With less than three weeks to go until the RSAC Scottish Rally, final preparations are well underway for the 81-year-old event.
The Dumfries-based rally will take in challenging forest routes on Saturday, 29 June featuring talent from across the UK, as The Scottish Rally becomes once again a round of the MSA British Rally Championship following a seven-year break.
This year’s route will see competitors tackle stages at Windy Hill, Ae, Shaw Hill, Loch Grannoch, Clatteringshaws and the ever-popular spectator spot at Heathhall.
Dumfries and Galloway Council sponsors the rally for the seventeenth consecutive year, a partnership between a rally and a British local authority thought to be record breaking.
Ahead of the big day there will be a preview day on 22June on Dumfries High Street that will bring shoppers the opportunity to view cars and chat with local drivers about the rally.
Many entries have already been received for this year’s event with cars from across the globe coming to drive the Dumfries stages.
The Scottish Rally is the fourth round of the ARR Craib Scottish Rally Championship so spectators can expect a day of fast action, as at this point competition is tight at the top.
After winning the Jim Clark Reivers Rally on 2 June, Dumfries driver David Bogie has extended his lead in the Scottish Rally Championship.
Jonathan Lord, Clerk of the Course for the RSAC Scottish Rally, said: “This is the first time we have received online entries and we expect well more than one hundred crews to compete on 29 June.”
“This year we have changed the route and taken the stages to the west of Dumfries in the Clatteringshaws area. These are stages we haven’t used for about eight years so it will be a welcome change for drivers and spectators.”
“Comparing the performance of the top Scottish and top British drivers will be an interesting exercise on the day.”
Mark Taylor, Championship Manager for the BRC said: “It is great to be back in Dumfries and taking part in the RSAC Scottish Rally.“
“The rally has a long history of being one of the premier events in the UK and with continued support from Dumfries and Galloway Council, we are looking forward to working closely with the organisers in establishing its status as one of the very best.”
Councillor Finlay Carson, Events Champion for Dumfries and Galloway Council said:
“We are delighted to welcome the Scottish Rally to Dumfries and Galloway each year. It is fantastic news that this year’s event will be even bigger and will once again be part of the British Rally Championship.
“Dumfries and Galloway has a great history with the motorsport both in staging events and producing top International drivers in a range of disciplines. Dumfries & Galloway Council continue to support the Scottish Rally championship recognising the economic benefits the event brings to the area.”
Scott Grant, Service Manager Leisure & Sport at Dumfries and Galloway Council said: “Our Council’s Leisure & Sport team, working with the rally organising committee, is hoping that the inclusion of the British Championships will increase local interest significantly. With the Rally returning to stages in the West of the Region, this helps to draw in new local spectators as well as to the preview day.”
For more information go to www.scottishrally.co.uk
Hayley Parr, Press Officer, RSAC Motorsport
