Organisers are delighted to announce that this year’s RSAC Scottish Rally will see a change in format for the 19th of May event to incorporate the new Rally2WD initiative on the Dumfries and Galloway based event.
After confirming the proposed route programme this week, crews will return to the classic forest tests in Eskdalemuir and Beattock which will consist of two separate events, with the two-wheel drive vehicles competing in the morning and four-wheel drive vehicles taking on the same route in the afternoon. Both categories are sure to receive a warm welcome from the residents of Moffat which will play host to the finish celebrations throughout the day.
The event will return to Lockerbie Lorry Park as the service and start venue with competitors heading out to tackle two loops through the Eskdalemuir stages of Twiglees and Castle O’er before heading back to service. They will then head towards Beattock to tackle stages at Rivox and Gill Knowe. These stages will share the same start location but will split to cover the different tests.
The third round of the ARR Craib MSA Scottish Rally Championship has received a welcome boost, as its relationship with South West Scotland has been secured with its designation as a Signature Event of Dumfries and Galloway Council. The Council will provide two year funding of £38,000 to the Rally and support joint marketing efforts with the Galloway Hills Rally.
Clerk of the Course, Jonathan Lord is pleased with the new-look event.
“We have listened to feedback from competitors and spectators and are pleased to be running in this exciting new split format that has been devised by the Rally2WD group to rekindle the sometimes falling numbers in the two-wheel drive fraternity.”
He continued, “As far as we are aware, we are the only Scottish Championship event to be running this way but a similar theme has been seen on selected events before and has worked very well. It is logistically challenging, but the organisers are meeting it head on and we believe it will offer competitors a truly excellent day of rallying across some great stages.”
After completing the stages, competitors will head to Moffat for the finish and champagne spraying.
Publicity co-ordinator, Craig Webster is pleased to see the rally return to the town for the podium celebrations.
“Moffat was the perfect backdrop to the finish of the British Rally Championship event last year and we couldn’t have asked for a warmer welcome. We have been working hard to ensure we have route that would see us able to return this year and we are looking forward to making it even more special, with two separate ceremonies for the two and four-wheel drive vehicles.”
Dumfries and Galloway Council’s Events Champion, Councillor Adam Wilson said, “The Scottish Rally is one of the most important sporting events to be held in our region each year and is the perfect showcase for our local stars to perform in. The Council has worked with organisers over the years to develop spectator facilities and encourage people to come out to the forests to enjoy seeing the Rally up close, and there are superb opportunities to do so at Rivox and Castle O’er. If you are looking for a fun and affordable day out in May get along to the Scottish Rally.”
Sadly, the previously used Ae complex is unavailable due to larch infection and organisers added that they were disappointed to have lost the opportunity to compete in the forest. There will however be spectator viewing areas on the Rivox stage and at Castle O’er as in previous years. Work is also well in hand to create an official spectator viewing area in Twiglees for the first time.
More information on the event can be found at www.scottishrally.co.uk and event regulations will be released in the coming weeks. Keep up to date with event information via social media:
www.facebook.com/scottishrally and www.twitter.com/scottishrally
