed (I believe there were some dark powers at work there.) My Dad took me to Monaco and Le Mans when I was 14 and Le Mans especially got to me. When I was old enough I embarked upon trying to organize an official SMRC marshalling post for Le Mans. I actually succeeded and four of us marshalled at Mulsanne Straight (before the poofy chicanes!) We marshalled there on and of for a further decade.

Over the next five years I changed the track team into a more efficient well drilled outfit by introducing fire practice crash scenarios at training days and involved the recovery more so the whole track tidy up was smooth running from incident to wreck removal. (some tricks I picked up from Cowdenbeath race wall.) Our track team is now recognized to be one of the best in the country. We now have teams going to Le Mans and the British Grand Prix. I got moved up to deputy Chief Marshall and then up to Race Control as Clerk Of The Course where I remain to this day. I then was also asked to do the Competition Secretary job in 2003.

SCR: What does the post of Competition Secretary involve?

CE: It really is most of what you see on a race day. Take in and process subscriptions, plan the championships for the season ahead, plan the meetings, try to attract visiting rounds, book timekeepers, admin, rescue units, recovery. Before race day take in the entries, send out all the tickets, timetables and instructions to the drivers (having printed them and packed them.) On race day - open up, make sure everyone is there that is supposed to be. Pay recovery, timekeeprs, Doctors. Check in drivers, deal with sign on, then have a rest by clerking or racing! Then collect money from programme, go home and balance the books and pay the bills from race day (Knockhill, printing, MSA etc) and start planning and taking entries for next meeting. If I’ve got any time left I play with my three year old and say hello to my long suffering wife. When November comes I take a holiday!

SCR: What has the experience as Competition Secretary been like overall?

CE: It has been a much bigger job than I realized!!! I’m home from work have tea then in office for 3-4 hours a night. It's very hard work with not much help however it is very rewarding. The Classic meeting last year took me a month of sitting up till midnight most nights with a phone permanently stuck to my ear during the day. But come race day I could look around this marvellous event, smile contentedly and say to myself “..I did that!”

SCR: Biggest challenge as CS?

CE: Biggest challenge is keeping most of the people happy most of the time. Lots of drivers with different agendas. All successful in their own field so they have to be treated with respect. I have raced a bit so I guess I understand stuff from their point of view… a similar philosophy I use as Clerk Of The Course.

SCR: You've raced an XR2 on occasion in the last few years - any plans to return to the track?

CE: Yes I hope to back out this year in a better car courtesy of Ian Cowie. Charlie (Thornton) is excited as he has never beaten me and I hope to keep it that way.

SCR: Favourite racing series away from the club classes?

CE: Its got be world sports cars at Le Mans… I could write a book. I may do one day. You have to experience it before you die.

SCR: What do you see as the future for the SMRC classes?

CE: The SMRC classes are defined purely by what is there to race. Supply and demand. If someone pitched up with a dozen racing anything we would find a race for them if they were entertaining. Formula Phoenix was what I put out when Historic Ecosse folded and I decided to let any non slick and wing car enter. I said at the time let's shake the tree and see what falls out. It turned out to be Formula Ford 1600 Kents. We now look like having 20 plus racing this season from that wee seed. GREAT!

The future is up to the drivers. I hear people saying nonsense like I am about to wind down XR2 for instance. What on earth would I do that for? I would only do that when they showed signs of their own demise (say 12 cars) I just find another replacement that will move up when there are no XR2 cars and bits left (like Mini Coopers) I take guidance from the likes of Ian Cowie, Aly Hunter, Graham Brunton,and Bryce Wilson. They keep me right.

If I can keep Scottish Motorsport vibrant, accessable and cost effective till the next generation takes over then I will have done my job!