Bathgate stock car legend David Philp Jr is targeting a third successive world title in 2023, writes Jim Turner.
David, a director of DP Commercials in East Calder, became just the fourth stock car driver to seal back-to-back World Championship titles this year during what was an exceptional season.
However, he’s not satisfied stopping there as he aims to make it three-in-a-row when the competition is staged once again later this year.
At the start of 2022, he held the World and Scottish titles and by the end of the campaign had retained his World championship as well as adding both the European and Irish Open Championships before sealing the British title as well at Cowdenbeath.
Reflecting on a fine 12 months, he said: “I had a good season but successfully defending my world title at St Day in Cornwall was the highlight. I struggled to get the gearing right in the limited practice sessions.
“I felt my car was over revving but in the time trials I was third fastest and as a result I started from the inside of row two.
“After a few laps I managed to get through into second then during the closing stages of the race I began to catch the leader before noticing that his back tyre was getting softer.
“With five laps to run I was ahead and went through to win. It was a great feeling to have defended my world title.
“We then had the ORCi Championship at Taunton which isn’t my favourite track. I just couldn’t get to grip with the set up or the track.
“In the championship race I managed to get into third or fourth before being taken out by a back marker. My car was wrecked and really has never been right since.”
He added: “My season started well and the first Championship weekend was at the Racewall for the British Championship in May. I started the race from the third row, dropped a place early on then started to pick up places.
“I took the lead with five laps remaining and it was a case of not making mistakes. Thankfully it proved to be a relatively trouble free run and I went on to win.
“We then headed over to Northern Ireland where I won the European but only getting into the lead on the last lap, and then the Irish Open Championship the following day.
It was a good weekend. Next up was the UK Championship at Skegness where I ended up as the runner-up but was closing in on the winner but just ran out of laps.”
As for his plans next season, he intends to defend every title won during 2022.
He is even hoping to add to his collection of silverware, saying: “I will be defending all my championship wins this year and hopefully might add a couple more.
“Although the added complication is that my son David will be starting his Ministox career so we will need to see how things fit in.”
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