2011 Starts With the Highland Fling

In just under 2 weeks time the 2011 Scottish Rally Championship kicks off with the traditional Arnold Clark Thistle Snowman Rally, The Highland Car Club organised event starts from Inverness and takes in a selection of tough and demanding stages in the surrounding forests, with classic stages like Rogie, Millbuie and Tarlogie all likely to feature on the event.

Jock Armstrong/Kirsty Riddick in the R.Earsman/Holy Socks backed Subaru Impreza will lead the strong field away from traditional start outside the Thistle Hotel; the team will be going “flat oot” this year with goal of winning the championship which has eluded them in recent years. Reigning Scottish Rally Champions David Bogie/Kevin Rae make the trip north to prepare for their assault on the Dulux Trade British Rally Championship, once again piloting the Oakbank Services Mitsubishi Evo 9 used to notch up back to back Scottish Rally Championship titles.

Cumbrian crew Paul Benn/Richard Cooke make the trip north to tackle the Scottish Rally Championship in the awesome Ford Focus WRC 01, the last ever 2001 Focus WRC to be built. Strong times last year saw the crew battling in the top 5 so this year could see them push for podium positions.

Andy Horne/Jim Howie wheel out the awesome DAM 4100 GTI, with the Jaguar V6 motor proving reliable in 2010 it remains in the car and sounds every bit as good as the less reliable V8 unit previously installed in the car. Strong results last year bagged the crew a good haul of points but a costly off on the Speyside put paid to any title assault. Previous event winners Reay MacKay/Robert MacDonald used the Metro 6R4 which they claimed that event win in 2009 on the recent Grant Construction Stages at Knockhill, however the crew will revert back to the Ex Richard Burns Subaru Impreza WRC for the Snowman, success has already been achieved with the Impreza both on tarmac and gravel so the crew could be ones to watch.

Former British Rally Championship star Robbie Head/Claire Mole returns to the hot seat with the weapon of choice a Mitsubishi Evo 9, while making his name in rallying for driving Front wheel drive Renualts but a change to 4 wheel drive technology will be interesting and challenging so teaching an old dog new tricks will take time. Also making the switch from Fwd to 4wd is young Stevie Brown/Andrew Roughead, took a year out of rallying to do a bit of travelling and secure funds for this year which has resulted in Stevie purchasing a Group N Subaru Impreza for this years assault. The famous words “If In Doubt, Flat Out” used to describe the awesome Colin McRae also fit nicely too Stevie to and for 2011 with JRRC Personal Training onboard Stevie is physically in great shape to tackle the pace at the top.

The Highland Waste Services Team have made a few changes over the winter break which sees Euan MacKay/Calum MacLeod replace “Snowball” the Peugeot 106 with the rebuilt Ford Anglia JWRC which was previously used for tarmac rallying. Euan aims to make good use of the Anglia being Rear wheel drive by drifting his way through Scotland’s forests and generally entertaining the crowds. Euan’s younger brother Gordon MacKay/Marieanne Gray have fettled the sister car to Snowball, “Mothball” another Peugeot 106 for some action in the woods. Both Gordon and Marieanne are eager to get rallying again and this crew will be worth a watch as they improve on their seeding of 81.

The famous Ken Wood/Gordon Wood have built a new Triumph Dolomite Sprint for this year and boldly fitted the new car with a 2.5 litre K series V6 engine which should sound the business in the woods and Ken won’t be shy in using all of its potential.

On Saturday 19th February 98 crews will leave Inverness and tackle 5 stages covering just less than 44 competitive miles in some of the most challenging forests Scotland has to offer. The previous 2 years has seen this event live up to its name with snow covered stages but this year could see the end of that and a return to some fast paced gravel action.

For the latest information visit www.highlandcarclub.co.uk and visit www.flyingfinish.co.uk for results.
– Credit: Words by Ross Williams and Image by Mullrallyesport.com