08 Oct: Mull Rally Weekend prevu

… Beatson’s Building Supplies Mull Rally Weekend, Friday/Saturday 13/14 October …

With no Closed Road rally this year, the Muileachs and the Mainlanders have rallied round to create a couple of events to maintain the continuity of a motor sporting weekend and the island’s reputation as the capital of Scottish rallying.

On Friday 13th there will be a one day Targa Rally organised by the Mull Guardians and Saltire Rally Club, followed by the traditional Tunnock’s Teacake eating contest on Friday evening, and on Saturday 14th, a one day Time Trial on a 3.1 mile stretch of forest road.

Although billed as the Beatson’s Building Supplies 2017 Mull Targa Rally ‘Spirit of 88’ event, the term ‘spirit’ has nothing to do with Tobermory single malt. Nope, this is in reference to the last time that Government interfered with Scottish rallying and curtailed activities somewhat in ’88 and again in ’89 till the Road Closure Order was introduced in 1990.

So it is in that ‘spirit’ that this Targa event has been introduced to the good folks of Mull. And who knows, if they enjoy the spectacle and the motley collection of cars and crews, then perhaps it will have a future here too.

And looking down the entry list for this more gentlemanly sporting pursuit, the term ‘motley crews’ is rather apt. This year’s event marks the ‘competitive’ return of ‘Syd the Parrott’ and ‘The Hairy Highlander’ and no doubt more on these two will be revealed as the event gets underway. Other entries more worthy of note include two of the fastest men on Mull roads (when the closed road event takes place) Eddie O’Donnell Jnr and Jonathan Mounsey.

That might not be the case this year. Eddie has daughter Amanda in the co-driver’s seat to keep him under control, while Jonathan will be in the co-driver’s seat himself! He is navigating for co-driver turned driver, Richard Wardle. Both are in Ford Escorts, but speed is not of the essence on this event, it’s all about control and intelligence. My money’s on Amanda!

Confused? There’s more. Former top co-driver Dave Cowan (won Mull in 1982 with Neil MacKinnon) will be driving former top driver Chris Paton who will be co-driving a Volkswagen UP! That’s the wee 1 litre car from VW that is so compact and bijou that if they do have a serious disagreement and a verbal set-to, it will blow the windows out.

There are some interesting cars too, like Andrew Beaumont’s Sunbeam Rapier H120. Crikey, I remember Andrew Cowan competing in one of these when they were new! Dave Ruddock’s 1972 Vauxhall Viva which pre-dates Jim McRae’s entry to the sport, Mike Kirk’s evocative Sunbeam Alpine, Andrew Johnson’s gorgeous Lancia Fulvia and Kevin Savage’s marvellous Volvo PV544 plus many more.

Then there are the wacky racers like Mull’s own Donald Brown in a Renault Scenic, plus ‘The Map-Maker’ Robin Nicolson in a Ford Fiesta Diesel and Jim McDowall in a Toyota MR2! What? Yes, that’s right, McDowall in an MR2, but don’t worry, there is a large jemmy clipped to the inside door pillar to help lever him in and out.

The Targa Rally will get underway at 10.30 am on Friday morning from Tobermory, with a route of approx 95 miles which will include up to 16 tests and 4 Regularities. Last car home will be around 6pm.

When that’s all over the Tunnocks Teacake Eating Contest will take place at 8pm on Friday evening in the Rally Marquee at Ledaig Car Park in Tobermory. Organised by Biscuit Engineer and former rally winner (with John MacCrone) Stuart Loudon and rally safety manager Ron Cowan entries will be limited to 20 teams. Each team comprises one Eater and one Unwrapper, both of whom must be 18 or over. Sounds like this will be more dangerous than the Targa or the Time Trial!

On Saturday, it will be the turn of the stagers to tackle the 3.1 mile Time Trial at Mornish, halfway between Dervaig and Calgary. Competitors will each have 4 runs of the stage and the possibility of 2 more if there are no time-wasters! They will each have a recce run starting at 9.30 am before the competition runs start at 10.30 am

Oh, and there’s one more special treat, Graham Wright and Michael Hyrons will be competing in the Mini Cooper which Paddy Hopkirk drove into 6th place on the 1967 Monte Carlo Rally. Earlier this year, Mike with driver Pat Haley completed the Rally Monte Carlo Historique to mark the 50th anniversary of the car’s Monte debut.

So from Monte to Mull, a little bit of British automotive history. Nice one boys!

Full Entry Lists below, and more info here: http://mullrally.org/

Beatson’s Building Supplies 2017 Mull Targa Rally ‘Spirit of 88’, Friday 13th October
Entry List:

1, Andy Davies/Max Freeman (Lampeter/Tywyn) Subaru Impreza 1998, 4
2, Andy Beaumont/Andrew Fish (Hull/Chester le Street) Sunbeam Rapier H120 (1972) 5
3, John Bertram/Bob Hargreaves (Berwick upon Tweed/Ulverston) Ford Escort (1972) 5
4, Andrew Johnson/Sam Spencer (Malton/Malton) Lancia Fulvia (1972) 5
5, Kevin Savage/Phillip Savage (Carnforth/Morecambe) Volvo PV544 (1962) 5
6, John Ruddock/Abi Ruddock (York/York) Ford Escort Mexico (1972) 5
7, John Haygarth/Chris Haygarth (Ilkley/Huddersfield) Opel Kadett Coupe (1973) 5
8, Jonathan Young/Alex Young (Fenwick/Fenwick) Volvo Amazon 123GT (1967) 5
9, Ian Dixon/Maurice Millar (Scotlandwell/Blairgowrie) MG BGT (1971) 5
10, Iain Guthrie/Jonathon Webb (Whitley Bay/Alnwick) Ford Anglia 105E (1961) 5
11, Bernard Watkins/Adam Roper (Myton on Swale/Thorner) Morris Mini (1972) 5
12, David Marsden/Mike Garstang (Lancaster/Lancaster) Ford Escort Mk1 (1974) 5
13, David Ruddock/Dave Boyes (Raskelf/Harrogate) Vauxhall Viva (1972) 5
14, Mike Kirk/TBA (Kendal) Sunbeam Alpine (1967) 5
15, Jim Hendry/Graham Couser (Carnbee/Edinburgh) Triumph(1957) 5
16, John Roberts/Oliver Tomlins (Forfar/Insch) Fiat 124 Coupe (1972) 5
17, John Macarthur/Rick Hussey (Northwich/Middlewich) Austin Mini Cooper (1966) 5
18, Joseph Hardy/Doreen Sunter (York/York) Ford Escort Mk1 (1971) 5
19, Dave Whitaker/Peter Whitaker (Bentham/Barnoldswick) Ford Lotus Cortina (1963) 5
20, Malcolm Davey/Paul Slingsby (Bradford/Ilkley) MGB Roadster (1967) 5
21, Graham Wright/Michael Hyrons (Braidwood/Hamilton) Austin Cooper S (1966) 5
22, Martin Oglesby/Rod Carter (Ribchester/Carnforth) Opel Kadett C GT/E (1979) 6
23, Jamie Stewart/Kevin Mollison (Perth/Alyth) Peugeot 205 (1984) 6
24, Richard Wardle/Jonathan Mounsey (Pickering/Settle) Ford Escort (1979) 6
25, Jon Huffer/Joe o’Leary (Edinburgh/Edinburgh) Triumph Dolomite Sprint (1978) 6
26, Eddie O’Donnell Jnr/Amanda O’Donnell (Isle of Mull/Isle of Mull) Ford Escort, 5
27, Kevin Gavan/Ewan Mitchell (Pitlochry/Pitlochry) Citroen Saxo (2001) 1
28, Jack Hall/James Wharton (Reagill/Appleby) Proton Satria GTI (2001) 1
29, Brad Saggers/Darren Metcalfe (Appleby) MG ZR (2005) 1
30, Derek McCrae/Scott Gourlay (Gatehouse of Fleet/Dalbeattie) Skoda Fabia (2000) 1
31, Donald Brown/Shona Hale (Isle of Mull/Dunfermline) Renault Scenic (2002) 1
32, Steven O’Donnell/Stewart Wilshire (Isle of Mull/Isle of Mull) Ford Focus (2003) 1
33, Keith Robathan/Phil Sandham (Aberdeen/Carnforth) BMW 316i (1998) 1
34, Frank Pinder/Liz Brough (Melrose/Melrose) Citroen Saxo (2002) 1
35, Robin Nicolson/Kevin Maciver (Largs/Cruden Bay) Ford Fiesta Diesel (2007) 1
36, Paul Brown/Louise Brown (Isle of Mull/Isle of Mull) Ford Ka (2005) 1
37, Barry Whenman/Alastair King (Isle of Mull/Northampton) Peugeot 206 GTI (2005) 1
38, David Cowan/Chris Paton (Bury/Lanark) Volkswagen UP (2013) 2
39, Garry Pearson/Richard Crozier (Duns/Stonehaven) Renault Clio (1999) 2
40, Niall Thomson/Katie Thomson (Bo’ness/Bo’ness) Toyota Corolla (2000) 2
41, Craig Wallace/Clifford Auld )Kirriemuir/Dromore) Toyota Corolla G6R (1999) 2
42, Neil Thompson/Niall Frost (Loanhead/Goldsborough) Peugeot 106 (1994) 2
43, Bevan Blacker/Sam Collis (Boroughbridge/Hull) Peugeot 106 (1998) 2
44, Duncan Cameron/S.P.Fool (Laurencekirk/The Hatch) Peugeot 205 (1988) 2
45, Adam Booth/Daniel Granger (Congleton/Congleton) Vauxhall Nova (1992) 2
46, Alan Bland/Mark Runciman (Hexham/East Kilbride) Skoda Felica (2001) 2
47, Quentin James/Tom Howe (Kirkham/Preston) Citroen C2 GT (2004) 2
48, Edward Wain/Daniel Simcock (Alsager/Kidsgrove) MR ZR (2001) 2
49, Sandy Horne/Kirsty Horne (Pitlochry/Pitlochry) Ford KA (1997) 2
50, Dan Sedgwick/Sam Ambler (Settle/Settle) Peugeot 106 Rallye (1998) 2
51, Richard Egger/Pat Egger (Anstey/Anstey) Vauxhall Nova (1993) 2
52, Matt Blood/Dan Blood (Hull/Hull) Peugeot 206 XSI (2002) 2
53, Ryan Dow/Hazel Lean (Blair Atholl/Pitlochry) Ford Fiesta Zetec S (2005) 2
54, Gordon Milne/Paul Watson (Dunfermline/Longframlington) VW Polo (2013) 2
55, Chris Warden/Rodney Brereton (Isle of Mull/Barnoldswick) Vauxhall Corsa (2000) 2
56, Alan Ross/Gary Ross (Inverurie/Inverurie) Citroen C2 VTS (2006) 2
57, Andy Tong/Chris Booker (Aberdeen/Fisherford) Peugeot 205 GTi (1989) 2
58, Doug Weir/Stevie Brown (Ellon/Aberdeen) VW Golf (2003) 2
59, Michael Ireland/Alexander Ireland (Peebles/Peebles) Vauxhall Corsa (2007) 2
60, David Taylor/Brian Cammack (East Harling/Aylesbury) Proton Satria (2001) 3
61, Gareth Frank/Ali Procter (Bedale/Newcastle) Vauxhall Astra GSi (1992) 3
62, Dave Leadbetter/Cath Woodman (Belper/Belper) BMW 318Ti (1998) 3
63, Andrew Hughes/Neil Anderson (Tandragee/Dromore) Mazda MX5 (2000) 3
64, James Morrison/Alan Gordon (Elgin/Elgin) Ford Fiesta ST (2005) 3
65, Jim McDowall/Jamie McDowall (Creetown/Creetown) Toyota MR2 (1992) 3
66, Nick Robertson/Robert Boan (Newton Stewart/Newton Stewart) Renault Clio Cup 172 (2003) 3
67, Gavin Gray/Colin Mackay (Edinburgh/Edinburgh) Citroen Xsara VTS (1999) 3
68, Grant Fleming/Graham Thomson (Uddingston/Bothwell) Ford Fiesta ST (2007) 3
69, Jack Chambers/Leanne Greatrex (Bradford/Inverness) Mazda MX5 (1992) 1
70, Nigel Hobson/Zak Hobson (Bradford/Bradford) Proton Satria Neo (2007) 1
71, Chloe Fleming/Jamie Fleming (Uddingston/Uddingston) Citroen DS3 (2016) 2
72, Geoff Dean/Suzanne Barker (Loughborough/York) Vauxhall Corsa, 2

Beatson’s Building Supplies Mornish Rally Time Trial, Sat 14th October
Entry List:

2, Malcolm Davey/Paul Slingsby (Bradford/Ilkley) Ford Escort Mk1, 2
3, Drew Barker/Shona Hale (Kirkcaldy/Dunfermline) Citroen C2, 3
4, Bryan Gourlay/Scott Gourlay (Dalbeattie/Dalbeattie) Peugeot 205 GTI, 2
5, Eddie O’Donnell Jnr/TBA (Isle of Mull/TBA) Ford Escort RS, 4
6, Alan Gardiner/Kevin MacIver (Biggar/Cruden Bay) Subaru Impreza GC8, 6
7, Iain Noble/Alan Noble (Isle of Mull/Isle of Mull) Ford Escort Mk2 , 4
8, John Tillett/Gareth Frank (Northallerton/Bedale) Ford Escort Mk2, 4
9, Andy Davies/Max Freeman (Lampeter/Tywyn) Subaru Impreza, 6
10, Steven Alexander/Christina Jones (Blairgowrie/Blairgowrie) Citroen Saxo, 3
11, Tommy Graham/TBA (Bedale/TBA) Mitsubishi Evo8, 6
12, Jamie Stewart/Kevin Mollison (Blair Atholl/Alyth) Peugeot 205 , 2
13, Stevie Brown/Michelle Falconer (Aberdeen/St Boswells) Vauxhall Nova, 1
14, Steven Fraser/Christopher Ronaldson (Inverinate/Inverness) Mitsubishi Evo 9, 6
15, Reay Mackay/Keir Beaton (Fort Augustus/Inverness) Ford Focus WRC, 6
16, Brian Watson/TBA (Kineff/TBA) Mitsubishi Evo, 6
17, Craig Rutherford/Robbie MacCallum (Isle of Mull/Isle of Mull) TBA, 1
18, Gordon Halley/Fergus Gray (Crieff/Aberuthven) Ford Escort Mk2, 4
19, David Calvert/Robin Nicolson (Clitheroe/Largs) Ford Escort Mk2, 4
20, Richard Spink/Grum Willcock (?/?) Ford Escort, 4
21, Iain Donaldson/TBA (Oba/TBA) Ford Escort Mk2, 4
22, Ryan Ingram/Calum MacDougall (Isle of Mull/Isle of Mull) Honda Civic, 3
23, Hamish Campbell/TBA (Lanark/TBA) Citroen C2, 3
24, Jordan Black/TBA (Lanark/TBA) Citroen C2 VTS , 3
25, Paddy Munro/Sandy MacKenzie (Kyle of Lochalsh/Kyle of Lochalsh) Ford Escort Mk2, 4
26, Scott Erskine/Michael Hendry (Biggar/Archiestown) Ford Fiesta, 3