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Rally News - June 14, 2009
Threat to McRae Rally?
Well, maybe not. But 16 of Perth & Kinross District Council’s Traffic Wardens are being kitted out with headcams.
The video equipment, costing £25,000, will be used to record confrontations in which parking attendants are assaulted or subjected to abusive behaviour and will provide what the authority claims will be an "extra degree of security".
What next? In Edinburgh, the ‘Blue Meanies’ have access to DNA swabbing kits because staff have been spat on by angry drivers!
P&K Councillor John Kellas said: "The purpose is not to seek prosecutions against people or anything like that. The purpose is to improve relations between the wardens and the public. This equipment will provide corroborative evidence of verbal abuse or threatening behaviour towards these employees as well as a record, while they are carrying out their duties, of any direct contact with members of the public which may subsequently be subject to dispute."
So, if you’re coming to Perth this year for the McRae, now’s your chance to star on YouTube, have an altercation with a parkie! But here’s another thought. While these headcams are being trialled at other cities south of the border, did the authorities up here ever give additional consideration to that most favoured mode of settling an argument in Scotland – the Glasgow kiss? I wonder how much it costs to replace broken headcams?
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Intercontinental Rally Challenge Route Announced
The Royal Automobile Club Motor Sports Association has announced the route for this year’s Rally of Scotland on November 19 to 21.
There will be a Ceremonial Start at Scone Palace, Perth, on the evening of Thursday, 19 November followed immediately by two special stages in the grounds. Service will be at Blair Castle (twice) on Friday 20 and in the centre of Stirling on Saturday 21 November. Overnight Parc Ferme is based at Stirling on the Friday night and will provide the service area for the Saturday run.
The first ‘proper’ stage is at Craigvinean, followed by Blackcraigs, Errochty, Drummond Hill and back to Craigvinean.
On Saturday the rally heads towards the Trossachs, more used to dog-walkers and off-road cyclists these days, with the first stage at Achray, then Fairy Knowe, Loch Ard and back to Achray, Fairy Knowe and Loch Ard for a second loop.
The Ceremonial Finish will be held on Stirling Castle esplanade – and it will be FREE to spectators!
Which brings us to the most contentious part of this event on Scottish soil. Spectators will be charged to go and watch.
A three day pass will cost £50 for adults and £25 for children provided you book in advance. Tickets bought on the day will be more expensive.
Tickets can be purchased through the website: www.rallyofscotland.com. or by calling the ticket hotline on 0844 847 2488 or in person at Barrhead Travel in Edinburgh, Glasgow (Oswald Street), Stirling and Dundee.
Already, the peasants are showing revolting signs. To stage an event of this magnitude will require huge numbers of Marshals. So who is going to police the spectator car parks and spectator areas and how will others be prevented from gaining access to the stages? Jaggy has already heard that some Scottish clubs are refusing to supply officials, although some interest has been expressed by clubs from down south. Trouble is, volunteers will need to take a full week off (in November?) not just to officiate at the rally, but to cover two days for the recce.
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Crooked - in more ways than one!
At the recent Scottish Juniors Practice Day at Valley International Park (where eagles dare) in Crossford, Big Jim was spotted hobbling about on sticks with a big stookie on his foot. Listening to Big Jim’s version of events is highly entertaining – but regarded with varying degrees of scepticism and disbelief by the rest of the populace.
Apparently a sheep was involved in the incident. As you can imagine this immediately prompted huge doubts accompanied by various flights of fancy and imagination. The tale has grown hugely in the re-telling over recent days, accompanied by much lubrication of the throat across the way in the local watering hole, ‘The Tilly’.
However, it would appear that whilst mending the fences in one of the paddocks, aided (or hindered?) by the weans (the Smith boys!), Big Jim slipped and fell on the wet grass. Hoots of hysterical laughter greeted the sight of Big Jim lying there on the grass with a suspected broken ankle.
Unfortunately, the noise attracted the interest of the paddock inhabitants including one carnaptious auld yow who has caused trouble in the past and who also objects to being penned up.
Well, it saw its chance. Its nemesis was lying helpless on the ground – so it charged. Batter! It gave BJ a fearful clout and then drew back for another. As for the weans, they had scattered, leaving BJ to fend for himself.
The yow got in another couple of good hits before Jim was able to reach a fence rail - and purely in the interests of self-defence, gave it a clout on the nut when it drew back for another run!
Once it realised the Estate Manager was now armed and dangerous, the yow trotted off to wreak havoc elsewhere.
So please, no more jokes about wellies, and no more wise ewephemisms, this injury has had serious ramifications on Jim’s employment! Look out for the full story soon on EweTube.
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There are Lies, Damned Lies and then there are Statistics!
The only time I believe statistics is when they support my own personal opinion. It’s not that Jaggy is always right, it’s just that he's never wrong.
That means if someone produces statistics with which I disagree, then I treat them with scorn. I always look for excuses. How big was the sample? Who did they consult? Who sponsored the exercise? How many folk told them to get lost when approached? You know the sort of thing.
Anyway, the latest statistics to cross Jaggy’s desk came from the Environmental Transport Association (ETA) who claimed that drivers in Scotland are the least stressed and least inclined to shout at other motorists.
On the other hand, the report added that they were the most likely to become involved in a physical altercation! Naturally, I found this rather hard to believe - and if you disagree I’ll come over there and punch your lights out.
However, the report found that the most stressed drivers in Britain are those in the Midlands and Wales, while more Londoners have had their car deliberately rammed than anyone else.
The results of this survey have led the ETA to conclude that aggressive driving not only adds to road danger, but lowers fuel efficiency. There is no mention of the additional costs incurred by the NHS in treating black eyes and stemming copious nose bleeds. Anyway, I just thought you’d like to know that.
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