The Beatson’s Building Supplies Jim Clark Reivers Rally was decided by just 3.3 seconds at the end of the six stage event. Local star Euan Thorburn and regular navigator Paul Beaton wrapping up a very successful weekend in their VW Polo R5 by taking the win ahead of David Henderson and Chris Lees in their Rally 2 Fiesta.
Thorburn and Beaton opened the day with a fastest time, four and a half seconds quicker than the Fiesta crew. David and Chris took two seconds back over stages two and three to head into the mid-way service only two and a half seconds down on the Polo.
Back out for the second loop and Thorburn and Beaton immediately struck the decisive blow. The Polo absolutely flying on the second run of Westruther, beating the bogie time by five seconds, Henderson and Lees dropping six seconds to the Polo on that stage.
The Fiesta was back on top of the time sheets on the final two stages to close the gap to 3.3 seconds at the finish. This gave Paul maximum co-driver’s points with David taking the SRC driver’s win. A great battle between the 2 crews at the top.
51 seconds back, Hugh Brunton and Drew Sturrock came out on top of a big battle for third place. Hugh and Drew very encouraged with their performance after a difficult start to their SRC season and considering their car was still on a 32mm restrictor. This gave Hugh 2nd driver’s points and Drew 3rd in the co-drivers.
Rory Young and Allan Cathers took 4th on the event, ten seconds behind the Fabia at the finish. The Citroen crew surviving a big moment very close to car preparer Dom Buckley’s base during the day. Rory declared he was getting too old for the pace at the top but he took 3rd driver’s points with Allan 4th in the co-driver’s.
Top Autoshop 2 wheel drive, top Albyn Garage Challenger and top Moates Offshore Junior all went to the same crew. Archie Swinscoe and Jane Nicol making their 1st SRC start of the season and absolutely flying in their Vauxhall Adam R2. After an excellent run on the National they continued the momentum on the Reivers, the only issue was a dodgy handbrake making some of the tight junctions tricky. 15th overall was an excellent result. Archie giving special thanks to Robert Proudlock’s team for helping them sort a broken steering rack overnight.
After a disastrous start to his season Jordan Anderson finally turned his luck around. With Harry Stubbs alongside for the 1st time the red Impreza visited a field in the morning with an overshoot, thankfully without damage. The afternoon was solid as Jordan learned about the car’s ability on tarmac, taking the Groundwater Lift Trucks Subaru Cup win.
Taking his 1st Haddo Energy Super Seniors win of the season it was a successful weekend for Richard Stewart in the 208. With Mark Roberts in the hotseat this time out Richard had run well on the National event and continued that momentum on the Reivers. There was a big wobbly moment after a jump on the opening loop but they survived to finish an excellent 45th overall.
The Ladies contest turned out to be very close. Meghan O’Kane taking her 1st win of the season behind the wheel of her Dad’s Impreza for the 1st time, despite no anti-lag and concerns over the gearbox. Meghan really enjoying her 1st experience of 4wd, so much so that she might not give the car back to her Dad. Meghan & John finishing just 9 seconds up on Aileen & John Forrest. Aileen had a moment at the jump that claimed Garry Pearson and a time consuming 3 point turn at one of the tight junctions in the afternoon and was quick to congratulate Meghan at the finish. Hopefully the battle continues to be as close for the rest of the season.
images courtesy of AF Motorsport Media
