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Rally Preview Arnold Clark Thistle Snowman Rally, Inverness The Abominable Snowman Beckons I was digging out my furry boots while the wife was sewing ear muffs on to my bunnet when it dawned on me. No, it wasn't early morning, it was one of them brainwave things. I suddenly thought, the Motor Sports Association should have a Scottish branch. Our sport's governing body should realise that in these times of political local government delegation they should be doing the same, and giving us the power to look after ourselves. If they did, then us lot up here could make sensible rules. For instance, it's down to the MSA that competitors wear fire-proof socks and booties, fire-proof undies and suits, and fire-proof balaclavas and gloves. Now that's all right for folk who live in the south, and the MSA is based at Colnbrook which is near France, so they are much closer to the Mediterranean than we are. But here we are in the far north where the lochs are frozen, the mountains are white and it's cold enough to freeze the bollards off a traffic island - and they are worried about fire?! For goodness sake, the Highland Car Club members are out there just now digging Yeti traps to stop them being attracted to the forests when they hear the cars sing their winter songs. If a crew has a problem this weekend they'll be scared to get out of the car, not because of the fear of Yetis and migrating polar bears, but because of the cold. Their extremities might freeze and fall off. Going for a 'tinkle' in the frozen woods will be just that, a tinkle (think about it - oh, please yersels). No wonder this year's top seeds are worried. Last year's winners Reay MacKay and Robert MacDonald head the entry in this weekend's Arnold Clark Thistle Hotel Snowman Rally, but they face an even more difficult challenge than last year. They'll be running at number 1 instead of number 29 (which was a big help in the slushy conditions last year) and they'll be out in a Mitsubishi Lancer EVO7 instead of the Metro which is away getting some work done on it. In the absence of new Scottish Rally Champion David Bogie, Mike Faulkner and Jock Armstrong run behind MacKay. Mike finished runner-up in the Hankook series last year and Jock was actually one of the title favourites till his hiccup on the Gleanor Oils Speyside, so these two will be out for revenge. There's no Euan Thorburn either. He finished 3rd overall in the Championship last year, but like Bogie he is concentrating his attention on the British Championship this year, so without being partisan about it, here's hoping they head south and gub the English! Finishing fourth in the national series last year was Barry Groundwater and he's a late entry for this weekend so probably won't appear on any official entry list. He said he couldn't find his wallet - the wife had hidden her handbag! Anyway, he'll be slotted in somewhere, although running with number 4 on the door is Wayne Sisson. He's one of the more acceptable foreigners, as he comes from Carnbforth in Lancashire which is near enough for us to adopt him. He finished runner-up on the Scottish last year and fancies registering in the Scottish series to have a crack at the title this year. And we all love new blood, don't we? Rounding off the list of proven rally winners is Andy Horne. He won the Station Garage Granite City a couple of years ago in the Metro based DAM GTi but since then his 'lucky tyres' have worn out and the car's reliability has been abysmal - that means abominable, only worse. If those are the pre-event favourites what about the rest? Given what happened last year, there could well be some new names spraying champagne at the end of rallies this year. For instance, Shaun Sinclair upgraded to an EVO9 mid season last year and he finished the season ona full head of steam while young Alick Kerr made in an impressive and consistent debut in the all-wheel-drive club. Donnie MacDonald is also starting to look threatening, and if you want a real outside bet for glory, how about Dynamite David Wilson? He deservedly won the Colin McRae 'If in Doubt, Flat Out' award last year. Rounding off the top ten is Steven Campbell who finished second on the Snowman last year and will be keen to go one better but he'll come under pressure from the likes of Rory Young and John Morrison, Davie Hughes and one of last year's most consistent improvers, Craig McMiken. Ireland's Paul Cooke will provide an additional threat, but so too will Bruce McCombie too, first time out in a Subaru after his Ford Puma, and rallying returnee and Carlos Sainz lookalike, Walter Henderson. And then there's young Alasdair Graham. He's dabbled in 4WD over the past season so he should hit the ground running while Mark McCulloch will debut his new Subaru too. Another Subaru debutant who has shown a tasty turn of speed in the past is local driver Dougal Brown. Unfortunately, there's a distinct lack of MkIIs in the entry list with Malcolm Buchanan and the O'Donnell twins leading the two wheel drive charge but it will be interesting to see how the new Honda Civic Challenge compares with the rear wheel drive cars. Ross Hunter, Colin Smith and Graeme Schoneville are all pretty handy, so can front wheel drive challenge rear wheel drive in the snow? But don't just stand there watching the top seeds, hang around for the class runners and tail-enders. They can be every bit as entertaining as the guys at the front, and who knows, you might just spot another Colin McRae in the making. It was 24 years ago that our World Champion made his Championship debut on the Snowman and finished 27th overall in a 1600cc Sunbeam. Front runners will include the likes of Alasdair S Graham in the Corsa and Peter Taylor in the Fiesta, while in the Peugeot 205s it will be interesting to see how Garry Pearson and Steven Smith get on with the others. And no doubt there will be some new names coming through the ranks, I can't wait. But remember, take care out there, park sensibly and watch yersels walking in to and out of the stages. And please take your litter home for proper disposal. Scotland is lovely, keep it that way! ** Spectator Info: Rally Start, 09.00 Hrs, Inverness Thistle Hotel SS1, 09.18 Hrs, Girvan's Restaurant Meall Mor SS2, 10.30 Hrs, Highland Office Equipment Millbuie SS3, 12.20 Hrs, MRG Scotland Torr Achilty SS5, 14.42 Hrs, Keyline Scotsburn Rally Finish, (from) 15.50 Hrs, Inverness Thistle Hotel NOTE: Rally Programme contains detailed maps, full entry list and timetable - get one, either at the rally start or shops and service stations along the route! ** |