Grampian Forest Rally - (Sat) 13 Aug 22

CRONIN/GALVIN'S LONG HAUL QUEST FOR POINTS HAUL

Posted: August 9, 2022 10:53 AM

Saturday’s Grampian Forest Rally based near Banchory, west of Aberdeen, sees the 2022 British Rally Championship reach it’s half-way point, and for series leaders, Keith Cronin and Mikie Galvin, the 900 kilometre trip from their respective Ballylickey and Killarney bases marks the longest journey of the season. They currently hold an eleven point advantage at the head of the standings ahead of Welshman, Osian Pryce, who is also partnered by a Killarney co-driver, Noel O’Sullivan. There has been little to choose between the crews on pace so far this season, and both are equipped with similar examples of the Volkswagen Polo GTi. Pryce has secured two wins, while Cronin recorded victory on the BRC’s last foray to Scotland in May, and has two second places.

The Grampian may be a long way from home for many of the BRC regulars, but the rally itself will be short and sharp, consisting of six stages in the Durris, Fetteresso and Drumtochty forests, totalling 43 competitive miles. Having been forced to run the behind closed doors twelve months ago, the organisers, Stonehaven and District Motor Club, are welcoming spectators back for the 2022 edition, and will provide dedicated viewing points on the stages. There will be additional opportunities to view the cars at the Ceremonial Start in Banchory on Saturday morning, while the victory celebrations will take place at nearby Milton of Crathes from around 4.15pm.

Speaking at a pre-event test in Ireland, Cronin emphasised the importance of the Grampian to the eventual outcome of the 2022 BRC:
“This phase of the championship will be crucial to the final reckoning at the end of the year,” said Cronin, who is chasing a record-equalling fifth British title. “Osian and Noel have two maximum scores from the two rounds they finished, we have one maximum from the win on the Jim Clark Rally and two seconds. The best five out of seven results count, so dropped scores will come into play soon. I know we’re ahead at the moment, but in reality it’s not as quite as healthy as it looks, we need to be finishing the rallies in front of them”.

Pryce and O’Sullivan are seeded at Number 1, followed by Cronin and Galvin at 2. Former British championship contender, David Bogie, is seeded at three, and will be endeavouring to uphold Scots honour in his Ford Fiesta Rally 2.
“I expect David to go very well on Saturday”, said Cronin. “He isn’t registered for the BRC on this occasion, so if he’s ahead I don’t intend to get into a battle with him, I’ll be prioritising points. When we did the BRC last year, things didn’t really gel for us overall, but the Grampian was actually our best result of the season, so I’m obviously hoping things will go well again this time”.

Elliot Payne/Patrick Walsh and Garry Pearson/Dale Furniss complete the top five seeds in Ford Fiestas, with the latter crew also chasing host nation honours.

The first stage of the Grampian Forest Rally will commence just before 9.30am.

Keith Cronin and Mikie Galvin are supported in the British Rally Championship by M O’Brien Group of Companies, Keohane Seafoods, Inver Energy, Cremin Coaches, Cronin’s HomeValue Hardware, Cronin’s Centra (Ballylickey, Leap and Union Hall) and Pirelli Tyres.

BRC gets ready for Grampian Forest Rally assault

Posted: August 9, 2022 10:51 AM

The Motorsport UK British Rally Championship will head for some of the finest gravel stages in Scotland next weekend, as it makes the long trip north for round four of series, the Voyonic Grampian Forest Rally [13 August].

Based just 15 miles west of Aberdeen near the town of Banchory, the Grampian will provide crews with blisteringly fast and flowing loose surface tests in the Durris, Fetteresso and Drumtochty forests in a one-day blast through the breath-taking landscape.

With only a handful of the BRC front-runners sampling the Kincardineshire forests in 2021, the event is likely to throw even more unpredictability into the mix, as the BRC1 top-flight, Junior BRC and National Rally Title protagonists battle for top honours and maximum championship points to boot.

The 2022 season has already provided intensely close competition across the categories with the asphalt of Essex opening proceedings at the Corbeau Seats Rally Tendring & Clacton before the popular Beatson’s Building Supplies Jim Clark Rally made a welcome return to the roster in May. The Nicky Grist Stages marked the switch to gravel in July and the highly regarded Scottish stages continue that theme before a return to asphalt in September.

The last time the BRC visited Banchory, it would be M-Sport’s Director and test driver Matthew Wilson who enjoyed a start-to-finish victory in his Fiesta Rally2 but judging by this year’s form, it's unlikely to see such dominance from any of the BRC1 contenders.

Four-time BRC champion Keith Cronin currently heads the standings after three rounds, the Irishman and co-driver Mikie Galvin taking their Pirelli-shod Volkswagen Polo GTi to two runner-up spots and a win at the Jim Clark for good measure so far in 2022.

The battle between the Emerald Isle duo and last year’s championship runners-up Osian Pryce and Noel O`Sullivan has been a blistering affair so far, with Pryce taking first blood in Clacton, followed up by a win at the Nicky Grist. The only blot on their copybook was a zero score at the Jim Clark and the pairing are the nearest challenger to Cronin’s 11-point lead. Pryce seems much more settled in his Melvyn Evans Motorsport run Polo GTi and the Michelin-equipped machine could do well in Scotland.

James Williams and co-driver Dai Roberts will be aiming to bring their run of asphalt form onto gravel as their sealed surface results have seen them secure two podiums this season. A non-finish in the forests of Wales held them back in the points, but with dropped scores available as usual, the Hyundai i20 squad are very much still in the title fight.

Garry Pearson and Dale Furniss will be digging deep in their Hankook-backed Fiesta Rally2 in a bid to add to their Jim Clark Rally podium. Pearson is arguable the most experienced BRC contender on the Grampian stages and could well convert that into a rally winning pace.

He will be up against an ever-improving Jason Pritchard who scored his first BRC podium of the season in Wales. Visibly getting quicker as the miles tick by, Pritchard and co-driver Phil Clarke are up for the fight in their Polo GTi.

Elliot Payne is another to impress this season and after skipping the Nicky Grist, returns to the BRC for his first gravel event in the BRC1 category. You will not miss his Fiesta Rally2’s livery and with co-driver Patrick Walsh alongside, they could easily trouble the leaders.

Ruairi Bell and Max Freeman are long overdue a positive result after a rollercoaster of a season in their Skoda Fabia. Look out for Bell’s raw pace as he is more than capable of challenging for the lead.

Andy Davies did not stop smiling in Wales as he returned to the series after a mammoth Clacton crash. With Michael Gilbey on the notes, Davies enjoyed his first finish of the season and will be looking to build the pace in his Ford Fiesta.

National Rally Title

It’s 2019 National runner-up Alan Carmichael with Arthur Kierans at the top of the standings thanks to two wins so far this season in their Hyundai i20, but Mick O’Brien and Claire Williams are strong contenders to push for victory in their raucous Focus WRC.

William Mains enlists the services of Emily Easton-Page for only his second ever gravel event, using his Vauxhall Corsa and aiming to add to an impressive Grist podium. Despite being an asphalt ace, Mains will use his bonus points inducing Joker on the gravel next weekend.

Junior British Rally Championship

It was on the Grampian last year that Eamonn Kelly and Conor Mohan took their first Junior British Rally Championship win and they head to Banchory in the lead of the series thanks to a consistent run of form and a Jim Clark win in their Fiesta Rally4.

But they will be chased by Peugeot 208 Rally4 aces Kyle White and Sean Topping who are hot on their heels after being awarded the Nicky Grist victory due to an event administration error. Such is White’s confidence; he will utilise his Joker at the event.

Ioan Lloyd/Sion Williams got back into the grove in Wales after a large shunt on the Jim Clark, with some confidence-boosting times coming from the young pairing in their Peugeot 208 Rally2. Like Johnnie Mulholland/Eoin Treacy in their Fiesta Rally4, each will be looking to rack up the points as the season beings to gather pace.

Six stages and 43 miles of competitive action lie in wait for the crews on Saturday with two opportunities for service throughout the day before the champagne finish celebrations at Milton of Crathes from around 16:20.

KNC Groundworks Scottish Rally Championship - Grampian could be Pivotal Point in 2022 Season

Posted: August 9, 2022 10:49 AM

The KNC Groundworks Scottish Rally Championship joins forces with the British Rally Championship for round 6 of the 2022 season, the Voyonic Grampian Forest Rally. David Bogie & John Rowan top the Scottish seeding in their new Fiesta Rally 2. The 5 times champion looking for more miles after being forced out of the Scottish after only 2 stages.

David Henderson & Chris Lees line up 2nd. Fresh from a podium at the Scottish they showed rally winning pace but were delayed with punctures. The Fiesta crew a definite team to watch for the rest of the season.

Championship leaders Michael Binnie & Claire Mole's amazing season continued with another fantastic win at the Scottish. The Evo crew flying the flag for the older style 4wd cars up against the R5 and Rally 2s.
Jock Armstrong & Cammy fair missed the Scottish after Cammy was involved in a mountain bike accident. 3 weeks later and Cammy is on the mend. The Impreza crew looking to turn their luck around after a difficult season so far.

Local stars and good friends Bruce McCombie & John Wink line up next. The Focus driver missed the Scottish due to car prep issues.

The Hyundai man reminded everyone of what he could do in the woods, battling for a podium until unfortunately rolling out.

Mark McCulloch & Michael Hendry line up just in front of the black R5 Fiesta of Hugh Brunton & Drew Sturrock. 2nd on the Scottish was their best gravel performance so far in the SRC, announcing themselves as real contenders in 2022.
ALM teammates Angus Lawrie & Willie Paterson top the Albyn Garage Challengers seeding. Both Evos were podium contenders at the Scottish and finished separated by just 6 seconds at the finish. Look out for another ding dong battle between them on the Grampian.

The Autoshop 2wd entry is absolutely stacked. Peter Stewart's 208 lining up in front of Speyside & Scottish winner Stuart Egglestone and Escort legend Steve Bannister. Steve also topping the Haddo Energy Super Seniors. John Crawford, Gordon Murray, Paddy Munro & Irish driver Paul Mcerlean swelling the Escort ranks.

Looking to challenge the Ford domination, David Wilson returns in his orange BMW with young Michael Moates in the hotseat. David showed he could challenge the Mk2s on the Speyside despite being in much more affordable machinery, the big question is can he do it again?

Keith & Mairi Riddick top the 1600 fwd challengers, just ahead of Moates Offshore Juniors Robert Proudlock & Justin Gunning.

The Adam pilot has put together a very consistent and fast campaign with 3 wins. The Fiesta driver on the other hand has shown great pace but hasn't had the rub of the green.

The 5 Star Vehicle Deliveries Subaru Cup is coming down to a 2 way fight between Mike Moates & Orrin McDonnell. Moates has once again been Mr. Consistent, finishing every round this year. Orrin's season started poorly but has really got going since the Jim Clark. 2 wins in a row moving the Orange Impreza into title contention.

In the Ladies contest, Aileen Forrest tops the championship standings and the entry list. The Evo driver fresh from an excellent run on the Scottish, taking her 3rd win of the year.

Chasing her down both Ashleigh Morris & Meghan O'Kane were delayed with various issues on the Scottish but will be looking to bounce back on the Grampian.

Seeded Entry List

Posted: August 6, 2022 4:46 AM

1 Osian Pryce/Noel O'Sullivan (VW Polo GTI R5) [Class BRC1]
2 Keith Cronin/Mikie Galvin (VW Polo GTI R5) [Class BRC1]
3 David Bogie/John Rowan (Ford Fiesta Rally2) [Class Pro4]
4 Elliot Payne/Patrick Walsh (Ford Fiesta Rally2) [Class BRC1]
5 Garry Pearson/Dale Furniss (Ford Fiesta Rally2) [Class BRC1]
6 David Henderson/Chris Lees (Ford Fiesta Rally2) [Class Pro4]
7 Michael Binnie/Claire Mole (Mitsubishi Lancer Evo IX) [Class M7]
8 James Williams/Dai Roberts (Hyundai i20 R5) [Class BRC1]
9 Jason Tauber Pritchard/Phil Clarke (VW Polo GTI R5) [Class BRC1]
10 Jock Armstrong/Cameron Fair ( ) []
11 Ruairi Bell/Max Freeman (Skoda Fabia R5) [Class BRC1]
12 Bruce McCombie/Michael Coutts (Ford Focus) [Class Pro4]
14 John Wink/Neil Shanks (Hyundai i20 R5) [Class Pro4]
15 Mark McCulloch/Michael Hendry (Proton Satria Evo) [Class M7]
16 Hugh Brunton/Drew Sturrock (Ford Fiesta R5) [Class Pro4]
17 Angus Lawrie/Paul Gribben (Mitsubishi Lancer Evo 9) [Class M7]
18 Scott Beattie/Peredur Davies (Mitsubishi Lancer evo 7) [Class M7]
19 William Paterson/Tom Hynd (Mitsibushi Lancer Evo 9) [Class M7]
20 Andy Davies/Michael Gilbey (Ford Fiesta R5) [Class BRC1]
21 Chris Collie/Ricky Finlayson (Mitsubishi Lancer Evo 9) [Class M7]
22 Alan Carmichael/Arthur Kierans (Hyundai i20 R5) [Class Pro4]
23 Michael O'Brien/Claire Williams (Ford Focus WRC) [Class BRC1]
24 Robert Adamson/Jamie Edwards (Ford Fiesta Rally2) [Class Pro4]
25 Scott Mccombie/Murray Strachan (Mitsubishi Lancer Evo 6) [Class M7]
26 Eamonn Kelly/Conor Mohan (Ford Fiesta Rally4) [Class BRC4]
27 Kyle White/Sean Topping (Peugeot 208 Rally4) [Class BRC4]
28 Simon Hay/Calum Jaffray (Mitsubishi Lancer Evo 6) [Class M6]
29 Stephen Dickson/TBC (Ford Fiesta R5) [Class Pro4]
30 Johnnie Mulholland/Eoin Treacy (Ford Fiesta Rally4) [Class BRC4]
31 Ioan Lloyd/Sion Williams (Peugeot 208 Rally4) [Class BRC4]
32 John Rintoul/Ross Hynd (Ford Fiesta R5) [Class Pro4]
33 Peter Stewart/Harry Marchbank (Peugeot 208) [Class Pro2]
34 Stuart Egglestone/Brian Hodgson (Ford Escort) [Class H1]
35 Steve Bannister/Callum Atkinson (Ford Escort Mk2) [Class H2]
36 Kevin Crawford/Andrew Stevenson (Mitsubishi Lancer Evo 9) [Class M7]
37 Ashley Dickson/TBC (Ford Fiesta Rally2) [Class Pro4]
38 John Crawford/Josh Davison (Ford Escort Mk2) [Class M4]
39 Stuart Irvine/Marc Irvine (Hyundai Accent WRC) [Class Pro4]
40 Keith Riddick/Mairi Riddick (MG ZR) [Class M2]
41 Gordon Murray/Michael Cruickshank (Ford Escort MK2) [Class M5]
42 Allan Mcdowall/Mark Casey (Ford Escort Mk 2) [Class M5]
43 Paddy Munro/Dave O'Brien (TBA ) [Class M4]
44 Paul Mcerlean/Niall Mckenna (Ford Escort Mk2) [Class M5]
45 David wilson/Micheal Moates (Bmw Compact) [Class M5]
46 Tom Coughtrie/Ian Fraser (Ford Fiesta R5) [Class Pro4]
47 Matthew Thomson/Ian Graham (Subaru Impreza) [Class C5]
48 William Mains/Emily Easton-Page (Vauxhall Corsa) [Class C1]
49 Jim Robertson/Mike Curry (Ford Escort Mk2) [Class H2]
50 Mike Moates/Gary McDonald (Subaru Impreza) [Class C5]
51 Robert Proudlock/Steven Brown (Vauxhall Adam) [Class M2]
52 Justin Gunning/Steven Clark (Ford Fiesta R2) [Class M2]
53 Kenny Wood/Gordon Chalmers (BMW E30) [Class M4]
54 Scott Peacock/Craig Wallace (MG ZR) [Class M2]
55 Graeme Sherry/Ewan Lees (Opel Manta 400) [Class C3]
56 Darren McDonald/Sarah Young (Subaru Impreza) [Class C5]
57 Craig Smith/Charles Mackenzie (Vauxhall Astra) [Class C3]
58 Richard Stewart/Carin Tait-Logan (Peugeot 208) [Class Pro2]
59 Aileen Forrest/John Forrest (Mitsubishi Lancer Evo 9) [Class M7]
60 Donald Brooker/Tony Booth (Subaru Legacy RS) [Class H2]
61 Dougal Brown/Lewis Rochford (Ford Escort Mk2) [Class M4]
62 Thomas Rapson/Michael Sutherland (Subaru Impreza) [Class C5]
63 Ernie Lee/Patricia Lee (BMW 325i) [Class H2]
64 Neil Philip/Ian Philip (Subaru Impreza) [Class C5]
65 Rhuaridh Campbell/Shaina Archibald (Chrysler Sunbeam) [Class M4]
66 John Brownie/Daniel Christie (Opel Kadett C) [Class C3]
67 Hugo Macmillan/Arthur MacMillan (Ford MK1 Escort RS1600) [Class H1]
68 David Mcleod/Eamonn Boyle (Chrysler Sunbeam) [Class H1]
69 Jim McDowall/Shona Hale (Ford Escort Mk11) [Class M4]
70 colin patterson/Gary Clark (Ford Escort Mk2) [Class C3]
71 Orrin McDonnell/Eoghan Anderson (Subaru Impreza) [Class M6]
72 Martyn Erskine/Kieran Hyslop (Peugeot 206 Cup) [Class C2]
73 Iain Urquhart/Michael Mackenzie (Mitsubishi Lancer Evo 5) [Class C5]
74 Ashleigh Morris/Martin Haggett (Ford Fiesta R200) [Class M2]
75 Alan Wallace/Martin Forrest (Mitsibushi Lancer evo 7) [Class C5]
76 Jimmy Jack/John Shepheard (Talbot Sunbeam) [Class M4]
77 Alexander Ian Milne/Sandy Milne (Ford Escort Mk2) [Class H2]
78 Chris Baillie/Brian Foggo (Peugeot 205 GTI) [Class C2]
79 Robert Tonge/James Hudson (MG ZR) [Class C1]
80 Meghan O'Kane/John O'Kane (Ford Fiesta) [Class M2]
81 Cameron Black/John Jack (Mazda 323 Turbo 4x4) [Class C5]
82 Edward Noble/Liam Bremner (Ford Fiesta ST) [Class C3]
83 David Sutherland/Danny Sutherland (Peugeot 205) [Class C2]
84 Greg Grant/Emma Cooper (Ford Focus ST) [Class C3]
85 Terry Smith/Kenny Foggo (Suzuki Swift) [Class M2]
86 Gareth Dalgliesh/Kenneth Dalgliesh (Subaru Impreza) [Class C5]
87 Gordon Robertson/Rajwinder Jutley (Ford Escort) [Class C3]
88 Murray mackay/Andrew macaskill (Skoda Fabia) [Class C1]
89 Graeme morrison/Kyle Morrison (Ford Escort Mk2) [Class M4]

Class C1 SRC Clubman category Two Wheel Drive cars up to 1450cc.
Class C2 SRC Clubman category Two Wheel Drive cars from 1451cc to 1650cc.
Class C3 SRC Clubman category Two Wheel Drive cars from 1651cc to 2050cc
Class C4 SRC Clubman category Two Wheel Drive cars over 2051cc.
Class C5 SRC Clubman category Four wheel drive cars.
Class M1 SRC Modified category Two wheel drive cars up to 1450cc.
Class M2 SRC Modified category Two wheel drive cars from 1451cc up to 1650cc ( includes any FIA homologated R2 car (naturally aspirated only) and non-homologated forced induction cars up to 1000cc ).
Class M3 SRC Modified category Two wheel drive cars from 1651cc up to 2050cc (includes any FIA homologated R3 car (naturally aspirated only) and non-homologated forced induction cars from 1001cc up to 1600cc).
Class M4 SRC Modified category Rear Wheel drive cars from 1651cc up to 2050cc.
Class M5 SRC Modified category Two wheel drive cars over 2051cc.
Class M6 SRC Modified category Four wheel drive cars not classified in Class M7 or Pro4, without a sequential gearbox (including previously FIA homologated Group N four wheel drive cars). Includes any FIA homologated Rally 3 car.
Class M7 SRC Modified category Four wheel drive cars homologated in the following classes, or previously homologated as such, providing these run as per their homologation papers: FIA Homologated Group A Four Wheel Drive cars, FIA Homologated Super 2000 cars FIA Homologated R4 cars All Metro 6R4’s and any de
Class H1 All Historic category 1 and 2 cars. Historic category 3 cars with single cam engines Historic category 4 cars up to 1600cc.
Class H2 Historic category 3 cars with multicam engine. Historic category 4 cars over 1601cc in compliance with R49.1.5.
Class Pro4 SRC Pro Category FIA Homologated Rally1/WRC cars and cars previously homologated as such and FIA Homologated Rally2/R5 cars and any derivative thereof including RHD conversions.
Class Pro2 SRC Pro Category FIA homologated Rally4/R2T cars, FIA homologated R3T cars and cars previously homologated as such and any derivative thereof including right hand conversions.
Class BRC1 Cars competing in and complying with BRC regulations for Class BRC1
Class BRC2 Cars competing in and complying with BRC regulations for Class BRC3.
Class BRC4 Cars competing in and complying with BRC regulations for Class BRC4 and Junior BRC.
Class BRC5 All cars competing in and complying with BRC regulations for Class BRC5.

Website / Details

Posted: August 6, 2022 4:39 AM

Grampian Stages