A unique “over and under bridge” will form the centrepiece of a super special stage to mark the 40th anniversary of the Armstrong Galloway Hills Rally on Sunday, October 27th.
The 1.5 mile test – located in Auchenlosh quarry on the outskirts of Dalbeattie – will provide the main spectator focus for the Castle Douglas-based event, which, for the first time, counts as the final round of the ARR Craib MSA Scottish Rally Championship.
Competitors will make two runs through the stage, which has been designed by event sponsor Jock Armstrong and sister Barbara, a double British Ladies rally champion:
“We wanted to create something totally different to mark the rally’s 40th year, as well as its inclusion in the SRC,” said Jock: “The super special stage will take place in a quarry owned by our co-sponsors Armstrong Waste Management Ltd. With the addition of the bridge it’s like a giant Scalextric set! I can’t think of any other event in the country with a feature like this, and I guarantee it’ll provide a fantastic experience for competitors and a thrilling spectacle for fans. Something for all the family to enjoy”.
In total, competitors will tackle forty stage miles on some of the most challenging – and rewarding – forest roads in south-west Scotland.
Conscious of keeping costs down to a minimum, the organising committee has worked hard to keep the event as compact as possible, with only 90 road miles between stages, and central servicing.
Competitors will be able to complete the pre-event formalities either on the Saturday afternoon/evening or Sunday morning.
The rally, which is promoted jointly by Solway, Machars and East Ayrshire car clubs, has had long-term support from Stena Line for more than thirty years, allowing the event to offer discounted sailings to Irish competitors.
With the first car due to arrive back at the finish in Castle Douglas well before 3pm, and excellent ferry package deals from Ireland, there’s never been a better time to head to Galloway for a great end to a great rallying season!
Supplementary Regulations are now available to download and entries open on Saturday September 14th.
Full details can be found at www.gallowayhillsrally.co.uk as well as on the event’s official Facebook page,www.facebook.com/gallowayhillsrally or Twitter feed, @GallowayHills.