The classes were as always well represented at the final round of the 2024 Asset Alliance Group Scottish Rally Championship, let’s catch up with those who came out on top.
Class C2
Scott Gourlay & Conor Gardiner endured another tough day in their 205, the opening loop saw a leaky heater matrix create a puddle at Scott’s feet and in turn steamed all the windows up. They nursed the car to service and got it sorted but were further delayed by a 2-minute penalty due to a timing error that wasn’t their fault. That dropped them from 15th to 19th in the overall standings at the finish.
Class C3
After their very difficult Snowman, John Brownie & Gordon Ritchie were looking to bounce back, armed with a new clutch assembly installed in the Kadett. It was a much more positive day out this time, battling all day for a place in the top 20. Eventually they had to settle for 25th overall and the C3 win.
Class C5
It was a more difficult day at the office for Mike Grant & Graham Kelman. A burst radiator pipe in stage 1 meant a roadside bodge had to be made before they tackled stage 2. Amazingly the improvised repair held but then Mike was startled when the steering wheel began to work itself loose. They managed a more solid radiator fix at service but the steering wheel continued to give bother for the rest of the day. They survived, grabbing 15th overall at the finish and the C5 win.
Class M4
Paddy Munro & Andrew Stevenson had both the 2wd and Challengers titles to fight for on the final round. There was a big slide in stage 1 that resulted in taking out a camera and tripod with the back end of the car but they were absolutely flying. 6th overall, 2nd 2wd car and top Challenger on the event was another excellent result although not enough to take either of the titles. They did do enough however, to take the M4 class title.
Class M5
Greg McKnight & Harry Marchbank were Paddy & Andrew’s 2wd championship opposition. Such was the pace of the 2 Escorts that they finished an amazing 5th and 6th overall with the yellow MK2 just beating the blue car by less than a minute at the finish. It was a nervy day for Greg & Harry, having to push hard to stay ahead of Paddy & Andrew without throwing it off the road. They managed exactly that, delighted to wrap up the 2wd title in their home forests and take the class M5 win.
Class M6
After a great run at the Snowman, Simon Hay & Calum Jaffray were keen to wrap up their year with another strong performance here. It was a good run for the Evo 6 crew, enjoying the slippy conditions to take their 2nd M6 win of the year by almost 4 minutes. 10th overall was a great way for the Challengers sponsor to round out the season, finally feeling they were back to the great form they showed a few years ago.
Class Pro2
Justin Gunning needed a good run to guarantee co-driver Michael Moates both the Moates Offshore Junior Navigator’s and the Pro 2 co-driver’s class titles. What followed was an excellent run, catching cars multiple times and flirting with the edges of the top 10 for the entire day, showcasing just how far they have come this year. 12th at the finish was an excellent way to round out the year and give Michael the navigator’s titles and take the Pro 2 class win on the event.
Class H2
Reigning Scottish champion David Henderson was making his 1st SRC start in his historic-spec Escort, navigated by Will Atkins. The opening loop was a struggle, losing the clutch early in SS1, having to force the gears in for the rest of the loop, causing some worries about the synchromesh gearbox. They followed that with a puncture in stage 3 but survived to give David maximum H2 driver’s points.
Mairi Riddick would take the H2 co-driver’s win alongside Donald Peacock. Donald & Mairi were absolutely flying in the morning, inside the top 10 in the historic Escort. Unfortunately for them, alternator problems stymied their attack in the afternoon and they began to slip back, still managing a solid 13th overall.
Class H1
After finding the Avenger to be a bit lacking in performance on big hills and fast straights on the Snowman, David McLeod & Eamonn Boyle had changed the crown wheel and pinion to help with the gearing. They were very happy with the results, really enjoying their run, particularly through the Ae stage. 14th overall and the H1 win was a great way to round out their 1st season in the Avenger.
