After a longer-than-usual break between events, the Asset Alliance Group Scottish Rally Championship heads North for the A.M. Phillip Trucktech Snowman Rally this weekend. The event was forced to cancel its original date back in March due to storm damage in the forests but elected to slot into an October date for what will now be the penultimate round of this year’s Championship.
While Euan Thorburn has already secured his 3rd SRC Drivers Championship, there are still plenty of battles yet to be decided over the season’s final two rounds.
Starting with the Overall Co-driver’s title, with three competitors still in the mix. Keir Beaton has sat beside Finlay Retson and Euan and currently holds a 10-point lead over Michael Hendry, with Keir’s brother Paul a further 9 points back. Keir once again steps into the hotseat of Thorburn’s VW Polo, fresh from a win on the Voyonic Grampian Rally last time out.
Michael continues his long-time partnership with Mark McCulloch in the unique Proton Satria Evo. Mark & Michael have delivered another consistent season as they continue developing the car.
Paul has spent most of the year sitting alongside Finlay Retson, although he guided Euan Thorburn to the Jim Clark Reivers win. With Retson not in attendance Paul has found a seat alongside long time SRC supporter Bruce McCombie in his R5 Fiesta.
Keir needs just 5 points from the last two rounds to see out Michael’s challenge but 15 to beat his brother to the title.
There are plenty of quick campaigners that can throw a spanner in the works including 2023 Snowman winner Jock Armstrong/Owen Paterson, Grampian runner-up Scott Beattie/Emily Easton-Page, Scott Macbeth/Dan Forsyth, John Wink/Neil Shanks, Hugh Brunton/Terry Mallin, Ian Forgan/Chris Lees and Stephen Petch/Michael Wilkinson to name just a few.
No less than nine drivers are still in with a mathematical chance of the G&M Mechanical Services Two Wheel Drive Championship, with five in with a shout of the co-drivers. Greg McKnight/Harry Marchbank are the crew in the driver’s seat; their incredible pace this year sees them at the top of the standings. Greg just needs 11 points, and Harry needs 21 to both take the 2WD title.
Paddy Munro/Andrew Stevenson are the closest challengers to the yellow Escort. The blue MK2 enjoying a year of good pace and great reliability, finishing every single round this season. If these two slip up the driver’s title can still be taken by Robert Proudlock, Ross Jarrett, Fraser Smith/Gordon Murray. The navigator’s title is also still possible for Gordon’s partner in crime Peter Carstairs.
Other 2WDs that can spoil the party include former champions Dougal Brown/Lewis Rochford, the BMWs of Kenny Wood/Charles Mackenzie, and David Wilson/Kyle Gordon. The rapid MGs of Niall Cowan Jnr/Charlie Sayer Payne and Alan Scott/Shaina Archibald strengthening the front wheel drive challenge. Paddy/Andrew are also featured in a three-way battle for the Albyn Garage Challengers title. The Escort sits at the top of the standings, 15 points clear of the Evo of Johnnie Mackay/Rachel Matheson.
Rob Cotton/Ethan Kidd are also still in with a shout in their Subaru Impreza and also need just six points to wrap up the Groundwater Lift Trucks Subaru Cup ahead of Mike Moates/Gary McDonald.
There are plenty of people who can upset that party by taking points away including Robert Proudlock, Ross Jarrett, Brett McKenzie, Matt Calderwood, Jordan Anderson, Martyn Erskine, Duncan Campbell/Challengers sponsor Simon Hay.
The Moates Offshore Juniors is more clear cut, Meghan O’Kane needing just three points to take the driver’s title. Three competitors can still take the co-driver’s title but only two are on the entry list. Michael Moates is back alongside Justin Gunning, fresh from a Junior win at the Grampian. Ryan Urquhart is the other man in the mix, in the hotseat of Owen Macleod’s 205, stepping back into the woods after a strong showing on Mull last weekend. Meghan also features in the Lady Driver’s title battle. The Fiesta pilot in a straight shootout with her long-time rival, Evo pilot Aileen Forrest.
Rachel Matheson needs just 14 points to take the Lady Co-Driver’s Championship while Mairi Riddick can still snatch the title from the passenger seat of Donald Peacock’s Historic-spec Mk2.
Gordon Murray has already wrapped up the Haddo Energy Super Seniors title but will be challenged on the event by Walter Henderson in his MK2 and Haddo Energy supremo Ernie Lee in his glorious-sounding BMW.
Six stages make up the route, including a return of the superfast Millbuie stage, with service once again at the Black Isle Showground. As always keep an eye on the Asset Alliance Group Scottish Rally Championship’s social media channels for live coverage and updates throughout the event.
