There was local celebration at this year’s Steve Hislop Memorial Trophy race at East Fortune at the weekend, with Tranent’s Michael Robertson claiming victory.

Robertson, who has been racing in the British Superbikes this season, made a welcome return to East Fortune, where he lifted the Hislop Trophy for the second time, the first time being 2012.

He also came away with five race wins from five starts and secured the fastest lap of the weekend with a time of 58.7seconds.

The Hislop grid is determined by the fastest 30 or so riders of the weekend and grid positions are randomly drawn.

As soon as the lights went out, Robertson, who started from the middle of the grid, went in search of the leaders, and within a few laps was out in front. From the moment he moved to the front, no rider could catch him and he was first to the chequered flag, followed by Paul Wishart, almost four seconds behind, and in third place was Donald MacFadyen, a further three seconds back.

Gifford’s Lewis Rollo was the youngest rider home, finishing in 15th place, while also picking up two race wins over the course of the weekend.

During the presentation of the Steve Hislop Trophy, handed over to Robertson by Hislop’s mother Margaret, trackcommentator Ian Hutchison paid tribute to Hislop, reminding the crowd that his race career began at East Fortune, after which, he progressed to becoming Scottish champion, British champion and an 11-times Isle of Man TT winner.

Organisers extended their thanks to the Melville Club organisers, the medics and especially the track marshals, for giving up their time to ensure the racing happened. Thanks also went to the commentary team of Ian Hutchison and Ian Robertson, who kept the spectators informed with their extensive knowledge.

The next race meeting at East Fortune will be held on the weekend of October 11-12, when the NEMCRC club from the north-east of England will make a return to East Lothian for their final championship races.