The Virtual Snowman ‘Rallython’ 2021 – March 6th
March 6th 2021 should have been the day that the Highland Car Clubs Snowman Rally once again roared into life in the forests of the North of Scotland, kicking off the Scottish Rally Championship year and entertaining the thousands of spectators who follow it each year.
The Coogie Urquhart Snowman in 2020 was held shortly before the pandemic and in doing so became the only gravel rally event to have been held in Scotland last year. But the ongoing pandemic and its restrictions this year, have made it impossible to run the Snowman Rally for only the third time in its sixty-six years of history.
When the Highland Car Club committee met (online of course!) to discuss the inevitable event cancelation, they had the idea not to let the pandemic beat them – and turn a negative situation into a positive one.
And this is where the idea came instead to host a very special and unique Snowman Rally event – a full day of online activity to celebrate all six decades of Snowman Rally’s, and all those who have been involved during those years – all to raise funds for charities who need help to support those most in need during this pandemic.
The ‘Virtual Snowman Rallython 2021’ is packed full of unique activities that celebrate the history and stories from over six decades of the rally. From the clubman competitors that are the core of the Snowman Rally – to the Champions who have competed over the years and thrilled us, to all those people whose involvement in running the rally has made the event possible and to become one of the UKs longest running and most iconic rallies.
Over the years the Snowman has established itself as the traditional start of season event in the Scottish Rally Championship and has always been one of the most popular events in the series, attracting entries not only from the Highlands, but from across Scotland and beyond.
The Snowman rally has always had the interests of the clubman competitors deep in its routes and its history, but the event has also through the years attracted many high-profile competitors and teams who have gone onto success in the elite levels of the sport including two competitors who went onto be future world champions.
On the day the event will have unique ‘Snowman Rally’ contributions which include interviews with rallying legends such as Ari Vatanen, Jimmy McRae, David Richards, Alistair McRae, Andy Dawson, John Davenport, David Sutton, David Nicolson and Frank Kelly to name just a few, as well as contributions from many SRC and local competitors from over the years.
The Snowman however goes beyond just the competitors, its success has also been down to the organisers behind the scenes, the marshals who have helped the event run smoothly, the service crews who kept the competitors going, and the thousands of spectators who each year flock to the stages and create the special atmosphere that accompanies the event. Throughout the day these ‘champions’ will also be celebrated with many stories and features.
Throughout the day there will also be lots of rarely seen photos, videos and special articles posted from the various decades, as well as many unique features and activities specially made for the day which include:
- A Virtual Snowman Rally ‘DIRT’ competition event which sees over a hundred competitors across three classes take part in an online rally.
- A limited-edition HCC Snowman Rally T Shirt from the 1976 event, which has been personally endorsed by Ari Vatanen, featuring the famous Maurice Selden photo of Ari competing in that year’s event.
- A blind auction of two original prints of the Ari Vatanen photo, and a spectacular one of Colin McRae’s first WRC victory in New Zealand. These original prints have been kindly donated and signed by Maurice himself, and will feature as a blind auction on the day to raise money for the charities.
The day is also importantly about everyone’s participation, sharing stories, photos or videos, through the Highland Car Club Facebook page for all to enjoy – and all to help raise funds through a ‘Virtual Snowman Rallython just giving page’ for the good causes that are being supported to help those most affected by the COVID 19 pandemic.
A full digital programme of the event will be shared in the days leading up to the event – giving more details of what promises to be an action-packed spectacular day, with a lot of fun and all for good causes who greatly need support in these times.
Being an online event – the Highland Car Club looks forward to welcoming all rally fans, from wherever they are to join the event virtually to celebrate the iconic Snowman Rally.
To find out more about the event and to participate in the day on March 6th, sign up to follow The Highland Car Club Snowman Rally Facebook page.