The Galloway Hills Rally, the final ranking round of the Scottish Rally Championship 2014, takes place on Sunday 26 October.
The 41st Galloway Hills Rally has attracted an entry of nearly 70, which this year includes a healthy entry from Northern Ireland, due to a ‘Free Ferries’ initiative offered by organisers.
Thanks to a grant from the Dumfries and Galloway Council Major Events Strategic Fund, the Rally has been able to offer a free return ferry crossing to the 25 crews who have entered the Castle Douglas based event, thus bringing in an additional 130 people to the region over the forthcoming weekend.
The event will be a chance for the best drivers in Scotland to put themselves up against their Irish counterparts in a gruelling 45 mile test through the Galloway and Dalbeattie Forests. Many competitors from England and Wales are also making the journey to Castle Douglas.
Dumfries and Galloway Council is investing £10,000 in the event, in recognition of its special place within the Scottish Rallying calendar and potential to grow further in the future.
The Council’s Events Champion, Councillor Colin Smyth said, “This is the final event in 2014 funded by the Council’s Major Events Strategic Fund. I’m really looking forward to taking in the action up close and supporting the Dumfries and Galloway competitors. There is superb work done behind the scenes to take forward the Galloway Hills Rally and the Council is pleased we can recognise this and fund this great event.”
Fans can catch the action in Glengap at 09:01 or 11:45 and Cairn Edward 09:35 or 12:19. These stages will be separated by a service halt on Castle Douglas Market Hill at 10:39 and 13:00, before a visit to the spectator-friendly Super Special at Auchenlosh at 13:57, and the final proper stage in Dalbeattie at 14:11.
Spectator Information and full stage times and maps can be found on the dedicated ‘Spectator’ webpage on the event’s own website, www.gallowayhillsrally.co.uk
Photo shows
Cllr Colin Smyth, Events Champion, DGC; Michael Riddick of the Galloway Hills Rally; Cllr Finlay Carson and Norman Gowans
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