Prize draw for Merrick marshals …
Marshals wanted for Merrick
The organisers of the GWF Energy Merrick Stages Rally on Saturday September 7th are planning a special prize draw to highlight the hard work and dedication of their team of volunteer marshals.
The event, which will be part of the prize-giving ceremony at Wigtown town hall after the rally, will feature a range of items, including a rally jacket donated by last year’s Merrick winner and four times Scottish Rally champion David Bogie.
Quintin Milne, who is currently second in the points to Bogie in this year’s series, is also offering a jacket, as well as a run in his Mitsubishi EVO 9. Other prizes include signed framed photographs; t-shirts and rallying memorabilia.
Milne spoke for his fellow competitors in expressing support for the marshals and the key role they play on rally stages, adding: “You never know when you might have to ask one to help push you out of a ditch!”.
Merrick Clerk of the Course Allan Marshall said marshals were the backbone of every form of motorsport, from club autotests to F1:
“We simply couldn’t run the event without a very loyal band of trained volunteers who travel from all corners of the country. The prize-draw is our way of saying “thankyou” for their hard work in ensuring the smooth-running of the rally. They’ll each get a number when they sign on, which’ll go into a hat for the draw that evening. Hopefully, it will also play a part in attracting more people to volunteer as marshals, because there’s no doubt that numbers are dropping. For those who love motorsport, it’s the best way to get close to the action”.
The GWF Energy Merrick Stages, jointly organised by the Machars and Scottish Sporting car clubs, will comprise five classic Galloway Forest stages, including Glentrool, which is regarded as one of the most challenging rally tests in the UK.
Further details can be found at www.merrickstages.co.uk