… RSAC Scottish Rally Rally, Sat 18 May …
Rd3 (of 6) – KNC Groundworks Scottish Rally Championship …
In the two rounds of this year’s KNC Groundworks Scottish Rally Championship so far we’ve seen Scotland (and bits of England!) at its worst and at its best, so goodness knows what we will get this coming Saturday on the RSAC Scottish Rally, so bring your wellies and sun cream.
Heading the entry list are Euan Thorburn and Paul Beaton with six wins from six outings (SRC and BTRDA) so far this year and the chase is on to make it seven in a row this coming Saturday. On the other hand, David Bogie regards this as ‘home’ turf and he will undoubtedly be keen to bring ET’s winning run to an end. Last time out on the Speyside Stages it looked as though he had victory in the bag, but the Skoda broke its steering and gifted victory to Thorburn’s Focus WRC.
But if you think the rally is just about these two, forget it. Jock Armstrong’s Subaru Impreza may be outgunned by the more modern machinery, but in the unpredictable Armstrong hands, anything is possible.
Behind Armstrong are the Fiesta R5s of Garry Pearson and Donnie MacDonald. Garry will be hoping for a better result this weekend after sliding off the road on the Speyside while Donnie will be keen to get his season back on track after a non-finish on the Border and an ‘off’ on Speyside.
Getting more familiar with his new Focus WRC on each outing is Bruce McCombie but there will be another R5 kid on the block this weekend as Freddie Milne swaps his Mitsubishi for a Fiesta. He had an encouraging trial run out on the Plains Rally last weekend before brake failure sidelined him so he’ll be hoping for a more reliable run this weekend. Michael Binnie, John Wink and Iain Bainbridge complete the top ten line-up.
Iain Wilson and Chris Williams head the 2WD line-up which runs first on the road ahead of the 4WD brigade. Iain lost out on Speyside with clutch failure so he’ll be keen to make amends but will have to contend with the fervent attentions of similarly Mk2 mounted Duncan MacDonald and Paul McErlain.
We should also see a resumption of the BMW battle between Keith Robathan and Mark McCulloch. Despite his lack of familiarity with the Car, Mark wasn’t far off Keith’s pace on the Speyside.
For auld gits and nostalgias fans, there’s a whole flock of Escorts amongst the Historic entries which includes Steve Magson’s Mercedes-Benz, and that’s well worth seeing in the woods!
Speaking of auld gits Donald Peacock Snr and Niall Cowan Snr have both entered and their primary threats come from the weans, Scott Peaock Jnr and Niall Cowan Jnr. So there will be plenty of variety to see and cheer on.
The rally gets underway on Saturday morning from Moffat High Street at 09:00 Hrs when the 2WD cars lead off the 80 plus field to the first of the day’s 6 stages around Ae and Eskdalemuir. First car is expected back at the Moffat finish around 16:00 Hrs.
As is the way of things these days, spectating is limited, so don’t blame the organisers. That was all down to the actions of someone who should have known better. Hopefully these restrictions may be eased in the future but for the moment don’t do anything to antagonise the Officials and Marshals.
Special Stages 2 & 6, Castle O’er: First Cars Due 10:20 & 15:00 Hrs
Parking is available within the forest. Approach via the B723 from Lockerbie or Eskdalemuir and turn into the forest as shown on the map. Care – this is also the competitor access to the stage. Turn right again to the car park area. There is limited parking overlooking the stage for early birds. Please park sensibly to one side of the road. Exit the car park by the same route – please give way to competitors on your way out. The viewing area is beside the car park. Please do not attempt to cross the burn as this is a prohibited area for safety reasons.
Special Stage 4, Solwayprint Ae: First Car Due 12:40 Hrs
Arrive early for the best vantage point and parking space. Parking is at the Ae picnic area from where you can walk to the popular viewing area at a tight hairpin left. Follow the unclassified road from Ae Bridgend on the A701, keep straight on through the crossroads at Ae Village and then look out for the forestry signs to the Ae Valley car park on your right.
The area will be very busy. Please drive slowly and with caution, particularly through Ae Village. Do not use the unclassified road from Parkgate.
There is NO access at all to the Ae stage through Gubhill Farm. Anyone attempting access via this route will be reported to the police and the stage will be cancelled.
Please do not attempt to reach any locations other than those shown on the website.
Please park sensibly.
Do not obstruct public roads or access for emergency vehicles, residents and other members of the public.
Please take all your litter home and leave the stages as you’d like to find them next year.
On-Line maps of Spectator Venues here:
http://www.scottishrally.co.uk/spec_zones/
4WD Entries
1, David Bogie/John Rowan (Dumfries/Clady) Skoda Fabia R5, 1600cc, Class 11
2, Euan Thorburn/Paul Beaton (Duns/Inverness) Ford Focus WRC, 2000, 11
3, Jock Armstrong/Cameron Fair (Castle Douglas/Stewarton) Subaru Impreza, 1998, 10
4, Garry Pearson/Dale Bowen (Duns/Aberdare) Ford Fiesta R5, 1600, 11
5, Donnie MacDonald/Andrew Falconer (Inverness/Inverness) Ford Fiesta R5, 1600, 11
6, Bruce McCombie/Michael Coutts (Banchory/Torphins) Ford Focus, 2000, 11
7, Freddie Milne/Patrick Walsh (Aberdeen/Aberystwyth) Ford Fiesta R5, 1600, 11
8, Michael Binnie/Claire Mole (Cornhill-on Tweed/Duns) Mitsubishi Evo9, 2000, 9
9, John Wink/Neil Shanks (Huntly/Elgin) Hyundai i20 R5, 11
10, Ian Bainbridge/Mark Fisher (Darlington/Workington) Subaru Impreza, 1998, 10
11, Scott Macbeth/Daniel Forsyth (Aberdeen/Elgin) Mitsubishi Evo 9, 1998, 10
12, Chris Collie/Gary McDonald (Castle Douglas/Aberdeen) Mitsubishi Evo8, 2000, 10
14, Thomas Gray/Harry Marchbank (Tore/Thornhill) Mitsubishi Evo9) 2000, 9
15, Alan Dickson/Martin Forrest (Glasgow/Bridge of Don) Mitsubishi Evo9, 2000, 10
16, Keith Morris/Terry Mallin (Aberdeen/Motherwell) Mitsubishi Evo6, 1999, 10
17, Ian Baumgart/Sinclair Young (Hawick/Lairg) Subaru Impreza , 1998, 9
18, John McIlwraith/Jonathan Fowler (Canonbie/Brampton) Subaru, Impreza, 1999, 9
19, Kevin Crawford/Andrew Stevenson (Alford/Elgin) Mitsubishi Evo 9, 1997, 10
20, Robert Adamson/Jane Nicol (Moscow/Edinburgh) Skoda Fabia S2000, 1998, 10
21, John Rintoul/Ross Hynd (Lower Largo/Inverbervie) Skoda Fabia, 2500,
22, Stuart Irvine/Marc Irvine (Erskine/Bishopton) Mitsubishi Evo 7, 1997, 10
23, Tom Coughtrie/Ian Fraser (Ayr/Salen) Mitsubishi Galant VR4, 2025, 5
24, Max Redpath/Callum Redpath (Duns/Duns) Subaru Impreza, 2000, 9
25, Mike Moates/Michael Moates (Ellon/??) Subaru Impreza, 1999, 9
26, Sandy Arbuthnott/Ian Arbuthnott (Elgin/Forres) Ford Focus, 2000, 9
27, William Whyte Nicoll/Ian Shiells (Brechin/Monikie) Mitsubishi Evo6, 2, 9
28, Jan Budge/Bruce Lindsay (Thatcham/Thirsk) Subaru Impreza, 1998, 9
29, Paul Collins/Robert Wood (??/??) Subaru GC8, 20, 9
30, Iain MacDonald/Derek Campbell (Moy/Edinburgh) Subaru Impreza, 2500, 9
31, Aileen Forrest/Paul Cummins (Inverurie/Wishaw) Mitsubishi Evo5, 1997, 9
2WD Entries (Running first on road)
32, Iain Wilson/Chris Williams (Dalbeattie/Millom) Ford Escort Mk2, 2100, 8
33, Duncan MacDonald/Neil Ross (Portree/Portree) Ford Escort Mk2, 2000, 7
34, Paul McErlean/Niall McKenna (Bellaghy/Draperstown) Ford Escort Mk2, 2000, 7
35, Roger Chilman/Paul Morris (Hereford/Ross on Wye) Ford Escort, 1975, 5
36, Gordon Murray/David O’Brien (Perth/Duns) Ford Escort Mk2, 2300, 8
37, Keith Robathan/Steven Brown (Aberdeen/Fort William) BMW M3, 2998, 8
38, Mark McCulloch/Michael Hendry (Dumfries/Archiestown) BMW E30, 2800, 8
39, Fraser MacNicol/Ricky Finlayson (Ullapool/Inverness) Ford Escort Mk2, 2000, 4
40, Paddy Munro/Keir Beaton (Kyle/Inverness) Ford Escort Mk2, 1800, 4
41, Steve Magson/Miles Cartwright (Pickering/??) Mercedes 190e 2.3 16v, 2299, 8
42, Barry Lindsay/Caroline Lodge (Carlisle/Brampton) Peugeot 206 Cup Car, 1587, 3
43, A Douglas Watt/Ian Parker (Furnace/Lochgilphead) Ford Escort Mk2, 2000, 4
44, Carl Tuer/Rob Tuer (Alnwick/Alnwick) Suzuki Swift Maxi 2000, 1998, 6
45, David Brown/Steve Bielby (Pickering/Kirbymisperton) Ford Escort Mk2, 1998, 5
46, Scott Sloan/David Sloan (Dumfries/Dumfries) Peugeot 208, 1600, 3
47, Dave Forrest/Jamie Forrest (Shipley/Keighley) Ford Escort, 1998, 5
48, Jude MacDonald/Michael Cruickshank (Inverness/Crieff) Skoda Fabia R2, 1598, 3
49, Jim Robertson/Mike Curry (Penpont/Thornhill) Ford Escort, 1998, 5
50, Michael Renton/Jamie MacTavish (Bonar Bridge/Leeds) Peugeot 306, 1998, 6
51, Stuart Cariss/Linda Cariss (York/York) Ford Escort Sport, 1600, 5
52, James Campbell/Kenny Foggo (Wick/Inverness) Talbot Sunbeam, 1600, 2
53, Gina Walker/Richard Simmonds (Duns/Duns) Citroen C2, 1600, 3
54, Jamie McIntyre/Gerry Bryden (Sorn/Sorn) Ford Escort Mk2, 2498, 8
55, William Pollock/Helen Brown (Cumnock/Auldgirth) Ford Escort Escort Mk1, 1998,
56, Terry Cree/Richard Shores (Thirsk/Thirsk) BMW 2002ti , 1998, 5
57, Walter Henderson/Jim Kinloch (Carnwath/Carnwath) Ford Escort, 1993, 5
58, Niall Cowan Jnr/Thomas Bruce (Dumfries/Durham) MGZR, 1398, 1
59, Scott Peacock/Robin Neil (Castle Douglas/Haugh of Urr) MG ZR, 1400, 1
60, Donald Peacock/Donnchadh Burke (Castle Douglas/Dunmanway) Peugeot 205GTI, 1600, 2
61, Mike Reed/David Shepherd (Beverley/Beverley) Ford Escort Mk2, 1993, 5
62, Paul Rawson/Andy Hutchinson (Bradford/Bishop Auckland) Ford Escort, 1600, 2
63, Alistair Brearley/Paul Barbet (Galashiels/Chester) Ford Mk2 Escort RS, 1998, 7
64, Niall Cowan Snr/Callum Shanks (Dumfries/Castle Douglas) MG ZR, 1598, 3
65, Johnnie Mackay/Richard Crozier (Newburgh/Kinross) Ford Fiesta ST, 1999, 6
66, Linzi Henderson/Craig Wallace (Carnwath/??) Ford Fiesta R2, 1000, 6
67, Fraser Smith/Duncan Daun Houston/??) Honda Civic, 1600, 3
68, Caroline Carslaw/Charley Sayer-Payne (Dunlop/Glasgow) Ford Fiesta R2, 1600, 3
69, Thomas A Heard/Iain McCutcheon (Jedburgh/Hawick) Ford Escort, 2000, 7
70, Ben Jemison/James Dixon (York/Selby) Vauxhall Chevette, 2300, 5
71, Rhuaridh Campbell/Phil Sandham (Glenshiel/Bolton Le Sands) Chrysler Sunbeam, 2000, 7
72, Ernie Lee/Patricia Milligan (Ellon/Ellon) BMW 325i, 2490, 5
73, Ian Milne/Dawn Milne (Brechin/Brechin) Ford Escort Mk2, 1998, 5
74, Chris Lawson/Richard Wardle (Ampleforth/Pickering) Vauxhall Corsa, 1600, 3
75, Nikki Addison/Rachel Matheson (Inverness/Beauly) Peugeot 106 GTI, 1600, 3
76, David Mcleod/Eamonn Boyle (Mauchline/Kilmarnock) Chrysler Sunbeam, 2000, 7
77, Alan McMorran/Albert Connelly (Castle DouglasCastle Douglas) Chrysler Avenger, 1598, 2
78, Bryan Gourlay/Scott Gourlay (Colvend/Dalbeattie) Peugeot 205 GTI, 1580, 2
81, Barry Connolly/Matt Gudgeon (Rosslea/Goole) Land Rover Wolf XD, 2500, LR
82, Keith Harvey/Danny Hedges (Redditch/Pocklington) Land Rover Wolf XD, 2500, LR
83, Wayne Thompson/Matt Duncan (Lisburn/Stafford) Land Rover Wolf XD, 2500, LR
84, Tyrone Westall/Fred Richardson (Northampton/Dulverton) Land RoverWolf XD, 2500, LR