Although the 2022 Armstrong Galloway Hills has had it’s issues before the event even begins the forests of Dumfries & Galloway could once again be the backdrop for several of the KNC Groundworks Scottish Rally Championship titles to be decided.
5 times champion David Bogie can wrap up a record 6th title in his home forests with his 5th win of the season. Closest challenger is Evo pilot Michael Binnie, the Mitsubishi rebuilt after it’s Grampian roll. If Michael can win the last 2 rounds with David coming 2nd the title would go to Binnie on the countback.
If these 2 slip up, upwards of 5 other drivers are still in with an outside chance of taking the title with 2 rounds remaining.
In the co-drivers contest Claire Mole only needs one 3rd place from the final 2 rounds to guarantee the championship. If that doesn’t happen things are opened up with Chris Lees, Drew Sturrock, Michael Hendry & Paul Gribben all still in with a shout.
In the Albyn Garage Challengers drivers standings Angus Lawrie can guarantee the title with another win. Willie Paterson still has a chance at the title, despite his Grampian accident, but needs wins and Angus to finish lower than 8th. If both ALM Evos fail to finish the last 2 rounds several 2wd competitors could capitalise.
Angus’s regular navigator Paul Gribben is the reigning Challengers champion and as such is ineligible for the title. That leaves several co-drivers in with a shout, headed up by Michael Cruickshank who is in yet another car for the Hills, the Ian Baumgart Impreza, in his quest to take the title.
Autoshop 2wd leaders Peter Stewart & Harry Marchbank need a win in their home territory to take the 2wd championship.
If the 208 suffers from major issues the Pinto powered Escort Mk2 team of Stuart Egglestone & Brian Hodgson can still take the Autoshop title.
Robert Proudlock needs only 4 points from the rest of the season to wrap up the Moates Offshore Junior title but both Justin Gunning & Meghan O’Kane can still take the win if that doesn’t happen.
In the co-drivers Shaina Archibald’s strong season in the passenger seat of Roo Campbell’s Sunbeam means she has become the 1st person to take a championship title in 2022.
Mike Moates & Gary McDonald need one more 2nd place to take the 5 Star Vehicle Deliveries Subaru Cup win.
Orrin McDonnell & Eoghan Anderson are the only ones who can deny them but need the blue Impreza to fail to finish on the last 2 rounds.
Steve Bannister is the champion elect in the Haddo Energy Super Seniors. If the famous white & red Escort hits trouble Alistair Brearley, Ernie Lee, Jim McDowall & Gordon Murray all still have outside chances at the win.
One of the closest battles is for the ladies title. Aileen Forrest’s purple Evo is still out of commission after it’s visit to the river on the Grampian. She will be out for the rest of the season in the ex-Kevin Downes Evo 8. Aileen sits at the top of the standings just 4 points clear of 2021 champion Ashleigh Morris. A collection of punctures on the Grampian meant Ashleigh couldn’t take full advantage of Aileen’s retirement, leaving Meghan O’Kane to take her 1st Ladies win. That leaves Meghan just 12 points behind Ashleigh and still in with a shout of both the Ladies & Juniors titles.
Seeded Entry List and updated Spectator information will be available on the event website at www.gallowayhillsrally.co.uk
Live results on the day can be viewed via http://gallowayhillsrally.co.uk/rally/rally-results/ and keep an eye on the SRC Facebook page later this week for details on times for live coverage from the stages next Saturday, 10th September.
Current Championship points tables can be viewed/downloaded from http://www.scottishrallychampionship.co.uk/src-points/current-standings/
