Over 170 entries racing in 13 classes over three different courses will compete in the Bell Lawrie Scottish Series, which starts tomorrow evening (27 May 2004).

IRC Class 1 sees ten entries including two new boats this season – a new X 413 for Iain Graham, who owns the course area sponsor Graham Technology – and a new Grand Soleil 45 for former Sigma 33 European champions Bobby Napier and Allan Hogg.

Among the leading contenders in IRC Class 1 will be last year’s class winner Cracklin’ Rosie, the Corby 40, which will be steered by sailmaker Joe English, former Swan European champion Keith Miller in the Swan 45 Crackerjack which has sailmaker Kevin Sproul as tactician, and Playing FTSE, a Beneteau 47.7 owned and skippered by Jonathan Anderson who is the only skipper to have won the Scottish Series Trophy – the overall top prize – three times.

IRC Class 2 sees 25 entries, among the favourites in this class is veteran John Corson’s Bavaria Match 38 Salamander XVIII, which will have former Scottish Series Trophy winner Hamish Mackay on board as tactician. Chris Bonar and his crew on Bateleur, the BH36, have won the Trophy twice and won Class 2 last year and are likely to be in the frame again this year, while former X332 National Champions and Clyde Master Helm Donald Sharp will race in this class with his new Reichel Pugh designed Seaquest 36.