With a 14 point lead over main rival Torquil Paterson, Bruce Birnie had to make sure not to concede points at this late stage in the championship with only four races remaining.

Recovering from an elbow injury Bruce took to the grid for Race 1 in pole position having set an electric pace in qualifying. After the first lap Bruce had been pushed back to 4th position whilst his two main championship rivals lay in 1st and 2nd places, not the start he had hoped for.

Trying desperately to find a way past Yamaha rider Bob Grant who lay in 3rd place, it was obvious that Bruce was being held back and the gap at the front was steadily increasing. Coming round the back of the airfield circuit Bruce made a highspeed pass on Grant to move into 3rd. As he secured the 3rd spot the front tyre lost grip and Bruce and the bike tumbled across the circuit in excess of 120mph.

Surrounded by farming land Bruce and the bike disappeared at frightening speed into the barley field that forms the perimeter around the circuit. Immediately, due to the severity of the accident, the race was red flagged and rescue unit and ambulances dispatched.

The Birnie pit crew sped back to race control to try and get any news that they could. All that was known was that Bruce was down and that he hadn't been found in the field yet.

Minutes seemed to turn to hours as the team waited on news, the silence was broken as someone shouted "Get the spare bike out now". As they turned round they saw Bruce running down the pitlane intent on getting back out for the restart. A minute later rider and bike were off again into the fray.

Unfortunately Bruce was penalised with a 10 second penalty for a jump start upon the restart of the race, a huge task lay now ahead of him. With three laps left to go and with Bruce battling for 3rd position on a bike that he hadn't ridden, as it had only been built on the Thursday evening.

It looked like his 14 point lead had been almost wiped out as rival Paterson diced for 1st place. Then another twist in the tale unfolded as Paterson's bike began to mis-fire. Huge cheers from the crowd could be heard above the roar from the bikes as Bruce moved forward a place just at the moment when Paterson pulled to the side. Mis-calculating his fuel for the restarted race meant that Paterson had run out of fuel, giving a further 11 points of an advantage to Bruce.

Sunday saw Race 2 which was less dramatic and less fortuitous for Bruce. Suffering quite badly from the previous day's high-speed tumble and nursing several aches and pains Bruce fought through the pain barrier to secure 3rd place, ending the weekend with a 16 point advantage over Paterson.

After the race Bruce said "I'm not sure why I came off in the first race, I just remember lying there surrounded by barley hearing my name being called. I knew all my bits and bobs were still working and my only thoughts were to get back to the medical centre and get passed fit and to get out on the spare bike.

"I've not had the best of luck all season but I have to say Lady Luck was there for me that time. I've been to hell and back to get those points, so they are gratefully received and have helped avert a near disastrous weekend. The team worked hard to get the bike rebuilt ensuring I had two bikes for the Sunday as well, so a huge thanks to all involved."

With 50 points still up for grabs at the final round at Knockhill race circuit on the 4th/5th October the championship, as predicted, is going to go to the last race.

No doubt the charasmatic barber will have his usual large support there over the two days which sees the final round being run on the Sunday before moving into the Celtic Match races.

This is an annual event which will see Bruce and other top Scottish riders taking to the track against teams from England, Ireland and Wales as well as the most famous of Scottish riders Niall McKenzie making a one off return from retirement on a 600cc bike. Huge crowds are guaranteed, although bring an umbrella, as team Birnie are doing a rain dance in the build up to the weekend.