30 Apr: Grampian Rally Update

Stonehaven and District Motor Club, organisers of the Grampian Forest Rally are buoyed by recent developments in the planning of the event and are “confident of providing another top-class motorsport event” on 14th August.
 
Based at Crathes near Banchory, just 15 miles from Aberdeen, and using the Kincardineshire forests in a compact route, the Grampian Forest Rally will welcome both the British Rally Championship and KNC Groundworks Scottish Rally Championship, with the event in line to be the biggest motorsport event in the North East of Scotland this year.
 
As local restrictions have begun to ease, the event management team have been able to carry out valuable route surveys and with a strong event team in place, they are ahead of schedule for the rally to return having being forced to cancel in 2020 due to the COVID-19 pandemic.
 
“We are very encouraged by the latest developments in the local restrictions and where we are with our own planning of the Grampian Forest Rally,” says Clerk to Lord Lieutenant of Kincardineshire and Rally Secretary, Gordon Ritchie.
 
“Of course, like many events of this size we have been monitoring the situation closely regarding what we understand will be possible in August and are confident of providing another top-class motorsport event which is worthy of our Coogie Urquhart Trophy, received in 2019 for the best round of the Scottish Rally Championship”.
 
Whilst the popular Scottish Rally Championship has visited the event for many years, this will be the first time the British Rally Championship has had  a round in North East Scotland since the 1980’s and some of the best drivers in Europe will head to the region to contest iconic special tests such as Durris, Fetteresso and Drumtochty. 
 
A recent route survey has found the forests to be in fantastic condition and ready to welcome Britain’s elite drivers.
 
“It was encouraging to access the forests for our initial route surveys and find the forests in a really good state” continues Ritchie.
 
“We have always had great praise on the condition of our route and the stages are widely regarded as some of the best in Scotland, but it’s always nice to get that confirmation for ourselves. We are positive the stages will be a challenge for all competitors, new and old.
 
“The whole country has suffered greatly over the past 12 months and we are all feeling very positive that we can push ahead with the event as planned. Of course, we will adhere to all guidelines provided by the Scottish Government, Motorsport UK and Sport Scotland and abide by any restrictions imposed at the time but we can adapt to accommodate those. It will be a great boost to the whole community to have such a prestigious sporting series as the British and Scottish Championships coming to the county in August and we are sure there will be a thrilling battle in the forests for fans to witness”.

Website: www.grampianforestrally.com

KNC Groundworks Scottish Rally Championship: www.scottishrallychampionship.co.uk
British Rally Championship: www.britishrallychampionship.co.uk