Scotland.
Kilts, whisky, old castles and older stones… Yes, that Scotland.
The trip was planned some time ago with best efforts on schedules but, such as is, the Late Model ValleyStar Credit Union 300 caught the block. There were a few others but the “Virginia Triple Crown” finale was the bigger miss. Fortunately, a connection was maintained and photos to review the event had been set before “wheels up” on the trip.
Take this as light and jovial, but there are wives that are not so big on racing. I knew this going in on planning the Scotland trip but requests to visit at least one race track while there were not approved. With that, “car stuff” had to be found in the wild between castles and gardens and stones and gardens and the seaside and gardens…
The ValleyStar race was kept up with for interest as best as possible. The quick recap from Martinsville Speedway on the back end is that there was some rain, some disappointment and some big celebration. Carson Loftin and Lee Pulliam had won the front row on qualifying and the heat races. The actual race was held with a midway rain delay. There were some additional cautions that thinned the field including the “traditional” first lap mash up. Late race rain turned the heat up again with time short and another late restart that had Landon Pembelton and Lee Pulliam set up for 30 laps. The lead was traded by bumpers setting up a 2 lap drag-fest with a side by side run off turn four that gave Pembelton the edge and the win. This was the second VSCU300 win for Pembelton. Lee Pulliam was chasing a third win and almost had it.
Connor Hall took home the 2025 Virginia Late Model Triple Crown. He finished 11th at Martinsville but carried a win at South Boston and a second place finish at Langley Speedway. The combined numbers gave him the honors.
Photos: VSCU 300 (September 27, 2025 – Martinsville Speedway) provided by DOS Images
With live racing on the back burner, the travel around Scotland was an outstanding experience. It is a showcase of the ages of man in plain site. Digital displays and prehistoric human activity are merged within living there. Ancient stone circles and historic castle ruins are mixed with the depths of the scale of human achievement. It is a showcase of history and nature.
There are, however, some “car” points to throw out:
First, and after 5 visits to the UK this still surprises me, they will just give you a car and point to the road and say “have a nice trip”. Yes, you drive on the left side of the road and sit on the right side of the car. It is a mirror of years of experience. Still… It’s “have a nice trip”… The airline you flew over on makes you watch a safety video before the plane even moves and you are just a passenger in seat 26C. You are in the driver’s seat for the car and it’s “have a nice trip”! They don’t even give you a basic “Rules For Driving In A Proper Way In A Civilized Society” handbook…
Second, many of the roads have a default speed limit of 60mph. The main roads and motorways can have a posted 70mph limit. The countryside roads are marked (mostly) with reduced village speeds. However, once you see that circle with a diagonal line, it is default 60 and off you go. Many of these roads are barely wider than the car. Road shoulders are replaced by hedges up to the edge of the pavement. There are “lay by” spots which allow the closest vehicle to pull to the side and let the other pass. This is all taken in with 60mph and “have a nice trip”.
Third, the cars are generally smaller. Manual transmissions are much more common there. So common that you often must designate an automatic in the rental. Even for experienced “manual” drivers it does take a hot minute to get used to shifting with the left hand so consider that if making the trip. (Yes… The pattern is the same – Just on the left. “First” is left and up, just like here, but with your left hand)
Fourth, trucks (lorries) are also on these little back roads and the drivers all seem to have rally racing experience. Everyone, for that matter, that you encounter is used to those roads and you are a nuisance if you can’t keep up so drop the attitude and make the error on the side of caution. Move and let them go when you can…
There is more, but those are the high points. For the trip of 2600 miles and 17 days, between castles, abbeys, ancient standing stones. and extravagant gardens and modern GPS navigation there as some cool “car” stuff in the mix.
Variety on the roads of the UK can be a distraction while driving as a visiting American. The numbers of “uncommon” cars and cool cars and “what….????” cars can easily catch the eye
Just like the architecture and stone age history, the cars encountered can present a daily dose of automotive history. There is also a wide variety of manufacturers that are mostly alien to the borders of the United States. All of Europe mixes their cars here and many of those just don’t cross the Atlantic. These mix with cars of British heritage on the streets everywhere.
There are also many models of car from brands common in America that are offered in the UK and Europe that just don’t translate to the American concept of “car”. It is unfortunate. Many of these offer plenty of space inside but ride on a smaller wheelbase on the outside. They are efficient, designed and built as good as most, and are easy on the eyes as well. The above VW Polo above is just a smaller Golf and a great “city” car. There are Ford models available there that are no longer offered here. The Focus, as an example. The Fiesta is only now being phased out in order to welcome a new “Capri” that we won’t see here. Ford makes a “Puma”… Did you know there was a “Puma”?
The Ford Focus (bottom left) is still offered new and Mercedes-Benz (upper right) has versions available across the board.
The deep company ownership is currently mixed within Chinese business concerns but even MG is back on UK roads with current versions running side by side with traditional vintage.
And yes, there are many cars that cross over and some do have a posh history and pedigree. Mercedes, of course, is common on both sides of the pond with Aston-Martin, Jaguar, Fiat and even Alpha Romeo making efforts to take a bite of the American pie.
The differences and the oddities could and can fill volumes but it is still a very old place. Scotland (Britain) is a landscape of the ancient mixing with the modern. The value of their history is on display and preserved. The history of motoring, young in comparison to a medieval castle or neolithic stone circles, is still a sight when seen on the road.
Prepping to make the last drive to Heathrow and waking up at the Ostrich Inn (3rd oldest Inn/Pub in England) we encountered a vintage auto club getting out and about for an excursion around the roads west of London. It was a very cool sight as we packed up to leave. They were a mix of ages out to enjoy the machines they diligently keep in condition and preserve as a reminder that the car is an evolving mechanism that is still changing.
Racing continues to push that change and technology continues to push racing. The ValleyStar Credit Union 300 leads into NASCAR weekend at Martinsville Speedway. It will be good to back at the races.