One of the longest-running stage rallies in the UK, the RSAC Scottish Rally will take place on 20th July and 2024 sees the prestigious event get underway for the 78th time in its history.
And for over a third of that tenure, the popular event has taken place in the county of Dumfries and Galloway, with the region set to host the rally for the 27th time. First run in 1932, the RSAC Scottish Rally has been a staple of the British rallying calendar and this year, will once again welcome a series of top-line rally series to the event.
In 2023, a revised format saw the rally move from its Lockerbie base to the `Granite Town` of Dalbeattie in south west Scotland, opening up a host of new stages and opportunities for the ever-progressive event.
Now it returns to its new home just 20 minutes West of Dumfries, with the facilities at Jas P Wilson Forest machines in Dalbeattie offering the ideal base for the highly anticipated rally. In a new move for this year, High Street in the town will be closed on Saturday [20 July] afternoon and the centre will provide the perfect venue for the ceremonial finish, awards and champagne celebrations after a tough day in the forests, bringing the rally into the heart of the community and townsfolk.
Dumfries and Galloway Council have long been loyal supporters of the rally, with this year marking the 27th anniversary of the partnership which is understood to be the longest-running partnership between a rally and a local authority anywhere in Britain. The rally forms one of the Council’s seven ‘signature events`, which cover everything from Burns Suppers to arts festivals and World Championship Ice Hockey each year.
Officially launched on Wednesday [26 June], with members of the organising team, Dalbeattie Primary School and competition cars from the MG3 Rally Challenge and Scottish F1000 Junior series, the rally is delighted to return to Dalbeattie for a second year and Clerk of the Course Jonathan Lord believes the town and surrounding region fit the event perfectly.
“Dumfries and Galloway are undeniably the perfect host to the RSAC Scottish Rally and you only have to look at the length of the partnership with the Council to understand that our relationship is extremely strong” he says.
“The support of the local community and authorities is second to none and everyone really gets involved with the rally. The likes of the Dalbeattie Initiative are a pillar of the event and even Dalbeattie Primary School take part in a rally-themed colouring competition. Major employers in the area Jas P Wilson Forest Machines are immensely supportive and provide the rally base, plus they will be assisting in transporting spectators into the stages to watch the action.
“Organising a rally of this size is no mean feat but being in Dumfries and Galloway makes our job so much easier. It’s really our spiritual home and I`m very excited to get this year’s rally underway in July”.
Harry Hay, Head of Thriving Communities at Dumfries and Galloway Council said, “Motorsports fans in the Stewartry and south west Scotland are in for a treat with the return of the Scottish Rally. The Council is pleased to support the Rally through our Events Strategy, that helps attract brilliant live sports and culture events to our region and contributes a great deal to tourism in Dumfries and Galloway.”
More information for spectators, including timetable and access information will be available in the run-up to the event.
Keep up to date via social media:
www.facebook.com/scottishrally and www.twitter.com/scottishrally
and the event website www.scottishrally.co.uk
