Gleaner Speyside Draws Record Numbers
Posted: August 7, 2008 12:46 PM
Saturday’s upcoming Gleaner Speyside Stages rally sets off from Elgin’s Cooper Park with a record 113 car field. This year’s event (round 6 of the eight round County SAAB Scottish Championship) has received tremendous support since its first running in 1997 and has became a firm favourite with competitors and supporters alike. This has culminated this year with what is the best ever entry with teams travelling the length and breadth of the country to Elgin to compete. The strength of the rally shows not only with the numbers but the quality of the field. Cars making appearance this year go from the world rally car Ford Focus, Toyota Corolla and Subaru Impreza to cars of years gone by including Triumph Dolomite, Audi Quattro’s, Metro 6R4’s and numerous Mk2 Ford Escorts. A heritage of rallying in one event spanning the decades back to the seventies.
Driving these cars we also have drivers whose rallying also came from that era. Keith garage proprietor Dave MacDonald and Inverness businessman Lenny Morrison joining championship regular Inch’s Ken Wood in proving that rallying is a sport for all.
Last year’s winner Dave Weston from Aberdeen’s heads off the field and although not registered for the Scottish championship, Dave will be keeping a close eye on the following cars. Up and coming star David Bogie from Dumfries running at number 2 just ahead of Championship leader Inverness’s Jimmy Girvan at 3 and local favourite Andy Horne at 4, Dave will be hard pressed to retain the Speyside trophy. For fans following the event watch closely as running at car 10 we have another Dave Weston. This time it is junior. Seventeen year old Dave junior has been performing at a level beyond his youth and with Northallarton’s Ian Windress sitting beside him calling the route, don’t be surprised to see the youngster in the mix at the end of the rally.
Moving down the field slightly we come across the first of the two wheel drive cars with oil worker Calum Mackenzie at 14 and Malton potato farmer Steve Bannister at 15, both driving self built Ford mk2 Escorts. Although Calum’s car has slightly less power than Bannister’s this pair are closely matched in skill and enthusiasm and spectators can expect to be treated to some exciting displays of their flamboyant controlled sideways driving in the forests of Moray and Aberdeenshire. Another pair likely to enthuse rally fans are Aberdeenshire builders Bruce McCombie and George MacDonald. This pair has battled each other for years swapping places and times on events. Both drivers run S1600 class front wheel drive cars, Bruce at the wheel of a Ford puma, while George steers an Opal Corsa and like the drivers are closely matched so we can expect a close contest between them.
Competing on 4 wheels this weekend is former British Supersport motor cycle champion John Crawford. Behind the wheel of a Ford Mk 2 Escort John will be turning his hand to gravel tracks rather than the tarmac of the racetrack, and having competed on a number of rally’s over the years he will be no slouch in the stages. The rally as well as being part of the County SAAB Scottish Championship, it also is a round of the Ecosse 205 Challenge set up to encourage beginners and enthusiasts into the sport on a small budget. This year we have no fewer than 19 Peugeot 205 cars which are built to that class. This holds great store for future of the sport. Rallying is also about the taking part and Elgin Taxi business proprietor Dave Christie (car 100) has become a regular entrant in the Scottish Championship this year felt that he could make use of his drive by raising money for a local charity. Whilst competing on the Gleaner Speyside Stages Dave is being sponsored by friends, family and customers with the monies going to the Ladybird Group in Lossiemouth who look after children under 5 years old with special needs. The group get part of their running costs through council support but have to raise the balance through donations and sponsorship and Dave would like to add to their funds. Anyone wishing to contribute to the fund will be gladly accepted.
Competitors compete in 12 different classes on the event, meaning crews with less powerful cars compete against their peers whilst still being able to compare their times against the top runners as they use the same course. The rally route consists of eight special stages covering 42.58 miles competitive miles which are timed. Between the special stages there are 119.02 miles non competitive roads joining up the stages. Normal road rules apply on the non competitive sections with crews given ample time to complete these.
The rally is divided into 3 sections with 2 halts where cars can be “serviced” allowing safety checks and fuelling to take place. Servicing will take place near Huntly and because of constraints due to entry numbers spectating is not available. The opening 2 stages of the event take place in Elgin’s Cooper Park where spectators are welcome to come along and watch the cars. Entry to the stage is free and will start at 9.30 am. Moving on from the Cooper Park the rally moves east to Fochabers Whiteash and onward to Gartly Forest Spectators can view at these two stages where access has been made easier by providing car parking areas. At Gartly there is small charge to allow car access with all monies going to local groups who man the car parks.
Programs will be available for sale at local shops in and around the area and details can be had on the event web site.
The first cars are due to return back to Elgin at approximately 4.40pm on Saturday afternoon and an event prize giving will take place sometime after 7pm once the final results are known.
All are welcome to come along.
Event Details - Press Release
Posted: July 17, 2008 12:28 PM
2008 sees the 12th running of the Speyside Stages, with continued support from Gleaner Oil and Gas. The event has grown from a small non-championship event to its current status as a well respected round of the County Saab MSA Scottish Rally Championship. Based in Elgin in the North East of Scotland, it has become one of the area’s major sporting occasions.
The event uses some of Speyside’s finest forests for stages, and for the last number of years used the Cooper Park, right in the centre of Elgin. The 0.7 mile super special tarmac stage provides an interesting challenge for drivers and easy access for spectators, just a minutes’ walk away from the town centre. This has proved popular not only with avid rally followers but also family’s who can take the opportunity to view motorsport close up. Entry to the Cooper Park is free and organisers have spectator areas where the rally fans get close up to the action.
The first Speyside Stages, in 1997, was organised as a non-championship event, but was observed by stewards from the Scottish Rally Championship. The event was a success, and paved the way for it to be included as a round of the Scottish Rally Championship. The inaugural running was eventually won by Sandy Dalgarno and Martin Forrest, and was also notable for the first sight of the Ford Escort WRC on Scottish soil, driven as course car by Brian Lyall.
In 1998 the event became the penultimate round of the Scottish Rally Championship. It also gained a title sponsor, with Little the Jewellers providing generous support which continued for seven years. Local hero Andy Horne went on to claim the win, but only just. Horne and Jim Paterson were tied on time after 45 competitive stage miles, with the tiebreak being decided in Horne’s favour after he was quicker on the opening stage. The event was so successful that it was given the Chairman’s Cup, a trophy which is awarded to the best rally in the Scottish Rally Championship.
1999 saw another first for the Speyside, the first running of a stage in the Cooper Park. The city centre venue was ideal for a special stage, and remains the only stage in the Scottish Rally Championship which runs in the centre of the host town. Great weather meant that almost 3000 spectators turned up to witness the spectacular sight of rally cars blasting through a normally peaceful venue. The event was also the first win in Scotland for John McKeown.
The Irishman had stunned everyone with his pace in his first season competing in Scotland, and was rewarded with a win in his ageing Ford Sierra Cosworth. Jon Burn clinched the Scottish Rally Championship title by finishing fourth.
2000 saw the event continue to grow in stature and reputation. Jim Carty will remember it as his first win in a national rally as he guided his Metro 6R4 to victory.
2001 was a year many will remember. Foot and Mouth disease caused the cancellation of the Scottish Rally Championship but the organisers decided to press ahead with the running of the event. Foot and mouth cleared up just in time for the event to take place, and the organisers will be eternally grateful to local farmers for allowing the event to become the first forest rally to run in the UK after the outbreak. As a result, the event became a round of Ford’s one-make championships for Puma’s and Ka’s. The boost in entries helped the event continue, along with the attraction of a very special guest. Few will forget the sight of 1995 World Rally Champion Colin McRae pushing a Ford Puma to its limits through the Cooper Park and the forests of Speyside. Brian Lyall went on to win the event in his Subaru Impreza WRC on his way to claiming the Scottish Rally Championship title.
The rally kept up its reputation in 2002. Stephen Harron became the second Irishman to win the event in his Subaru Impreza WRC as he fought of a stiff challenge from Raymond Munro. It also saw the visit of TV presenters Vicki Butler-Henderson and Tiff Needel as they tried out rallying for the first time. Although she started slowly, Vicki increased her pace throughout the day and ended up with a good result. She also had biggest grin of any of the drivers at the end of the day. The event was another success and was awarded the Chairman’s cup for the second time. To win the award twice in the four years the rally had been in the Scottish Rally Championship was a major achievement for the organising team.
In 2003, the question was who could stop Raymond Munro. After a dominant season in the Scottish Rally Championship it seemed he only needed to turn up to win. Although he was victorious at the end of the day, it was only by the narrowest of margins as he pipped Gary Adam by just 1 second after 45 miles of competitive action.
2004 saw Raymond Munro attempting to become the first double winner of the Speyside; he had already been crowned Scottish Champion on the previous round of the championship. But his hopes were dashed after an accident in Clashindarroch, which left the door open for Barry Johnson, in his ex-Petter Solberg Subaru Impreza, to take the spoils.
In 2005, Barry Johnson was trying to do what Munro couldn't, and become the first driver to win the event twice. In the end, he managed to complete the feat, but it wasn't without drama. Problems with the gearbox before the penultimate stage let a hard charging Matthew Wilson close in, but Johnson just managed to hold on until the finish.
2006 was the tenth anniversary of the event, and it was welcomed with more rain than in the previous nine years added together. The Cooper Park super special stage was close to being cancelled due to the flooding the rain caused. In the end it was the crew of Dave Weston and Dave Robson in their Ford Focus WRC who picked their way through the fog and rain to claim a comfortable victory. Despite the weather conditions, the event was again awarded the Chairman's Cup, becoming the best event in the Scottish Rally Championship for the third time.
Dave Weston made it double in 2007, winning the event comfortably from Gary Adam. But it was Adam who was celebrating as second place was enough to clinch his first Scottish Championship title. Rising star David Bogie took his Group N Mitsubishi Lancer to third place.
2008? Sponsor Gleaner oil and gas along with organisers 63 Car Club hope to see another close run finish to the event. Having taken first place on the recent RSAC Scottish Rally, Dave Weston with co-driver Dave Robson will be eager to add a 3rd Speyside title to his CV. Although this year he is not competing in the overall County SAAB championship, Weston driving a Ford Focus WRC will be front runner to win again.
With the County SAAB championship in mind, Inverness restaurateur Jimmy Girvan (53) will be looking to collect maximum points on the Gleaner Speyside event. Holding first place at present a top points finish in Elgin with second place Dumfries’s David Bogie failing to pick up top 3 points Jimmy can be crowned the County SAAB Scottish Rally champion with 2 rounds still to go. Girvan previously won the championship in 1990 and having came back to rallying in recent years appears to have found the skills of his past to produce some consistent results over the this year’s events. Young Bogie (21) has been pushing Jimmy all season and we again can expect this pair to trade seconds as the rally moves through the forest stages from Moray through to Aberdeenshire around Huntly. These two cannot expect to have it their own way and other previous Speyside winners also looking to be top of the podium. Local favourite Andy Horne with his Metro rebuilt after a big off earlier in the season now rebuilt and running sweet will be holding this pair to account. Having won last year’s Granite City event Andy knows that the car has the capability of winning, and the Speyside being his local event he will want to provide the fans with a display that will win him the rally. Jim Carty, winner in 2000 is another driver who on his day will entertain the thousands of fans who travel from all over the country to follow rallying. Other contenders at the head of the field should include Mitsubishi EVO drivers Barry Groundwater, John Morrison, Mike Faulkner and Rory Young. Elgin based Dumfries driver Steve Clark may also be at the start if he makes it back from a charity rally through North Africa. These drivers have all managed top ten finishes these season so they will also looking to pick up points in their championship quest.
Leading the rear wheel drive cars is Isle of Lewis oil worker Calum MacKenzie, the 34 year old who now resides with wife Heather in Aberdeenshire is a sure fire smile maker with his flamboyant driving of a self built Mk2 Ford Escort. Being a clansman, Calum is patriotic to his routes as his can battle cry “Tulachard” (To the High Hill) emblazoned on the livery. Other Mk2’s doing battle with Calum hopefully with be another self builder Yorkshire farmer Steve Bannister, and Aberdeen’s Keith Robatham. Although all 3 drive Mk2 Escorts, Banisters having a larger capacity engine competes in a different classification group, that aside these car in their drivers hand match each other closely. Similar close competition can be seen in the 1600cc front wheel drive class where Aberdeen builders George MacDonald in a kit Car Opel Corsa hotly compete against Bruce McCombie in a Super 1600cc Ford Puma.
This duo battles have seen Bruce have the better of the series so far, so George could be looking to revenge.
Contesting the rally is a group of cars with their own championship at stake, the Ecosse 205 Challenge: started in 2003 this championship was derived to bring a low cost class where evenly matched cars with limited modification could compete, meaning that driver’s skill would prevail.
Many have used this as a stepping stone in getting into rallying. These cars although lacking the power of the front runners provide some close fought battles and with 4 rounds of the Challenge completed we have seen 3 different winners. Local interest for this round will be on Craig Whyte of Elgin who in his first year of rallying is sitting a creditable 8th.
Rallying has become an important part of the economy to businesses throughout Scotland, with the numerous competitors and back teams along with the rally supporters who travel to each event bringing custom to many hotels, bed and breakfast accommodation. In a drive to promote the rallies in the Scottish Championship and in recognition of the benefit brought to business Event Scotland has teamed up with the County SAAB organisers to provide TV coverage and media support to each rally. Event Scotland, the national events agency, has awarded £40,000 to broaden domestic and international TV distribution of events. The aim is to extend coverage of the events and highlight Scotland not only in the rest of UK and Ireland where the rallies already get strong support, but also throughout Asia, Australia and the USA, further increasing Scotland profile.
To run the Gleaner oil and gas Speyside Stages take many people and this year we will have between 250 and 300 volunteers assisting in the smooth operation of the event. With medical support coming from around the UK ensuring that the rally can safely. Alongside them are radio crews keeping contact throughout the stages following the cars. Breakdown crews to assist cars in case of cars needing recovered. Marshalls to operate the timing clocks and also advise spectators of areas of danger where cars might run wide. The event is run from the Elgin Town Hall base where through radio and computers the cars can be followed throughout its approx 190mile route of which 43 miles will be run at competitive speeds.
Organisers and sponsors wish all competitors and spectators a close and exciting safe rally and look forward to seeing you at the event. Remember the first special stage is Elgin Cooper Park on Saturday 9th August, 1st car off 9.30 am.
Further details can be found at the event website below:
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