Jim Clark International - 22-24 May 09

BRC Video Clip

Posted: June 3, 2009 2:21 PM

Posted: May 29, 2009 4:31 PM

Photo: John Bayly

Video Clips

Posted: May 28, 2009 5:19 PM

Donnelly extends his lead on round four of the Tarmac Rally Championship.

Posted: May 28, 2009 5:12 PM

The 2009 Irish Tarmac Rally Championship reached its mid point at the finish of last weekends Jim Clark Rally, with four rallies completed and four events remaining. The Jim Clark rally started in Edinburgh and was held on 160 miles of stages on the Scottish borders. Eugene Donnelly proved once again what a competent driver he is, in getting the little Skoda Fabia WRC to victory, his third of the year. Donnelly kept the early leader Tim Mc Nulty in sight on day one and with a sequence of fastest times he headed the Subaru man by 24 seconds at the end. This is Donnelly's second Jim Clark win and it gives him a comfortable lead in the Tarmac Championship.

Mc Nulty was second here for the fourth occasion and he must be wondering what he has to do to win the Jim Clark Rally. He certainly drove very well and was not distracted by the imposition of a time penalty that was later removed from the results. And while he had little to show for his first two events of the year, the win in the Lakes and the second place in Scotland has given his championship aspirations a huge boost.

The Jim Clark rally was one of the events that Eamon Boland won last year en route to his inaugural Tarmac Championship, and third place was a fair result after losing a minute on the ninth stage. The Wexford man finished almost two minutes behind Mc Nulty.

A slow start cost Gareth Mc Hale a podium position, the Dubliner was just over three seconds behind Boland in the Focus WRC. He had several good stage times and he keeps his championship points ticking over like his brother Aaron who finished fifth, in another Focus WRC.

Group N was dominated by Mitsubishi Evo's. Keith Cronin had a fine win in his first Tarmac Championship rally of the year, the Bantry man was over three minutes ahead of Alastair Fisher, with Alan Carmichael a further five minutes adrift. As a result Fisher and Carmichael have climbed up the Tarmac leader board to sixth and seventh respectively and into first and second in the Group N category.

Daragh O'Riordan was another driver to make the Scottish trip worthwhile. He finished eight overall and first two wheel drive in the Renault Clio. This result gives a big boost to his class lead.

The Jim Clark rally was also the third round of the British Rally Championship. Mark Higgins was the winner, just twelve seconds ahead of Keith Cronin. Cronin lost two minutes with a puncture on day one but he fought back brilliantly to close on Higgins. Cronin now leads Higgins by two points in the BRC.

McCormack makes it C2R2 in a row

Posted: May 27, 2009 8:33 PM

Martin McCormack and Phil Clarke took their second victory in the Citroën Racing Trophy on last weekend’s Jim Clark International Rally, extending their lead to four points in the 2009 C2R2 Cup.

The all asphalt event certainly suited the powerful C2R2 Max Kit cars, with seventeen fast and furious stages split over Friday evening and Saturday of the Bank Holiday weekend. Northern Irishman McCormack’s goal was evident from the start of the event, building a lead of ten seconds over 2008 Champion Jason Pritchard by the end of the second stage, despite catching a car on stage two.

Pritchard and co-driver Andrew Edwards nearly didn't make the rally start though, the young Welshman having had an altercation with a post in the pre-start holding area, after the automatic barrier narrowly missed the rear of his car. The distraction forced him to hit a concrete post, damaging the car’s radiator and it was his rival McCormack and Suzuki driver Nick Everard who came to the rescue.

Andrew Hockridge and Rich Mills posted a pair of cracking times through the Duns spectator stages after spinning on the day’s opening test. They were quickest of the Citroëns here, albeit just half a second clear of McCormack on the first Duns run, a tenth on the second.

Mark Gamble and Steve Link were having a dreadful time on the fell roads of Bothwell and Abbey St Bathans, the rear end of the car unstable and wayward. By the end of the night the Wolverhampton driver was still perplexed by the direction to take on car set-up, also losing out on power as he had not yet switched to the Max engine.

By the close on Friday night though, Pritchard had pulled back time and astonishingly he and McCormack were tied on the same tenth of a second, after nearly three quarters of an hour of flat-out rallying.

The opening stages of Saturday morning heralded more early sunshine, McCormack again setting the pace from Pritchard, who responded now his radiator was fully repaired. But the Welshman had luck against him, losing intercom and a bolt from his gear linkage, caused him to drop back as the day progressed. A 100mph spin also rattled Pritchard, but he managed to claw back some time in the changeable conditions, although McCormack’s winning margin was 43 seconds after 150 miles of competition.

Gamble eventually resolved the handling problems and stopped bouncing off the banks, not with a cunning suspension tweak, but the addition of intermediate tyres on the rear of his car. His eventual third place was little solace for the Midlander, now trailing second placed Pritchard by four points in the championship.

He had more luck than Hockridge though, who had a high speed encounter with a gate-post while trying to avoid a baled chicane. The Welshman managed to scrub enough speed off to avoid contact with the bale, instead aiming for an opening into a field. But he clipped the left hand wheel on the post, bending the wishbone and leaving the steering decidedly toed-in. The resulting damage was not repaired fully until much later, mechanics finding a bent hub which caused the brakes to become spongy for several stages.

McCormack’s victory brought with it a cheque to the tune of €2000 from Citroën Racing, a €1000 bonus for his second place in the front wheel drive category on the rally. Pritchard took €1000 for second with Gamble taking third place and €500 for his perseverance.

The next event in the C2R2 Cup calendar is the Isle of Man International Rally on July 10th & 11th, where the French pocket-rockets should shine again, but you can catch the action from the Jim Clark International Rally on Max Power and Motorsport Mundial from Saturday 20th June.

The C2R2 Cup and Citroën Racing Trophy UK are supported by Citroën UK.

Early exit signals disappointment for JR Motorsports team

Posted: May 26, 2009 8:56 PM

This weekend’s Jim Clark Rally, round three of the MSA British Rally Championship, should have seen the JRM Motorsports team bidding for another podium finish, but an encounter with bank, followed by an engine problem, signalled early retirement for David Bogie and co-driver Kevin Rae.

With this being the first asphalt rally of the season, the team carried out a pre-event test and were delighted with the performance of their Evolution X in tarmac specification and were therefore all set to continue from where they left off in round two when David and Kevin finished third.

The rally began with an impressive ceremonial start in Edinburgh’s FountainPark on Friday evening, followed by six stages before the overnight halt. The first, a 7.8-mile run through Bothwell, went well for David and Kevin, who emerged third of the BRC runners, just a few seconds behind the leaders.

With the car working well, David felt confident to maintain the pace for stage two, the now infamous Abbey St. Bathans. However, on a down-hill section going into a tightening right-hander the back of the car stepped out and clipped a bank, the impact removing a wheel and causing too much damage to continue.

After returning to the service area, the JRM team worked through the night to repair the car in readiness for Saturday morning. Although too far back to make an impression on the leaders, a points score was not out of the question, but as David and Kevin went to start the first stage, the bad luck continued as the car’s engine stopped and wouldn’t start.

To the surprise of the crew it was found that a con-rod had snapped, the cause of the problem yet to be established.

“I wasn’t pushing that hard when we went off’, said a disappointed David. “One minute we were rallying, the next we were stopped having hit the bank. We then thought we might be able to score a few points running under the SupeRally rules which allow you to start the next day, but then when the engine went as well, we couldn’t believe our luck. We’ll just have to wait until the next round to prove what the car can do on tarmac.”

The overall rally was won by Eugene Donnelly, with Mark Higgins first and Keith Cronin second in the British Rally Championship event.

Round four of the MSA British Rally Championship takes place on July 9th, 10th & 11th, when the team contests the Rally Isle of Man.

JR Motorsports’ 2009 British Rally Championship campaign is supported by: Oakbank Services, Exe-tc competition suspension, Lico, Opie Oils and PPG Transmissions.

McCormack on Max Attack

Posted: May 26, 2009 8:35 PM

Marty McCormack and Phil Clarke added another superb win to their Citroen Racing Trophy bid this weekend at the Jim Clark International Rally. The 3rd round of The British Rally Championship was based in the Scottish Borders town of Kelso and saw the competitors tackle 150 tarmac miles over closed public roads.

The ceremonial start on Friday evening attracted a huge crowd in Edinburgh’s city centre, followed by six stages, two of which were through the town of Duns. After the first 4 stages Marty had a 13sec lead over his nearest rival Jason Pritchard but after suffering time loss behind another competitor on two stages Marty had lost his advantage over Jason resulting in the pair being dead level at the end of Friday night’s stages.

The first of Saturday stages saw Marty take a commanding lead of 12.6 seconds despite a moment on the 3rd corner when he had a half spin due to cold tyres. The day continued with Marty and Jason battling stage wins over the next 4 stages. On Marty’s return to service before the final loop John McKillop (Chief Engineer) tweaked the suspension settings on the Citroen Max and as Marty commented later “everything about the car felt great”. He went on to set quickest two wheel drive times on SS16 and 17 adding 24 seconds to his lead before the final stage through Duns, finishing 43 seconds ahead of his R2 rivals.

Marty also clinched 9th overall in the British Championship standings and second 2wd behind the vastly experienced Finnish driver, Matti Rantanen in a Renault Clio R3. Marty now currently leads the R2 class, the Citroen Racing Trophy and the British Rally Championship Junior Category.

The next round of the Championship for the team is the Isle of Man rally in July.

Martin would like to take this opportunity to thank Outdoor Services, Millers Oils, Carella, Ace Fixings, PPP Salvage Auctions, TFR Refrigeration and all the other people who contribute in any way.

Regular updates on Marty’s progress throughout the year can be obtained at

MartyMcCormack.com

Higgins holds on to win BRC Jim Clark Rally

Posted: May 26, 2009 8:30 PM

Another cracking MSA British Rally Championship counter ended this Saturday in Kelso, with Mark Higgins and Bryan Thomas hanging on to win the Jim Clark International Rally after seventeen nail-biting stages. [AUDIO]

Higgins’ record-breaking fifth BRC victory on Borders asphalt came after Championship leader Keith Cronin suffered a puncture on Friday night, but his comeback from a two minute deficit was very nearly successful, as Higgins struggled with a car that was intermittently on three cylinders and without an effective centre differential. [AUDIO]

The gap was down to 2.6 seconds at the service before the final loop of four stages, where Pirelli TEG Sport’s temporary repair to the differential’s electronics worked. This allowed Higgins to not only stop the haemorrhage of time, but take a handful of seconds back from Cronin who spun, adding to Higgins’ advantage.

As the crews headed for the new Duns town centre stage, everyone held their breath, but only a catastrophe could have stopped Higgins, his title hopes rekindled by an eventual 11.4 second winning margin. Cronin still leads the BRC, but the gap is down to just two points with Higgins’ home Rally Isle of Man next.

British Teams’ Rally Championship
2008 Pirelli Star Driver Adam Gould took a fine first podium with Seb Marshall, the Bristol youngster certain hat even more improvement is possible in the Pirelli TEG Sport-run prize Impreza. Team principal Lynn Newby was delighted with the result which puts the Carnforth outfit in the lead of the MSA British Rally Championship British Teams’ Rally Championship [AUDIO].

Pirelli Star Driver
Revolution Wheels rally team crew Euan Thorburn & Claire Mole were gutted to have a driveshaft break on the penultimate stage, forcing them to crawl round in front of the youngster’s home town crowd in Duns and dropping them behind Gould but just ahead of Alastair Fisher and Barry McNulty [AUDIO]. The disappointment was soon forgotten though, as his excellent pace throughout the weekend earned him the third place in the 2009 Pirelli Star Driver final.

BRC Classes
Rally 3
In the classes, Finnish duo Matti Rantanen and Mikko Markkula drove an excellent first complete tarmac event to win Rally 3 in their distinctive yellow Renault Clio. Their only problem was a power deficit to the similar car of Tom Walster, who took second despite early set-up problems.

Rally 2/Citroën Racing Trophy/British Junior Rally Championship
Rally 2 and victory in the Citroën Racing Trophy went to Irishman Marty McCormack and co-driver Phil Clarke, taking a cheque for 3000 Euros for their troubles in the unmarked C2R2 Max [AUDIO]. McCormack now leads the MSA British Junior Rally Championship too, Craig Breen retiring on Saturday. Their event went without incident, unlike runner up Jason Pritchard/Andrew Edwards who nearly didn’t start after hitting a post in the pre-start car park.

Rally 1/Swift Sport Cup
Rally 1 and the Swift Sport Cup were won by another local driver, Gordon Nichol with co-driver Emma Morrison [AUDIO]. Their opposition was decimated after all the other crews hit trouble, although only two retired. This did not detract from excellent stage times from the dominant Scot.

MSA ASPHALT RALLY CHAMPIONSHIP - FOUR SQUARE FOR EVANS!..

Posted: May 25, 2009 12:06 AM

Melvyn Evans’ outright win on the Jim Clark National Rally, the fourth round of the Richard Egger Insurance MSA Asphalt Rally Championship, has given the Llanwrda driver his fourth straight maximum points score and, with each competitor’s best five to count towards their final tally, he is making life extremely difficult for the opposition! Co-driver Sean Mullally, who was not available for the opening round on Epynt, now has three maximums to his credit and is in 2nd place in his category.

Last year’s Jim Clark National Rally winners, and defending MSA Asphalt Rally Champions, David Kynaston/Andy Russell set fastest time on the opening stage through Duns town centre but then their Audi A3 Quattro left the road on a tricky bend on the next. The car was too badly damaged to continue, allowing Evans’ Subaru Impreza WRC into a lead it maintained throughout the remainder of the event. Following problems on the Isle of Man a fortnight ago, this was the second consecutive retirement for Kynaston, leaving the Exeter driver with the prospect of needing good scores on each of the remaining three rounds of the series if he is to retain any chance of taking back-to-back titles.

David Mann/Alun Cook finished runners-up to Evans on the Jim Clark in their Subaru Impreza WRC. An excellent run over the closed public roads in the Scottish Borders saw them keep up the pressure on the leader and this result sees Mann maintain his 2nd place in the Drivers’ points table, while Cook still tops the Co-drivers. However, he will be absent from the next round of the Championship as he is getting married on the same weekend….

Returning to the series after missing the last couple of events, Simon Mauger/ Brian Cammack brought their Ford Escort MkII back to the finish at Kelso Racecourse in 3rd place after another excellent run. Improving on their 5th in 2008, their car was beset with brake problems but the result is ample proof that there wasn’t too much wrong with it!

Right behind them – five seconds adrift after 100 miles of stages – was the Darrian T90 GTR of Washington James/Dai Roberts, bringing to an end a barren spell, in terms of results, for the driver. In recognition of a storming drive, he was awarded the ‘John Horton Motorsport Management Star Drive’ salver as the cars passed over the finish line at the Racecourse.

Also celebrating a finish after a patchy start to the season were John Stone/Lee Carter in their Legend Motorsport MG Metro 6R4. The pair had been running as high as 2nd overall on last year’s rally before problems intervened, but both theirs and team-mate Mark Jasper’s similar car have been plagued with gearbox and transmission problems in the interim. Consequently, on what is always a very tough event, Stone was justly pleased to open his Asphalt Championship account in such a way.

Having had to wait until the Manx a fortnight ago to record their first finish of the season, David Hardie/John McCulloch (Subaru Impreza) repeated the exercise with a Top 10 finish on what, for the Dumfries-based crew, is their ‘home’ event.

Roger Donnan/Kim Baker took a class win in their Ford Puma S1600 which sees them pulling away from the Fiat Punto of Rod Bennett/Henry Richardson that was sidelined by electrical problems. However, there is still plenty of time to redress the balance before the season reaches its climax at the end of October!

Championship Class B11 leaders Pete Hughes/Chris Evans were heading for top honours on the event in their Ford Escort MkII before an off-road excursion, with just two stages to go, cost around five minutes. Nevertheless, luck was on their side and they still reached the finish to take maximum points and maintain their podium places in the overall series.

Chris Rice’s Group N Subaru Impreza tightened its grip on Class N4 with another finish and Richard Clews/Barry James were pleased to get to the end in their Ford Fiesta ST. There is more to come from the car but, not having been out on a Championship round since Epynt in February, the pair took some time to settle into the rhythm.

Geoff Glover/Charlie Turner brought their Vauxhall Astra RWD to the finish for more Class B11 points, while Martin Newson/Peter Morris took a class win in their MG ZR.

In addition to those retirements already mentioned, Chris Marshall/Simon Hunter went out when their Mitsubishi Lancer EVO5 collided with a tree on the same bend that claimed David Kynaston. Indeed, it was the second time in his career that Hunter has retired from the Jim Clark on that corner!… Ross Hunter/Eildon Hall were forced out when their Lancer EVO4 developed mechanical trouble after nine of the fourteen stages, while Tommi Graham/Mike Bailey must be wondering just what they have got to do to reach the finish of a rally this year when, for the second event in a row, their Lancer EVO9 succumbed to driveshaft failure…

The next round of the Richard Egger Insurance MSA Asphalt Rally Championship takes contenders across the Irish Sea to the Sligo Stages Rally on Sunday 12th July. A warm welcome is assured, but the competition is still very tough!

Hall ups his speed but gets ditched at Jim Clark Rally

Posted: May 25, 2009 12:03 AM

After a fantastic start, Stobart Motorsport driver Kris Hall’s challenge in the 39th Jim Clark Rally ended in disappointment when he slid off the road on day two of the Scottish Borders-based event.  

Hall was full of confidence going into the Jim Clark Rally, the first he has competed in this year on his favoured Tarmac surface.  He also welcomed Robbie Durant back into the co-driver’s seat after he missed last month’s Pirelli International Rally due to commitments in North America.  

The 22-year-old, who is a member of the MSA British Rally Elite Scheme, had members of Edinburgh University’s sports science department on hand to give advice on nutrition, psychology and physical conditioning.  

The Appleby driver had also benefited from the experience of MSA British Rally Champion Guy Wilks who sat in with him during shakedown on Friday to offer advice on driving technique and the set-up of the car.  

That advice appeared to have paid dividends as he was on fantastic form on day one, reaching the midway point of the rally lying in second place in the R3 class.  

He was also ahead of Craig Breen, one of his major rivals in the Fiesta SportTrophy UK so far this season, as they continued their battle away from the FST UK competition.  By the end of day one Hall held an impressive 33.5 second advantage over Irishman Breen thanks to an excellent run over SS5 Bothwell where he was 14 seconds faster than the next Fiesta ST.  

Day two began well for Hall who maintained his lead over Breen and continued to impress in the competitive R3 class but disaster struck on SS11 as he slid off the road on cold tyres.  The stage had been stopped due to an accident and Hall was the first car through after the road reopened.  But with no chance to get heat into his tyres he struggled on the opening corners and slid into a ditch.  

The car was undamaged but Hall and co-driver Durant were unable to get the Ford Fiesta ST back on the road and were forced to pull out.  

Stobart Motorsport driver Kris Hall said:
“The rally started really well for us last night and we had a great run over the stages in the dark.  Our notes were working well, the fast stages suited my car and we were much closer to the other guys in the R3 class than we have been before.  But the most important thing was the fact we had opened up a big gap over Craig Breen in the next closet Fiesta.   

“Day 2 was going well also and I was really getting into the swing of things but then we got caught out at the start of stage 11.  There was a delay and we went into the stage on cold tyres, I should have waited before pushing but the grip felt good.  However, we made some good set-up improvements with Guy during the shakedown and that was a big benefit for the next event.”

More Photos

Posted: May 24, 2009 10:55 PM

John Bayly (www.rallyfile.com)
mccrash.co.uk

Full Results and Analysis from all Sections

Posted: May 24, 2009 10:28 PM

International
1 Eugene Donnelly/Paddy Toner (Skoda Fabia WRC) 2h 03m 09s,
2 Tim McNulty/David Moynihan (Subaru Impreza WRC) 2h 03m 32s,
3 Eamonn Boland/Mick Morrissey (Subaru Impreza WRC) 2h 05m 26s,
4 Gareth MacHale/Brian Murphy (Ford Focus WRC) 2h 05m 29s,
5 Aaron MacHale/Barry Goodman (Ford Focus WRC) 2h 10m 35s,
6 Mark Higgins/Bryan Thomas (Subaru Impreza N11 Gp N) 2h 11m 00s,
7 Keith Cronin/Greg Shinnors (Mitsubishi Lancer Evo 9 Gp N) 2h 11m 11s,
8 Adam Gould/Sebastian Marshall (Subaru Impreza N14 Gp N) 2h 13m 51s,
9 Euan Thorburn/Claire Mole (Subaru Impreza N12B Gp N) 2h 14m 12s,
10 Alastair Fisher/Barry McNulty (Mitsubishi Lancer Evo 9 Gp N) 2h 14m 22s.

Leaders After:
SS1-4 Tim McNulty/David Moynihan (Subaru Impreza WRC)
SS5 Eugene Donnelly/Paddy Toner (Skoda Fabia WRC)
SS6-13 Tim McNulty/David Moynihan (Subaru Impreza WRC)
SS14-17 Eugene Donnelly/Paddy Toner (Skoda Fabia WRC)

Stage Winners:
SS1 Tim McNulty/David Moynihan (Subaru Impreza WRC)
SS2 Tim McNulty/David Moynihan (Subaru Impreza WRC)
SS3 Tim McNulty/David Moynihan (Subaru Impreza WRC)
SS4 Tim McNulty/David Moynihan (Subaru Impreza WRC)
SS5 Eugene Donnelly/Paddy Toner (Skoda Fabia WRC)
SS6 Tim McNulty/David Moynihan (Subaru Impreza WRC)
SS7 Eugene Donnelly/Paddy Toner (Skoda Fabia WRC)
SS8 Eugene Donnelly/Paddy Toner (Skoda Fabia WRC)
SS9 Tim McNulty/David Moynihan (Subaru Impreza WRC)
SS10 Eugene Donnelly/Paddy Toner (Skoda Fabia WRC)
SS11 Tim McNulty/David Moynihan (Subaru Impreza WRC)
SS12 Eugene Donnelly/Paddy Toner (Skoda Fabia WRC)
SS13 Eugene Donnelly/Paddy Toner (Skoda Fabia WRC)
SS14 Eugene Donnelly/Paddy Toner (Skoda Fabia WRC)
SS15 Eugene Donnelly/Paddy Toner (Skoda Fabia WRC)
SS16 Aaron MacHale/Barry Goodman (Ford Focus WRC)
SS17 Eamonn Boland/Michael Jo Morrissey (Subaru Impreza WRC)

Full Results & Times - International

Full Results & Times - National

Full Results & Times - Reivers

Full Results & Times - Historics

Full Results & Times - Challenge

Full Results & Times - Land Rover

Jim Clark Rally Ready to Run

Posted: May 21, 2009 3:16 PM

The biggest motorsport event to hit Scotland kicks off tomorrow (Friday) as the Jim Clark Rally 2009 gets underway.

The 39th Jim Clark Rally will feature around 300 cars competing over Friday 22nd to Sunday 24th May - making it arguably the biggest-ever weekend of rallying to be staged in the UK.

Since 1997, the Jim Clark Rally has been mainland Britain’s only special stage rally to use public roads, specially closed under Act of Parliament, for flat-out rally competition.

This year the event will begin in Edinburgh – where Scotland’s late double world racing champion Jim Clark was schooled – with a spectacular ceremonial start at the FountainPark(correct) leisure complex.

The capital’s Lord Provost George Grubb will flag away the UK’s top rally drivers from FountainPark following an all-action show with drift cars, stunt bikes and live entertainment. The show will run from 4pm to 7pm and feature autograph sessions with the stars of the British Rally Championship, the Radio Forth Roadshow, appearances from Hearts mascots Teenie and Tynie Tiger, and a wide range of fun activities including rally simulators and a mobile climbing wall. Another of Scotland’s motorsport champions will also be honoured at the event, as Colin McRae’s British championship-winning Subaru Legacy will also be on display at FountainPark.

After the ceremonial start in Edinburgh the focus of the rally will switch to the Borders. Over the three days, spectators can choose from 25 special stages set throughout Berwickshire, ranging in length from the nearly 13-mile long Leitholm test to the shortest stage, at just over one mile. In a first for the rally a 1.2 mile sprint will take place through the streets of Duns - the market town just a few miles from what was the family home of the world champion the event commemorates. The stage will be run twice on Friday night, and once more on Saturday afternoon, providing a uniquely atmospheric spectacle for visitors to the rally.

The special stages starting in the market square in Duns will also be preceded by entertainment including more trials bike demonstrations and racing cars. On Friday and Saturday there will also be stalls and other entertainment in Duns.

All the action featuring the top crews in the 2009 MSA British Rally Championship's third round, the Jim Clark International Rally, will be shown on Sky Sports Xtra at 10pm on Bank Holiday Monday (May 25).

Jim Clark Rally Manager Colin Pagan said:
“We have worked very hard this year to add even more entertainment to what was already a very exciting event. We’re delighted at the support we have received from Event Scotland, FountainPark and the city of Edinburgh in making the rally even more accessible for visitors of all ages. Hopefully everyone will enjoy a fantastic bank holiday weekend of action, and the event will once again be a fitting testament to Scotland’s greatest motorsport competitor Jim Clark.”

Lord Provost George Grubb said:
"I am delighted that Edinburgh is playing its part in the Jim Clark Rally - a fantastic event in memory of one of motor racing's true greats. The ceremonial start here promises to be spectacular, as does the remainder of the race through the Scottish Borders."

FountainPark General Manager Mary Turner said:
"We are really pleased to be hosting the ceremonial start for this prestigious event in the rally world, and are confident that a city centre start will bring new fans to appreciate this exciting sport. It is a great event for all the family, allowing people to see firsthand exciting entertainment plus great rally cars."

BRC classes sure to provide excitement on Jim Clark

Posted: May 21, 2009 10:55 AM

Despite the Fiesta SportTrophy one-make series electing to miss this weekend’s Jim Clark International Rally, no less than five Fords are set to contest the event; making the battle for the Rally 3 class another thrilling prospect.

It is an all Fiesta front row in the British Rally Championship class R3 tables ahead of round three; Irishman Craig Breen and Welsh co-driver Gareth Roberts ahead of Kyle Orr after a first and second place, Orr only joined by Rob Fagg on round two, the Pirelli Rally, where they too took a second.

Third placed Tom Walster had a bit of a crisis of marque on the first two events, debuting his R3 Renault Clio in Wales, but swapping to his Fiesta for the second rally as the Clio was being saved for an overseas event. The asphalt of the Jim Clark Rally sees a return to the Renault, where Tom will hope to repeat his first round victory.

Two drivers who have shown great pace, but failed to convert it into great points in the R3 class, are Cumbrian Kris Hall and Finnish driver Matti Rantanen. Hall suffered a puncture in Wales and was swallowed by a Kielder ditch on his home event, while Rantanen has crashed out of both rallies whilst leading the class.

Stefan Davies and Stevie Brown both missed the Pirelli International Rally, Davies citing budget, while Brown chose the National event as part of his FST campaign. They bring up the rear of the Rally 3 championship runners, although oddly Orr will start behind them on the Jim Clark.

The Diesel Cup also run in R3, old rivalries between Fin McCaul/Huw Mathias’ BMW and brothers Steve and Tony Graham’s Astra rekindled. The Grahams took victory on the Jim Clark Rally last year and they lead the Diesel Cup in 2009, but McCaul has the momentum, having taken victory on the Pirelli last month.

In Rally 2, the battle is exclusively between the Citroëns in the C2R2 Cup, where any one of the four protagonists could not only take the class, but stand a good chance of vying for two wheel drive honours against the R3 runners. Positions on the road follow points, with Marty McCormack/Phil Clarke planning to use superior tarmac experience to his advantage over Jason Pritchard/Andrew Edwards. Both drivers have C2R2 one-make Championships to their names, McCormack in Ireland and Pritchard in the UK.

Mark Gamble/Steve Link took a class win here in 2008, wheeling out their new Max Kit against Andrew Hockridge and Rich Mills, who missed the Pirelli, short of suspension components.

Rally 1 is mainly occupied by Suzuki Swifts, the only exception being early pace setters and potential threat on asphalt, Irishmen Joseph McGonigle and Patrick Brides in a Honda. They trail Australian driver Molly Taylor by nine points, the Aussie partnered by Jemma Bellingham in not the only all female car in the British Rally Championship, but the winners of both opening rounds.

Local driver Gordon Nichol will be hoping that the pacenote system he and co-driver Emma Morrison have devised works better on tar than gravel, but a bit of local knowledge should see him at the sharp end. Luke Pinder/Peter Scott have done well to repair the car after a huge roll on the Pirelli, which put paid to a fine run at the head of the R1 class. Their zero score there leaves them tied in fourth in the class, one second place apiece with Manxman David Harrison and co-driver Glyn Thomas.

Whilst languishing near the end of the field, Richard Sykes & Simon Taylor do so as a result of mechanical maladies rather than lack of pace. They expect to be fighting at the front again after ding-dong battles on the first two events have been cruelly cut short by component failures. Bringing up the rear of Rally 1 are newcomers to the BRC Nicholas Everard/Chris Davies, who have made good progress in their first season and will relish the prospect of a classic event like the Jim Clark.

You can watch the BRC classes in action from the Pirelli International Rally tonight on Sky Sports, as well as a preview to the Jim Clark International Rally which kicks off on Friday at 7pm at FountainPark in Edinburgh.

First asphalt encounter for JR Motorsports Rally Team

Posted: May 21, 2009 10:51 AM

This weekend sees another first for the JR Motorsports Rally Team, when they head across the border and into Scotland for the Jim Clark International Rally and the British Rally Championship’s inaugural asphalt event for their Mitsubishi Lancer Evolution X.

Following an impressive third-place finish on round two, the Pirelli Rally, the team are confident that the development of the new car is headed in the right direction and aim to capitalise on the performance achieved last time out. Since then, driver David Bogie has tested the car on tarmac for the first time and was delighted with the outcome:

“Following the Pirelli Rally we knew that the car was getting close to being on the leading pace on gravel. Its turn-in and grip out of corners is excellent, so when the team changed the car to a tarmac set up, the handling was excellent right from the start and we only needed to make a few adjustments to get it 100%.”

David continues: “With this being my first event for the team on anything other than gravel, it is difficult to tell how competitive we will be this weekend. But if the car goes as well as it felt during the test, then another podium finish could well be on the cards.”

Currently leading the British Rally Championship Team’s category, as Team JRM Lico, JR Motorsports will only field the one car this weekend and therefore will aim to grasp as many points as possible in order to keep their team’s title hopes on track.

The Jim Clark Rally is still the only event of its kind on the UK mainland to utilise closed public roads. This year’s event gets underway with a ceremonial start at 7.00 pm from Fountain Park in Edinburgh and features six stages that evening - including two through Duns town centre - before the overnight halt in Kelso.

Saturday sees a further 11 stages around the Berwickshire lanes and a repeat of the run through Duns, the combination of the two legs providing a total competitive distance of 146 miles.

JR Motorsports’ 2009 British Rally Championship campaign is supported by: Oakbank Services, Exe-tc competition suspension, Lico, Opie Oils, PPG Transmissions and SJS Designs

Tarmac Championship Preview

Posted: May 20, 2009 8:50 AM

The Irish tarmac rally Championship crosses over to the Scottish Borders for this weekend’s Jim Clark International rally. Based in Kelso, round four of Ireland’s premier rally championship will be held on Friday and Saturday, May 22nd/23rd.

Day one is centred around Duns with 60 miles of stages in the Lammermuir Hills and will finish with two stages run in the dark. Day two sees the event tackle over 100 mile of stages in the fast lanes of the Merse where the stages are famous for their big jumps.

Having won six of the last seven Jim Clark rallies, the slippery Berwick lanes hold no fear for Irish drivers and it is good to see all the major championship contenders entered. Eugene Donnelly won here in 2007 in a Subaru and he leads the ’09 championship on 32 points, courtesy of wins in Galway and the Circuit of Ireland. However an off road excursion on round three on the Rally of the Lakes might force the Maghera man to drive a more cautious rally in the Skoda Fabia WRC.

Eamon Boland the reigning Tarmac champion is another Irish winner of the Jim Clark, with a victory here last year. The Wexford man is not as consisten this year but his pace in Galway and the Lakes will worry Donnelly and co.. Boland has 24 Tarmac championship points.

Tim Mc Nulty is another Subaru driver with 24 points. The Meathman will arrive in Scotland very determined for victory ,He has been runner up here on three occasions and he will be in confident mood after his dramatic win in the Lakes.

Gareth Mc Hale was leading the Rally of the Lakes when he crashed out on day two, but he has 22 points and remains very much in the championship hunt, like his brother Aaron who trails him by four points. The brothers will be Ford Focus WRC mounted as usual.

Alastair Fisher has 12 points in the Group N section and a maximum score in Scotland could bounce the Fermanagh driver to the lead of the showroom category. He impressed many pundits with his pace and maturity on the Lakes, his first time over the classic stages in a four wheel drive car. Another driver who impressed in Killarney is Daragh O’ Riordan. Driving a Renault Clio, the Corkman is the leading two wheel drive in the championship and an amazing sixth overall in the standings.

The Jim Clark rally is also a counting round of the British rally championship, and after two rounds of that series Irish driver Keith Cronin leads Mark Higgins by four points.

All change for Challenge asphalt

Posted: May 19, 2009 7:26 PM

Corsa driver Richard Archer heads the field of BRC Challenge runners on this weekend’s Jim Clark Rally, as the British Rally Championship’s support series switches to asphalt for the first time in 2009.  

He leads the series by seven points with co-driver Thomas Ward, after not only taking maximum points on the Pirelli Rally, but winning the Challenge Rally outright, Archer’s first overall victory.  

His lead over Fiesta driver John Boyd does not extend to the Junior category though, as the local 22 year-old is the top placed under 25 driver. Boyd also leads the RC3 class in the Championship, a category that the Fiesta SportTrophy normally runs within. Since the Jim Clark is not a scoring round for the FST, it will be down to him and Tom Watson/Ken Bowman, running two cars further back, to uphold Fiesta honour against the rest of the field.  

Andy Gwynne and Holly Robinson are actually seeded second on the road, despite languishing in 21st place in the points table. Although Gwynne has undoubted pace in his Saxo, the Citroën’s handling has been compromised so far, running Subaru front suspension and suffering mechanical failure on the fourth stage of both opening rounds.  

Julian Wilkes and Will Rutherford have also had a frustrating season so far, fuel pressure problems leaving them trailing the rest of the field on both gravel events. Wilkes is relishing the switch back to asphalt, a surface on which has always excelled.  

Austin McKinlay and Anthony Palmer rejoin the BRCC, having sat out the Pirelli in their Peugeot 205. They are split from a brace of 106s by Watson’s, Fiesta, Brett Griffin/Sam Fordham’s RC2 class Peugeot running ahead of the RC1 car of brother and Sister team James and Helen Alexander. Griffin currently lies third in the Championship points table though, only ten points adrift of the leader Archer.  

Neil Matthews and John Connor are just inside the top ten on the road, suffering mechanical problems on round one and a self-confessed over cautious approach on the Pirelli.  

The remainder of the drivers are at a disadvantage too, James Watts having flown back to the UK from New Zealand to contest his first event in 2009, the Pirelli Rally, while David Radcliffe makes the trip from the Isle of Man to sample the Jim Clark for the first time in readiness for his home event in July.  

The BRC Challenge will contest four of Friday night’s stages including two blasts round the new Duns street test after a ceremonial start at FountainPark in Edinburgh from 7pm. The Jim Clark Challenge Rally finishes at around 4.30pm on Saturday following a further eight stages, running behind the main International event throughout.  

You can see coverage from the second round of the BRC Challenge tomorrow night (Wednesday 20th May) on Sky Sports Xtra at 5.30pm along with highlights from the other classes and a preview of the Jim Clark Rally.  

Jim Clark Challenge Rally - BRCC Entries (unofficial)
No Driver Co Driver Car Class
170 Richard Archer Thomas Ward Vauxhall  Corsa RC2
171 Andy Gwynne Holly Robinson Citroen  Saxo RC4
174 Julian Wilkes Will Rutherford Vauxhall  Nova RC1
173 John Boyd Craig Wallace Ford  Fiesta ST RC3
175 Austin McKinlay Anthony Palmer Peugeot  205 Gti RC3
177 Thomas Watson Kenneth Bowman Ford  Fiesta ST RC3
178 Brett Griffin Sam Fordham Peugeot  106 Gti RC2
182 James Alexander Helen Alexander Peugeot  106 Rallye RC1
185 Neil Matthews John Connor Vauxhall  Nova RC1
186 James Watts  tba Volkswagen  Polo RC1
187 David Radcliffe Steven Hartley Suzuki  Swift Gti RC1

TV Times for Jim Clark BRC

Posted: May 19, 2009 12:29 PM

TV Times for Jim Clark BRC

Re-invigorated Tom Cave heads north for Jim Clark Rally

Posted: May 18, 2009 2:51 PM

The UK’s first minor international rally driver, Tom Cave heads north next weekend for the next event in his 2009 programme, the Jim Clark Rally. And he takes with him renewed energy and optimism, following a superb result on his recent asphalt debut, the RDP Welsh Rally, which he finished fourth in class at his first attempt on the famous Epynt stages.

Tom will be using a new pace note system which he trialled successfully on the RDP Welsh Rally, in partnership with co-driver Phil Pugh on that occasion. In addition, he will be using his own Group N Ford Fiesta ST following an extensive re-preparation program by Davies Motorsport, the company set up by ex-ProDrive technician and Number Two mechanic for former world rally champion Petter Solberg.

The combination of this new pace note system, which he will need to work on with returning regular co-driver Gemma Price, the success on the RDP Welsh and the rebuilt Fiesta has filled the 17 year-old from Aberdovey with enthusiasm and energy for the next event in his 2009 programme, designed to develop his learning curve on some of rallying’s most iconic events.

Next weekend’s rally, the third round of the British Rally Championship, is the only UK mainland tarmac event to feature closed roads and is considered one of the UK’s most iconic rallies. Based in Kelso in the Scottish Border region, it is famed for its fast asphalt roads and changeable weather, meaning that Tom and Gemma will have their work cut out, to record a representative finish. However, Tom is quick to point out that as only his second all-asphalt rally, the finish is key.

“The objective for us next weekend is to get to the finish and maximise our tarmac experience,” said the 17 year-old. “I’m hoping that the experience we gained on the RDP rally over the Epynt stages, will serve us well here. We will be using the pace note system I trialled on that event with Phil on the Jim Clark and Gemma and I will be spending several evenings working on the system in the run-up to the event.

“I’m really looking forward to this rally; it feels like a fresh start for me, with Davies Motorsport looking after the car. I’ve spent some time in the workshop with the guys as they’re quite close to home and they are a really good bunch, so I’m feeling good for the event.

“I know the level of competition will be high, since it’s also a round of the Irish Tarmac Championship. I also know that two of the UK Fiesta runners, Craig Breen and Kris Hall will also be out, so we’ll start with a safe pace and increase our speed and keep an eye on their times in relation to ours.”

This event has a special significance for Tom, as his father Peter, the inspiration for his rallying, competed on the event three years ago, just before Tom started his competitive career in Latvia. “I’m really excited about driving on the same stages as I last saw my dad competing in his Subaru,” Tom explained. “The roads look fantastic; fast, bumpy and very challenging and it’s another amazing experience to be able to compete on an event of this stature.”

Based in the town of Kelso, this year’s Jim Clark Rally features an extremely challenging itinerary. The event begins with a ceremonial start in the centre of Edinburgh on the evening of Friday 22 May followed by six stages in the falling light, with the first crews not arriving at the end of leg service until gone midnight.

The second leg is even tougher, with an early start followed by no less than 11 stages throughout the day, ensuring plenty of opportunity for action. After starting the first stage at 8am and 235 competitive kilometres, the crews are expected to arrive at the finish ramp in Kelso at 6.20pm.

BRC's top ten ready for Jim Clark asphalt

Posted: May 17, 2009 2:35 PM

After two nail biting rounds on gravel, the MSA British Rally Championship moves to asphalt for the first time on the Jim Clark International Rally, which takes place on the Friday and Saturday of the second May Bank Holiday weekend (22/23 May)  

In an upset for triple title holder and regular Jim Clark winner Mark Higgins, 22 year-old Irishman Keith Cronin leads the BRC with two wins, both of which were taken on the very last stage of rounds one and two.  

Pirelli TEG Sport Impreza driver Higgins, this year rejoined in the co-drivers seat by another triple champion Bryan Thomas, will be steadying his nerve though, hoping to become the first driver to take five BRC wins in a row on the now classic round of the British Rally Championship. His first win was in 2000 with Thomas alongside, the second year of the event’s inclusion as a scoring round of the BRC, repeating the feat five times in total with an unblemished record since 2005.  

While Cronin will be sampling the Berwickshire lanes for the first time, co-driver Greg Shinnors should have sufficient experience to help the Irish youngster. Shinnors was so nearly a winner in 2006 alongside Irishman Rory Galligan, beaten on a tie break after equalling Higgins to the tenth of a second at the finish. Cronin’s experience on tar should stand him in good stead too, whilst not an asphalt-only driver at home, the ability to make notes on sealed surface should help.  

Scots David Bogie and Kevin Rae are seeded third BRC crew after an impressive podium place on their second event in the series. Their Mitsubishi Lancer Evo 10 is being developed as the season progresses at the hands of Team JRM Lico which currently leads the British Teams’ Rally Championship by eleven points.  

Second placed Pirelli TEG Sport again fields Adam Gould, the 2008 Pirelli Star Driver winner in the distinctively liveried Impreza N14. The Bristolian and his co-driver Seb Marshall have had an up-and -down start to the season, taking fourth on round one but retiring from the Pirelli Rally when they got stuck in a Kielder ditch.  

Stuart Jones returns to the JRM Lico fold, having sat out the Pirelli while his co-driver Andy Bull guided Daniel Sigurdarson in another Evo 10. The pair only needs to improve one place on their last year’s Jim Clark Rally to make a perfect finish, ending the event second to Higgins in 2008.  

Newcomers to the 2009 BRC are Geoff Jones and Sam Collins. Jones is more used to teaching and tuning in recent years, being one of the UK’s most respected test drivers and instructors as well as running his own successful preparation business. He drives on this event for the Revolution Wheels Rally Team in place of Rob Swann, who is sunning himself at the Barbados Rally Carnival.  

Jonny Greer and Anthony O’Conaill run seventh of the BRC crews and lie sixth in the Championship in an Evo 9. The Northern Irish driver has been improving in the British series in the last couple of years, taking fifth on last year’s Jim Clark to finish his first full season in the same place overall.  

Alastair Fisher has a little experience of the Jim Clark, but it is experience the Northern Irish youngster would rather forget. In his first year at the helm of a four wheel drive car in 2009, he will try to banish his early departure from last year’s event when he rolled heavily, retiring on the spot. His pace on the Pirelli bodes well for this season though, missing out on a podium by less than two seconds.  

Dave Weston Junior will probably be disappointed with his seeding back in ninth, but the Scot should take solace that road position on asphalt events is less important than on gravel where he is most at home. He is joined by the third co-driver this season, reuniting with Aled Davies after the pair debuted the N14 Impreza on Welsh tarmac earlier this month.  

Rounding off the top ten is another Scot Euan Thorburn, the Revolution Wheels driver partnered once again by the highest seeded female co-driver, Clare Mole. Thorburn should go well as he lives in Duns, the mix of local knowledge and Mole’s experience making a great combination for the Impreza crew.  

Just outside the top ten, but the final four wheel drive runners are Chris Firth and Martyn Taylor. The Yorkshire/Cumbria combination has worked well in Firth’s first BRC season, leaving him eighth overall in the points table after two rounds.  

The ceremonial start is based at Edinburgh’s FountainPark Leisure complex, with the event beginning at 4pm and a Radio Forth road show starting proceedings. Running through to 8pm on Friday 22nd May, the Ceremonial start show will be a major family attraction with entertainment for all ages.  

Some of the highlights include stunt displays by World Trails Champion Dougie Lampkin, live action from the Japspeed drift car team, a display of some of the cars owned by the late, great Colin McRae and opportunities to meet the stars during at autograph session (nominally 18.00 – 18.30) before Edinburgh’s Lord Provost flags the cars away at 7pm.  

Throughout the evening there will be stalls and merchandising to enjoy as well as the Edinburgh climbing wall to tackle and simulators to practice your rally skills. And look out for the Hearts football team mascots joining in all the fun.

MSA ASPHALT RALLY CHAMPIONSHIP - MELVYN’S IN THE DRIVING SEAT!…

Posted: May 13, 2009 2:33 PM

So far this season, MELVYN EVANS has proved untouchable in the Richard Egger Insurance MSA Asphalt Rally Championship! Victory on the Tour of Epynt was followed up by a resounding win on the Circuit of Ireland National Rally and then 2nd overall on the recent Manx Telecom Rally was more than enough to ensure that he and co-driver SEAN MULLALLY took maximum points once again. It goes without saying therefore that, as the pair head north, Melvyn leads the Drivers’ table while Sean, who was absent from the opening round, has moved up to 3rd place in the Co-drivers’ section.

Former MSA Gravel Rally Champions DAVID MANN/ALUN COOK (Subaru Impreza WRC) are contesting their second full season of asphalt events and they, too, have started the year well. Very respectable finishes on each of the three rounds so far have moved David into 2nd place, while Alun is currently the leading Co-driver.

Defending MSA Asphalt Rally Champions DAVID KYNASTON/ANDY RUSSELL suffered the indignity of a retirement on the Isle of Man when their Audi A3 Quattro developed electrical problems. No doubt much midnight oil will have been burnt in the short time between the Manx and the Jim Clark to ensure that the car is restored to its usual pristine condition. David & Andy won the rally last year, which must give them confidence in the face of some serious opposition.

The first of the two-wheel drive contenders in the Asphalt Championship to tackle the Jim Clark are WASHINGTON JAMES/DAI ROBERTS in their Darrian T90 GTR and, following two retirements and missing the Manx, a finish in the Scottish Borders is of prime importance. Right behind them is the Ford Escort MkII of SIMON MAUGER/BRIAN CAMMACK, also absent from the Manx, who made such an impression on the 2008 series with a string of excellent results.

JOHN STONE/LEE CARTER & MARK JASPER/DON WHYATT form a two-car Legend Motorsport team in their MG Metro 6R4s and both could do with a good result to move their respective seasons forward. Clutch failure eliminated Stone from the first round, while gearbox trouble did likewise for Jasper on the very first stage in Ireland, but Stone will take comfort from the fact that he was lying 2nd overall on last year’s Jim Clark National Rally at one point.

CHRIS RICE leads the Group N runners in his Subaru Impreza and, staying with four-wheel drive machinery, Scots crew DAVID HARDIE/JOHN McCULLOCH ended a barren period results-wise on the Manx by bringing their Subaru Impreza home to a Top 20 finish. A similar performance on their ‘home’ event would be just what the doctor ordered!

GRAHAM HOLLIS/ASHLEY TRIMBLE are enduring a ‘challenging’ season. Their normally reliable – and very quick! – Ford Escort RS suffered front suspension failure on Epynt and was also sidelined on the Manx by a combination of problems which began with a broken throttle cable. They could also do with reaching the finish of the Jim Clark in Kelso town square!…

Having performed so well on both Epynt and the Circuit of Ireland, ROSS HUNTER/EILDON HALL were brought back down to earth on the Isle of Man when their Mitsubishi Lancer EVO3 went out with a burst oil cooler. In terms of ‘distance travelled’ to the Jim Clark, theirs will be one of the shortest journeys and they will be hoping that, rather than breed contempt, familiarity will help their cause this time.

Having finished 3rd overall in the 2007 MSA Asphalt Championship, TOMMI GRAHAM/MIKE BAILEY are back for more this year. However, their Mitsubishi Lancer EVO9’s transmission has let them down, both on Epynt and on the Manx, leaving them yet to open their scoring. They last contested the Jim Clark two years ago and finished 17th – so that is the benchmark on which they will be looking to improve this time.

ROGER DONNAN/KIM BAKER (Ford Puma S1600) and ROD BENNETT/HENRY RICHARDSON (Fiat Punto S1600) are giving each other a hard time this season. Both crews have finished all three events to date, and usually quite close together! In Championship terms, Roger currently leads Rod by two maximums to one but, with only three points in it prior to the Jim Clark, there is a lot more to come from this one!

While – fortunately for them! – their fellow Class B11 competitors have been experiencing a variety of problems, PETE HUGHES/CHRIS EVANS (Ford Escort MkII) have managed to steer clear of any such bothers and, with three finishes from three starts to their credit, not only do they lead the class but they are also 3rd & 2nd overall in their respective Championship categories! After a body-damaging off in Ireland, MEIRION EVANS/PAUL WAKELY rejoin the fray in their similar Escort.

RICHARD CLEWS/BARRY JAMES return to the Championship in their ex-Ford Fiesta Sporting Trophy car, while GEOFF GLOVER/CHARLIE TURNER will have given their Vauxhall Astra RWD a quick spruce up following its trip to the Isle of Man.

Having lost ground to MARTIN NEWSON/PETER MORRIS on the Manx when their MG ZR suffered problems with a gearbox oil seal, ROLAND JONES/KATE GAMEZ will be looking to reverse the roles and take what would be their first finish of the season.

The ‘Jim Clark’ is still the UK mainland’s only closed-road rally and, for many ‘asphalt’ drivers, is the very essence of the sport they love. Nevertheless, it is a huge challenge and merely reaching the finish is an achievement in itself. The event marks the halfway point in the Richard Egger Insurance MSA Asphalt Rally Championship and the results may well give some indication as to how the remainder of the season will shape up. Watch this space!…

Entry Lists

Posted: May 8, 2009 2:25 PM

International Top 10:
No Driver /Co-Driver (Car) [Class]
1 Eamonn Boland /Damien Morrissey (Subaru Impreza WRC) [R5]
2 Tim McNulty /David Moynihan (Subaru Impreza WRC) [R5]
3 Gareth MacHale /Brian Murphy (Ford Focus WRC) [R5]
4 Eugene Donnelly /Paddy Toner (Skoda Fabia WRC) [R5]
5 Aaron MacHale /Barry Goodman (Ford Focus WRC) [R5]
6 Mark Higgins /Bryan Thomas (Subaru Impreza N11) [R4 ]
7 Keith Cronin /Greg Shinnors (Mitsubishi Lancer EVO 9) [R4]
8 David Bogie /Kevin Rae (Mitsubishi Lancer EVO 10) [R4 ]
9 Adam Gould /Sebastian Marshall (Subaru Impreza N14) [R4 ]
10 Stuart Jones /Andy Bull (Mitsubishi Lancer EVO 10) [R4 ]

Full Entry Lists on:

• Jim Clark Memorial Rally

Regulations available

Posted: March 23, 2009 9:25 AM

• Jim Clark Memorial Rally

Jim Clark Rally Roars into the Capital

Posted: March 4, 2009 4:05 PM

Scotland’s capital city today (Wednesday) played host to the launch of the Jim Clark Rally 2009.  

The event celebrates the life of Scotland’s legendary World Motor Racing Champion, and is the only tarmac closed-road rally on mainland Britain.  

A host of new attractions and features are being introduced to this year’s rally in order to widen its appeal and attract new visitors from within the UK and across the world.  Its organisers have secured the backing of Edinburgh’s premier leisure destination FountainPark in their bid to enhance the rally’s already worldwide reputation as an outstanding event.  

The launch of the rally took place at FountainPark – which will host the event’s spectacular opening ceremonial start in May.  Rally organiser Colin Pagan and FountainPark marketing manager Julie Goulden were joined by Scottish rally driver Stevie Brown and his FordFiesta ST rally car to mark the occasion.  

Traditionally one of the most popular events on the UK motorsport calendar, the Jim Clark Rally is famous for high-speed jumps and good weather – an unusual occurrence at many rallies.   

When the event kicks off over the Bank Holiday weekend of 22nd to 24th May Fountain Park will be the location of a high-octane rally festival featuring stars and cars from across the motorsport world.  Following its official start in the capital, the rally will then progress to rural Berwickshire and Jim Clark’s hometown of Duns.  On the Friday and Saturday legs of the rally, selected streets in Duns will thunder to the sound of high powered rally cars when a super special stage runs through the centre of the Berwickshire county town.  There will also be a new class introduced for historic rally cars and motor sport heritage show.  

With a total of 220 miles of special stages criss-crossing the borders and a new rally festival village, spectators will be treated to an exciting weekend as old and new come together to create the spectacle of the 2009 Jim Clark Rally.  

Jim Clark Rally Manager Colin Pagan said: 
“We feel that the 2009 Jim Clark Rally will provide an exciting mix of the familiar along with lots of fresh innovations, which will maintain the Jim Clark Rally’s reputation as one of the best events in the country - for both competitor and spectator.  We are delighted with our new partnership with FountainPark and the valuable support we have received from it.  This has enabled us to return to Edinburgh and ensure as many people as possible can see the rally.  It’s also very exciting to be able to bring special stage rallying right into the heart of Duns - very much the spiritual home of the event, and just a few miles away from where Jim Clark farmed before going on to become World Motor Racing Champion.”  

Fountain Park General Manager Mary Turner said:
“FountainPark believes this joint venture with the Jim Clark Rally is a positive step in bringing a great spectator sport into a city centre leisure environment.  The Jim Clark Rally is a very popular event in the motor sport diary and we are pleased to be hosting this event.  Everything is geared up for the spectators to have a great day and this is sure to be a terrific start to a weekend of great motor sport.”

JIM CLARK RALLY TAKES TO THE STREETS

Posted: March 2, 2009 3:03 PM

The 2009 Jim Clark Rally will for the first time feature a competitive street stage.

The organisers are pleased to confirm that plans for a super special stage to be run in the centre of Duns are well underway. With the co-operation of the people of the town paramount, the route of the proposed stage was recently unveiled at a public meeting. The county town of Berwickshire, Duns sits in the heartland of the Jim Clark Rally, which this year takes place over the Bank Holiday weekend of 22nd to 24th May.
Mainland Britain’s only closed public road rally, the Jim Clark will once again see competition take place over a number of testing special stages set throughout rural Berwickshire. But, on the Friday and Saturday legs of the rally, selected streets in Duns will also thunder to the sound of high powered rally cars.

The Jim Clark International Rally will visit the stage three times during the Friday and Saturday, and plans are in hand for the super special to form the central part of a motor sport heritage show.

Jim Clark Rally Manager Colin Pagan said:
“It’s great that we’re able to bring exciting special stage rallying right into the heart of Duns - very much the spiritual home of the event, and just a few miles away from where Jim Clark farmed before going on to become World Motor Racing Champion. We also hope that this will form the centre of a motor sport and Jim Clark heritage show. Whether you’re from Duns, a visiting rally fan or a competitor, we’re sure this will be an exciting spectacle which can only help to further enhance the reputation of this great event.”

Back to 3 day format - Historic Rally Reintroduced

Posted: March 2, 2009 3:01 PM

The Jim Clark Rally will be returning to a three day format for 2009. In confirming the dates of the rally as the 22nd to 24th May, the organisers have announced a full programme of events which will see more of the rally’s activities take place in its traditional home town of Duns. A historic event has also been reintroduced.

The weekend’s action commences in Edinburgh on the Friday evening with the start of the Jim Clark International Rally. Competitors will head down over the Lammermuir Hills to the Jim Clark’s familiar territory in Berwickshire. And with the National Rally starting simultaneously in Duns, there will be shades of the early days of mainland Britain's only closed road rally, with the reintroduction of special stages run in the dark. The International event will be a counting round of the British and Irish rally championships, and along with the National event, will be run on the Friday and Saturday of the bank holiday weekend. Competition will be centred on the Borders town of Kelso where central servicing will take place.

Another feature from the past will see the reintroduction of the Historic Rally, and this will take over from the International Rally on Saturday afternoon, to be joined by the ever popular Jim Clark Reivers Rally on Sunday. Both these events will be centred, serviced and run separately from Duns - another move resonant of the first few years in which the rally was run in its current tarmac format.

The organisers are pleased that while the Jim Clark Rally continues to incorporate rounds of prestigious national championships, it is also addressing the wishes of many club competitors, and indeed spectators, in staging the Reivers and Historic events, based on the Jim Clark’s traditional heartland of Duns and its surrounding area. It’s hoped that these events will continue to develop their own character while fully complementing the international and national events to contribute in making the Jim Clark Rally one of the most exciting motor sport weekend’s of the year.

With a total of 220 miles of special stages criss-crossing the central servicing venues, and the order of the running of individual rallies changing during the event, spectators will be given an exciting weekend to keep them on their toes as, in a variety of ways, old and new come together to create the spectacle of the 2009 Jim Clark Rally.

Rally Manager Colin Pagan said: "We certainly feel that the 2009 event will provide an exciting mix of the familiar, along with lots of fresh innovations, to maintain the Jim Clark Rally as one of the best events in the country - whether for competitor or spectator. We're working on the details of a number of other aspects, and we'll be letting everyone know about these in the very near future. Once again Berwickshire in May is the only place to be for rally fans."

Event Website / Details

Posted: January 1, 2009 12:01 AM

• Jim Clark Memorial Rally