… Grampian Forest Rally, Saturday 11th August …
Crikey, it’s that time of year already. This weekend sees the penultimate round of the ARR Craib MSA Scottish Rally Championship take to the forests of Aberdeenshire. The fun starts at 9.00am this Saturday morning (11th August) from the Town Centre Car Park in Banchory when the first of 90 cars will be flagged off from under the SRC arch.
Top seed, and leading the cars away, is the mercurial Jock Armstrong. The Subaru Impreza has been repaired and rebuilt since its ‘bump’ on the ‘Dunoon presents Argyll Rally’ six weeks ago and the Gallowegian is just raring to go.
Running at number two is Garry Pearson hoping to get his career back on track. He badly fractured his leg last Winter and has missed out on most of this season as he hobbled about the family business in Duns on crutches. A run out on the McDonald &Munro Speyside Rally earlier this year proved just one thing, he tried to return too early, and his ankle was still too weak to cope with the rigours of rallying.
At number three is current Championship points leader Andrew Gallacher, or should that be current ‘point leader’, as the gap between himself and Donnie MacDonald is down to one single solitary point? And with MacDonald running at number 5 he’ll be able to keep an eye on the pace that Gallacher is setting ahead of him.
Local drivers John Wink and Freddie Milne run at five and six with the ‘Banchory Bullet’ Bruce McCombie carrying number 7 on the Mitsubishi doors. McCombie lives so close to the Milton of Crathes Rally HQ and Service Area venue that a short leisurely stroll could take him back to his Mum’s hoose for lunch instead of queuing up for the burger van!
Mark McCulloch is next on the entry list and has switched mounts for this event, having given up on the Fiesta R5 and switched back to a Subaru Impreza. He gave the new car a run out at the Solway Coast Rally last weekend, and a good job he did so. The car bent a bottom arm on the first stage, but thereafter performed faultlessly last Saturday. So fingers crossed for this weekend – for everybody.
Programmes available from:
ABERDEEN:
Albyn Garage, Albyn Lane
Scotfab, Abbotswell Road
ISS Aberdeen, South College Street
Five Mile Garage, Kingswells
STONEHAVEN:
Connons, Allardice Street
Mill Inn Filling Station
Bike Remedy, Evan Street
BANCHORY:
Taylors of Banchory, High Street
Alan Scott, Bush Croft
Morrison’s Filling Station
INVERURIE:
Balgownie Equipment, Thainstone
Spectators:
Two locations have been provided for spectators in Fetteresso Forest and Durris Forest both accessible off the A57 Stonehaven to Crathes road, known locally as the Slug Road. Pack your picnic, wellies, sun cream and midge repellent and settle in for the day as the cars will visit each location twice. The organisers will be posting a map of these locations on their website (see below) but there will also be maps and details in the event Programme so try and get one of those and fill yourselves full of vital information. Parking will be available near each spectator area and will be access via forest gravel roads, so be careful. There will be a car parking charge with all proceeds to charity. Early arrival will ensure a shorter walk to the viewing points.
https://www.grampianforestrally.co.uk/spectators/where-to-watch/
Full Entry List
1, Jock Armstrong/Cameron Fair (Castle Douglas/Kilmarnock) Subaru Impreza, Class 10
2, Garry Pearson/Dale Bowen (Duns/Aberdare) Ford Fiesta R5, 11
3, Andrew Gallacher/Jane Nicol (Hurlford/Edinburgh) Ford Focus WRC, 11
4, Donnie MacDonald/Jamie Edwards (Inverness/Wrexham) Ford Fiesta R5, 11
5, John Wink/John Forrest (Huntly/Rothienorman) Hyundai i20 R5, 11
6, Freddie Milne/Patrick Walsh (Douglas/Aberystwyth) Subaru Impreza WRC, 11
7, Bruce McCombie/Michael Coutts (Banchory/Torphins) Mitsubishi Evo, 10
8, Mark McCulloch/Michael Hendry (Dumfries/Archiestown) Subaru Impreza, 10
9, Lawrence Whyte/Paul Beaton (New Aberdour/Inverness) Ford Fiesta, 11
10, Michael Binnie/Claire Mole (Cornhill-on-Tweed/Duns) Mitsubishi Evo9, 9
11, Barry McKenna/Arthur Kierans (Kelso/Kelso) Ford Fiesta, 11
12, Barry Groundwater/Ashleigh Will (Stonehaven/Inverurie) Mitsubishi Evo10, 10
14, Scott McCombie/Mark Fisher (Banchory/Workington) Mitsubishi Evo9, 10
15, Reay Mackay/Keir Beaton (Fort Augustus/Inverness) Ford Focus WRC, 11
16, Greg McKnight/Harry Marchbank (Penpont/Thornhill) Ford Escort, 8
17, Martin Scott/Daniel Forsyth (Banchory/Elgin) Mitsubishi Evo9, 9
18, Simon Hay/Calum Jaffray (Aberdeen/Torphins) Mitsubishi Evo6, 9
19, Brian Watson/Sean Donnelly (Kinneff/Elgin) Subaru Impreza S11 WRC, 11
20, Ian Baumgart/Martin MacCabe (Hawick/Glasgow) Subaru Impreza, 9
21, Alan Dickson/Martin Forrest (Glasgow/Bridge of Don) Mitsubishi Lancer Evo9, 10
23, Fraser Wilson/Craig Wallace (Port William/Kirriemuir) Mitsubishi Evo9, 9
24, Duncan MacDonald/Neil Ross (Portree/Portree) Ford Escort Mk2, 7
26, Chris Collie/Gary McDonald (Aberdeen/Aberdeen) Subaru Impreza, 9
27, John Rintoul/Ross Hynd (Lower Largo/Inverbervie) Skoda Fabia, 10
28, Fraser MacNicol/Graham Kelman (Ullapool/Elgin) Ford Escort Mk2, 4
29, Keith Morris/Terry Mallin (Aberdeen/Motherwell) Mitsubishi Evo6, 10
30, Sandy Arbuthnott/Ian Arbuthnott (Elgin/Forres) Ford Focus 4WD, 9
31, Niall Devine/Liam McIntyre (Strabane/Donegal Town) Mitsubishi Evo, 9
32, Paul McErlean/Niall McKenna (Bellaghy/Draperstown) Ford Escort Mk2, 7
33, Mat Smith/Giles Dykes (Thirsk/Barnard Castle) Ford Fiesta, 3
34, Angus Lawrie/Paul Gribben (Castle Douglas/Annan) Vauxhall Corsa, 3
35, John McIlwraith/Heather Grisedale (Canonbie/Workington) Subaru Impreza, 9
36, Ian Forgan/Chris Lees (Lundin Links/Hong Kong) Subaru Impreza, 10
37, Alasdair Currie /Grant MacNiven (Mull/Oban) Ford Fiesta, 6
38, Duncan Campbell/Michael Cruickshank (Mauchline/Crieff) Subaru Impreza, 9
39, Martin Craik/David Findlay (Methven/Blairgowrie) Subaru Impreza, 9
40, Mike Stuart/Sinclair Young (Alford/Lairg) Ford Escort, 7
41, Gordon Murray/David O’Brien (Perth/Duns) Ford Escort Mk2, 8
42, Keith Robathan/Phil Sandham (Aberdeen/Carnforth) BMW M3, 8
43, Tom Coughtrie/Ian Fraser (Ayr/Salen) Mitsubishi Galant VR4, 5
44, Willie Stuart/Peter Carstairs (Alford/St Andrews) Ford Escort, 7
45, Matthew Thomson/Ian Graham (Inverurie/Inverurie) Subaru Impreza, 9
46, Ian Archer/Megan Conway (Brechin/Kilkenny) Mitsubishi Evo9, 9
47, Finlay Retson/Tom Hynd (Blairgowrie/Inverbervie) Ford Fiesta R2, 3
48, Harry Chalmers/Andrew Logan (Alford/Inverness) Subaru Impreza, 9
49, Ronnie Horne/Ricky Finlayson (Nairn/Inverness) Subaru Impreza, 9
50, Steven Wood/Mary Wood (Inverness/Inverness) Ford Fiesta RWD, 7
51, Alex Pirie/Frazer Skene (Keith/Tomintoul) Skoda Felicia, 6
52, Ross Hughes/Steven Brown (Lanark/Fort William) Citroen C2 VTS, 3
53, Kevin Crawford/Claire Martin (Alford/Huntly) Mitsubishi Evo5, 9
54, John O’Kane/Meghan O’Kane (Kyle/Kyle) Ford Mk2 Escort, 4
55, Geoff Goudie/Murray Strachan (Califf/Inverurie) Subaru Impreza, 9
56, James Campbell/Kevin MacIver (Watten/Cruden Bay) Talbot Sunbeam, 2
57, Jim Robertson/Mike Curry (Penpont/Thornhill) Ford Escort Mk2, 4
58, Rhuaridh Campbell/Shaina Archibald (Glenshiel/Invermoriston) Chrysler Sunbeam , 7
59, Mike Moates/Kenny Foggo (Ellon/Munlochy) Subaru Impreza, 9
60, Tom Howie/Charlie MacKenzie (Black Isle/Gairloch) Talbot Sunbeam , 2
61, Donald Brooker/Rachel Booth (Ballater/Inverbervie) Subaru Impreza, 9
62, Grant MacRae/Martin Bruce (Portree/Portree) Ford Fiesta ST, 6
63, Colin Baxter/John Campbell (Tain/Invergordon) Ford Escort, 4
64, Jamie Stewart/Kevin Mollison (Blair Atholl/Alyth) Peugeot 205, 2
65, Scott Sloan/David Sloan (Dumfries/Dumfries) Peugeot 208, 3
66, Derek Connell/Laura Connell (Ayr/Ayr) Subaru Impreza, 9
67, Douglas Watt/Mark Grierson (Furnace/ Edinburgh) Ford Escort Mk2, 4
68, Scott Peacock/Robin Neil (Castle Douglas/Haugh of Urr) MG ZR, 1
69, Duncan Ferguson/Alex Murphy (Dalmellington/Patna) Ford Escort BDG, 5
70, Steven Bellshaw/Lorn Hughes (Fortrose/Inverness) Citroen C2 VTS, 3
71, John Brownie/Daniel Christie (Kintore/Insch) Opel Kadett C, 7
72, Niall Cowan Jnr/Thomas Bruce (Dumfries/Newton Aycliffe) MG ZR, 1
73, Colin Patterson/Gary Clark (Esbjerg/Alness) Ford Escort, 4
74, Adrian Stewart/Sue Hynd (Banchory/Inverbervie) Peugeot 205, 2
75, Neil Redford/Duncan Daun (Old Rayne/Rothienorman) Honda Civic Jordan, 3
76, Steven Crockett/Martin Henderson (Aberdeen/Aberdeen) Peugeot 205, 1
77, Caroline Carslaw/John Duke (Dunlop/Dunlop) Ford Fiesta R2, 3
78, Ian Milne/Sandy Milne (Brechin/Brechin) Ford Escort Mk2, 5
79, Drew Barker/Shona Hale (Kirkcaldy/Dunfermline) Citroen Kettle, 3
80, Graeme Morrison/Kyle Morrison (Memsie/Memsie) Ford Escort Mk 2, 7
81, Ryan Ingram/Stuart MacLean (Tobermory/Tobermory) Honda Civic, 3
82, Kevin Downes/Richard Wardle (Malton/Pickering) Mitsubishi Lancer Evo8, 10
83, Bobby Mitchell/Kevin Duggan (Dunbar) Ford Fiesta, 6
84, Ernie Lee/Ian Shiells (Methlick/Monikie) BMW 325i, 5
85, David Cameron/Douglas Cameron (Old Kilpatrick/Old Kilpatrick) Ford Escort Mk2, 5
86, Duncan MacLean/Ian Parker (Lochgilphead/Lochgilphead) Peugeot 106, 3
87, Nikki Addison/Rachel Matheson (Inverness/Beauly) Peugeot 106 GTI, 3
88, Chris Abel/Willie Philip (Banchory/Tarland) Renault Clio, 6
89, Johnnie Mackay/Rhys Stoneman (Newburgh/Swansea) Ford Fiesta ST, 6
90, Kevin Stout/Cameron Stout (Dunfermline/Dunfermline) Landrover Freelander, 10
91, Aileen Forrest/Pauline Patterson (Inverurie/Inverurie) Mitsubishi Evo5, 9