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Rally News - February 10, 2009 Snowman Rally Programme now available: For a list of outlets, go to: Car parks have been arranged, but any last minute changes (weather!) will be announced on: S N O W M A N - - - P R E V I E W An avalanche of entries has hit next Saturday's Arnold Clark/Thistle Hotels Snowman Rally. Around 130 cars and crews are aiming to contest the first round of the new-look Hankook national series, and what a start to the season is in prospect. Last year's winner and current Scottish Champion, Jimmy Girvan, heads the entry in his Subaru Impreza N10, but will he run first on the road, or will he and other top seeds be hiding up side roads to let the unwary act as snowploughs? Unfortunately, Jimmy will be co-driven by Mike Ramsay in the absence of Kirsty Riddick. She has opted for the quiet life, alongside a clean living young man who has little to say for himself and doesn't drive too quickly - No luck there then Kirsty, eh? Andy Horne ( I can't wait to hear that minted V8 again) won't have things all his own way either, Reay MacKay has spent a banker's bonus (well, nearly) rebuilding his Metro 6R4. Frantic upended piggy bank shoogling has ensured that Calum MacKenzie will be there too, lining up along side Steve 'The Malton Missile' Bannister, John Crawford and the 'craic crackers' Frank Kelly and Adrian Heatherington all in Mark lls. But if it is snowy and difficult then the 1600 mob should be in with a serious shout this weekend, led by the likes of Bruce McCombie in the Puma and I wouldn't rule out Stewart Davidson in the Proton either. But if you think age, experience and talent will be enough this weekend, forget it, the weans are coming. Dave 'The Boy' Weston and Euan 'Hollywood' Thorburn should give the old-timers a fright. In the Brick & Steel 205 Ecosse Challenge we'll need to start up a creche at the Service Halts! At 17 and 16 years of age Garry Pearson and Ross Hynd are one of the youngest rally crews in Britain. Garry got his licence just in time for the Colin McRae Stages last year while Ross had been coached by his Dad, Tom Hynd. Despite that, Ross navigated his way round successfully! Graeme Schonville has re-shelled and rebuilt his 205 from last year and will be looking to improve on his 5th placed finish this coming season, but the likes of Scott Murray and John MacCrone will be up for the fight too. OAPs As Well And proving that age is no barrier to success in this game, Ivor Clark has pledged his Pension Book to the Bank, to run a Lancer this weekend in place of the Avenger while Ken Wood is bringing the Dolomite. And Moray Firth Radio's very own Tich McCooey has entered his garden shed, oops sorry, his Vauxhall Corsa, well he's not actually an OAP, he just looks the part! And then there's Mike Dymock in the dayglo Chevette and Walter (Louise' big brother) Aitken in his MkI being co-driven this weekend by young Martha Aitken (Louise' niece) who finished 116th overall and 4th in class on her first event as a driver on last weekend's Wyedean Rally in her wee Micra. The Route The Rally HQ starts from the Thistle Hotel at the ungodly hour of 9:00 am and after much chipping of ice from windscreens will lead the rallyists south on the A9 to the first stage, then back over the Kessock Bridge to the Black Isle and Strathpeffer, before the final two down towards Glen Affric and over the hill to Glenurquhart overlooking Loch Ness with the first of the survivors due to return to the Hotel for the finish shortly after 4.00 pm. Sh*t, I'm getting excited already, I can't wait, Yeeee-haaaa, let the good times rally. ( Full entry list on: www.snowmanrally.co.uk ) * * * * * |