Speyside Stages - (Sat) 20 Aug 05

Posted: August 28, 2005 1:17 PM

Leading away the field was last years winner Barry Johnson looking for a repeat of that performance, allowing him to become the first twice winner of the event and in doing so clinching the Country SAAB Scottish Rally Championship.

As the first stage got underway at the Cooper Park, the numerous spectators who turned up were treated to a display of skill and ability as drivers hurtled round the perimeter road, but as times were recorded it was Aberdeen’s Dave Weston in a Ford Focus who had set the pace posting a pair of fastest times in the first two stages, including a sub 50 second in he second stage only matched by Matthew Wilson (son of Ford Rallying team boss) in another Focus. Barry Johnson was in third place with 3 seconds separating the trio. Also making an impression was potato farmer Steve Bannister in an ageing Mk2 Escort managing to leave the Cooper Park in a highly creditable 9th place as he battled the more powerful 4wd WRC machinery.

Leaving Elgin the rally moved to the first forest stage on the out skirts of Forres at Newtyle; here Weston was to suffer a puncture within 400 yards of start and was forced to drive the rest of the stage loosing 57 seconds to Johnson and dropping down the field to 20th place. Johnson choice of tyres enabled him to draw clear from the field, leapfrogging Matthew Wilson to take over the lead by 9 seconds. Northern Irish brothers Phillip and Simon Morrow also took advantage of a good tyre choice to move up to third. The stage also proved unkind to others including Alan Dickson in his Subaru Impreza who had been making steady progress when the gear linkage broke partway into the six mile stage leaving them in neutral and unable to continue. 63 Car Club member Innes Clark was also to suffer from this stage, after loosing power part way through stage manage to limp to end and on to complete forth stage before suspected failed turbo charger force early retirement. Later after managing to reach service the fault was traced to a flattened exhaust pipe blocking the escape of gases and strangling the engine. Stage four at Heldon Hill say Barry Johnson make a clear brake from the field when he finished 21 sec ahead if Wilson and opened up a 30sec lead on the event. Weston also posted a top time on this stage to move the Aberdeen driver up from 20th to 7th place. Dumfries’s Malcolm Proudlock setting a third fasted time managing to snatch 3rd place from the Morrow brothers, who themselves were only just holding off ITV rally pundit and former Renault works driver Robbie Head; competing in his first event in three years. The slippery positions saw Steve Bannister loose out against the 4wd drivers and slip back to 18th place although he still retained the lead in the 2wd category.

The cars followed stage four with a short service at Elgin Academy before moving on to compete the Tauchers wood stage at Keith. This stage saw Johnson, Wilson and Weston set equal times through the 2.7 miles of fast flowing forest track. Moving on to stage six Weston again set fastest time along with Johnson they covered the 7.68 mile stage in 7minutes 41 seconds. This time was enough to bring Weston from 7th to 3rd place relegating Proudlock to 4th. The Morrow brothers struck transmission troubles and failed to make it to the stage letting Robbie Head up into 5th place. Following a short service at Huntly Mart where the top runners swapped seconds through the fast flowing stage but placings remained unchanged. The penultimate stage in Clashindarroch Forest brought its own drama as by the end Johnson appeared with a worried look on his face, as the car have developed gear selection problems coupled to very poor brakes. Thankfully for him there was the last service of the day a short distance away at Huntly Mart where the service hurriedly set about finding the cause of his problems. With seconds to spare before they were due to leave for the final stage, the mechanics emerged from under the car, drenched in a combination of sweat and gearbox oil. A hydraulic pipe had been the cause of Barry’s woes but the crew had found the split and completed the repair.

They rally now moved back to Keith to contest the final stage, a re-run of Tauchers Wood, but in the opposite direction from stage 5. Johnson after his problems had a steady run through and Wilson took fastest time, but only 3 sec faster than the rally leader. As they returned to the finish ramp in Elgin, Johnson had managed to secure not only the winning of the Speyside Stages for a record second time, but in doing so tied up this years Scottish Rally Championship. Matthew Wilson finished in second place, but was not to disappointed as this had been his first outing after near 4 month lay off after a 100mph accident earlier this year in the Rally of Wales and he could be happy that he was well on the way to being ready for the Rally GB in September. Third placed Weston had fought back magnificently but was left to rue the puncture in stage three where he lost 57 seconds. In one final charge TV pundit Head managed to complete the last stage 5seconds faster than Proudlock moving him up into 4th place. Proudlock now in 5th can console himself in that he still managed to retain his second place in the Scottish Championship and a good finish in the next round should tie up the runners up spot for the Dumfries hotelier.

This years Speyside stages again proved it worth in the Scottish calendar and the organisers were delighted with the quality of the competitors in the event. They would like to take this opportunity to thank all who marshalled, competed and supported the rally and look forward to seeing them again at next years rally.

A big thank you also to the sponsors Gleaner Oil and Gas who have confirmed that they are to continue to support the event next year.

Speyside Stages (Scotland)

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PRE EVENT NEWS

• Preview
• Top 12
• Matthew Wilson's Return
• Robbies Head(ing) to Speyside
• Regulations available
• Event Details - The Countdown is on…….

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14/08/05
Preview
With the entries in and record 96 starters this years Gleaner Speyside Stages look like being the best ever. Since it was first run in 1997 the event has grown in popularity and this year’s ninth running has brought about not only a quantity field, but also a field of quality.

Leading away from the Moray College to the first stage at the Cooper Park is last year’s winner Barry Johnson. Cars will be leaving start line in the park stage at 30-second intervals, meaning spectators are sure to see some non-stop action. Hot on Barry’s heels is the Eddie Stobbart driver Matthew Wilson in his Ford Focus WRC with former Scottish Rally winner Dave Weston behind in another Focus. Ayr’s Neale Dougan is next, making an appearance from his retirement in the Ford Escort WRC (the car which Dave Weston used to runner up spot in last years event). Car 5 is Dumfries’s Malcolm Proudlock and from his earlier performances this year he is certainly a candidate for the number 1 spot by the rally end.

Continuing down the field we see TV pundit Robbie Head at car 7. Taking an away day from the rigors of commentating on British and WRC events, Robbie is hoping to improve on his third place he achieved in 2001 on this event. Running at 12 is former winner of the Speyside Jim Carty and along with Barry Johnson has the opportunity to of becoming the first twice winner of the rally. Looking at the top twelve runners, all have the machinery and abilities to take the winners trophy at the end of the day.

The group N cars will not be far behind them come the end of the day. With these cars nearer the road car specification and without the active differentials and sequential gearboxes of WRC cars, drivers need to pick a neat line through the stages to gain the seconds to separate them from their opponents. With the top three of Alistair Tough, Gordon Cunningham and Alistair Thorburn neck and neck they cannot afford to make any errors. Northern Ireland Phillip Morrow will also be looking to make inroads into their positions and if he makes a good finish in the Speyside has the chance to leapfrog them come the seasons end when the drivers can drop 2 poor scores to give a final total.

In the two wheel drive classes; we have running at car 18 Malton’s Steve Bannister driving his Mk2 Escort, his sideways style sure to delight the spectators as he travels through some of the best stages in Scottish rallying. This class is at present being dominated by Ian Grubb and Charlie Jarret and look forward to them battling it out to win the event class and expect then to be in the top 20 finishers.

With 96 entries, winning the event is clearly not the main aim of all the competitors. Classes in rallying give drivers a chance to compete within the event and compare times with cars of similar specification. Many of the cars are prepared by their drivers and the event is the culmination of many hours of work, getting the car to the finish is there prize.

One entry (the last one received) proves that rallying is fun sport. James and Moira Ingleby decided that the event was too good to miss and have entered in a 1967 Rover P5. The pair are probably better remembered for their previous entries to the Speyside in a Ford Mustang, and they will no doubt be as entertaining in the Rover.

Top 12 Entries
1 Barry Johnson Stewart Merry Shildon/Jersey Subaru Impreza 9
2 Matthew Wilson Scott Martin Cockermouth/Cockermouth Ford Focus 8
3 Dave Weston Neil Shanks Aberdeen/Elgin Ford Focus WRC 8
4 Neale Dougan Campbell Roy Ayr/Glasgow Ford Escort 9
5 Malcolm Proudlock Steven Clark Dumfries/Elgin Subaru Impreza 9
6 Phillip Morrow Simon Morrow Co Antrim/Moira Mitsubishi Lancer Evo 6 7
7 Robbie Head Glenn Patterson Glasgow/Stranraer Mitsubishi Evo 6 8
8 Gary Adam Gordon Adam Doller/Tillycoultry Subaru Impreza 9
9 Alan Dickson Martin Forrest Busby/Aberdeen Subaru Impreza WRC 9
10 Jon Burn Stan Quirk Bothwell/Milton of Campsie MG Metro 6R4 9
11 Jimmy Girvan Mike Ramsay Inverness/Forres Mitsubishi Lancer Evo 5 8
12 Jim Carty Alan Stark Elderslie/Lenzie Subaru WRC 9

For those of you hoping to see the cars, please use car parks provided by organisers and avoid parking on grass verges . Stage starts and finishes are best avoided to allow rally traffic to flow unhindered. Please drive with care and remember to drive safely. Grampian police will be present on the route to enforce the road traffic laws. Enjoy your day out

More Details

Speyside Stages (Scotland)

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13/08/05
Matthew Wilson's Return
Wednesday’s post brought an unexpected entry from up and coming driver Matthew Wilson. Matthew along with co-driver Scott Martin are making a return to rallying after a period of recuperation after a 100mph plus crash on this years Rally of Wales in April. Both had received broken bone injuries but now feel that they are ready to return to rallying. The Speyside event was chosen because of its compactness and the quality of it stages, and provides the pair a chance to sharpen up their skills prior to the British Rally Championship Ulster Rally at start of September, and then on to the Rally GB later on that month. Competing in their Ford Focus WRC, the pair can be expected to be amongst the leaders. Coming from a rally background Matthew has grown up around motorsport and competed successfully in track racing before moving on to rallying once he was old enough to drive on roads. Being brought up in the surroundings of M-Sport, the home of the Ford Motorsport rallying division; owned and run by his father Malolm Wilson. At M-Sport Matthew has had the benefit of meeting and getting advice from some of the best drivers and engineers in the world, and he has now set about putting it to good use and many have described him as the next Colin McRae. The British Motorsport Association recently picked both Matthew and Scott as part of an “elite” group of drivers and co-drivers. As a member of the British Rally Elite they will be coached in all aspects of the sport and we will hopefully see them leading World Rally events

With the entries for the 2005 Gleaner Speyside Stages (Saturday 20th August) still arriving, the quality of this year’s field looks to be best of any round of the Scottish Championship so far this year. With still one day left till entries close there are seventy-seven confirmed entries and another eight at least in post.

Clerk of Course James Morrison, is delighted with the response to the event. Matthews’s entry was a surprise; we had heard rumours that he was looking for an event to get back into competition again. His choice of Speyside means a lot to us and we think it was based on comments from competitors on previous years running of event, and were sure that stages and the entry we have will provide him with good competition. Robbie Head’s entry was also very pleasing as it puts a known face to the event for those out with the rally fraternity. His day job as TV commentator and pundit on both British and World events, reaches people who might not normally make there way to a special stage. With the Speyside’s city centre Cooper Park stage being so accessible for all it brings motorsport to many people young and old who might never have considered travelling into the forests.

Competitors for the event include last years winners Barry Johnson who is hoping for a double celebration on this event, he can clinch the Scottish Rally Championship and if he wins event will become first two times winner of Speyside Stages. Also looking to attain the twice winner status is Elderslie’s Jim Carty in his Subaru Impreza who previously won in his Metro 6R4 in 2000. Both might be disappointed if local Andy Horne manages to complete his new Metro in time. Andy has been developing the car with a motorbike derived V8 engine matched to a six speed sequential gearbox. The saving made in both weight and size has allowed him to reposition the engine and transmission and hopefully the gains will allow the car to match the WRC’s present in today’s championship.

Other leading entries include the son and father pair Gary and Gordon Adam. At the end of last season the pair decided that they would have a year off from rallying, but the lure of the Speyside stages has coaxed them out. Also making a return from a sabbatical is Metro driver Jon Burn with Stan Quirk alongside. Stan returned from holiday last week to find out that Jon had placed an entry for the event.

Phillip and Simon Morrow from Northern Ireland are making the trip up to Elgin, after missing the Jim Clark Reivers round after their car sustained engine damage while competing on the International event. Having failed to score points in the last two round Phillip needs to score in the rest of the rounds to hopefully have a chance of group N championship. Also making the trip across the water is County Down’s Raymond Mason in his Mitsubishi Evo 6

Closer to home see’s Aberdeen’s Dave Weston, co-driven by Elgin’s Neil Shanks in their Ford Focus WRC. Runners up in last year’s event they are hoping for one better. Neil is looking for that win in an event, which he has been Clerk of Course for the six years from 1998 to 2003. Group N leaders Alistair Tough from Inverness is hoping to hold off Gordon Cunningham from Galston and Duns driver Alistair Thorburn. This trio are neck and neck in group and watching closely as the Morrow brothers try to claim back some ground on them. Group N looks like going till the last round to provide a winner.

The two-wheel drive championship also is a neck and neck race with 63 Car Club member Ian Grubb from Banchory holding a narrow lead over Dingwall’s Charlie Jarret. Steve Bannister from Malton is another two-wheel drive entry in his Mk2 Escort. Steve is always a favourite with the crowds for his sideways driving and with the condition of stages, expect to be entertained.

A full list of competitors will be available at www.speyside-stages.co.uk and programs for the event will be able to be ordered from there.

The pre event scrutineering takes place at CARS Body shop in Pinefield, Elgin from 6.00pm on Friday 19th. The first stages are at the Cooper Park on Saturday 20th starting at 9.45am so come early to get best vantage. Entry to Cooper Park is free and all welcome. Spectators going to forests please use car parks provided, as this will allow best access to stage.

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01/08/05
Robbies Head(ing) to Speyside
Former British rally Championship driver turned TV pundit Robbie Head has entered this years Gleaner Speyside Stages. Robbie is taking a busman’s holiday from commentating on the World and British Rally Championship rounds and with the backing of Mitsubishi dealer’s Station Garage of Aberdeen and Torphins has entered these years Speyside Stages on Saturday August 20th. With a gap in the international and national championships Robbie grabbed the opportunity to move back behind the wheel of Station Garages Evo 6 and head to the forests of Moray and Aberdeenshire. He had previously used the car while running as course opening car in Aprils Granite City rally. Since then the car has had some modifications and the Speyside will see Robbie compete against the leading drivers of the County SAAB Scottish Championship.

James Morrison, Clerk of Course for the event is delighted with Robbie’s entry to this years rally- “this is not the first time he has competed in the Speyside, he finished 3rd in 2001 and having him back this year is a great boost for organisers and fans.”

His running as course car on Granite City rally shows he still has the skill and ability of his former years when he competed against both Colin and Alistair McRae. Since moving into TV his opportunities have been hindered by globetrotting to cover events throughout the world. Some of you might remember a previous run out in Station Garages Evo as documented on the Channel 4 rally series he hosted. Robbie competed in the McRae Stages event in Perthshire with co-host of the TV series and novice co-driver Jon Desborough. They were leading the production class when on approaching a ninety-degree turn they slid straight on and off the track and were unable to continue. To add to the embarrassment their antics were caught on in-car video, the plus side of the escapade was that as they side off the managed to pass through Station Garage’s advertising banner which was positioned ahead of them. As yet this years co-driver has not been announced, but whomever it is they need to be on there mettle as Robbie fully intends to become the ninth winner of the Speyside Rally in this its ninth year. Since it initial running in 1997 the event has never had a driver win the event twice.

Looking to become the first double winner is Shildon’s Barry Johnston in his ex Petter Solberg Subaru Impreza. Barry has managed to win all the previous rounds of the County SAAB Championship this year and when told of Robbie’s entry a wry smile came over his face and commented “ is he doing the commentary in the Cooper Park because that will be the last he see’s me till the podium”. When asked about the city centre stage his reply was “ great for the fans to see such close action, but on cold tar and cold tyres sharpens up nerves for the forests. “



Another leading contender is Aberdeen’s Dave Weston with former Clerk of Course

Neil Shanks sitting alongside him in his Ford Focus WRC. They see this as their home event and after coming second last year the former Scottish Rally winners feel that this is their year. Philip Morrow will also be another to watch, the Lisburn driver will be looking to post a win in the event to add to the fine drives he has had in both Scottish and British Championships so far. If he succeeds he will become the 3rd Irishman to win the Speyside. Mr Morrow will certainly be one to watch out for with his flair and ability he is sure to be a contender for the top honours.

Further down the field the classes are hotting up with the two-wheel drive championship finely balanced with 63 Car Club member Iain Grubb in his Peugeot 106 holding a narrow lead over Dingwall’s Charlie Jarret. In Group N Inverness’s Alistair Tough leads with Galstons Gordon Cunningham not far behind.

Saturday August 20th looks to be a highly competitive day throughout the entry field and the organisers look forward to seeing competitors and fans from all over UK and Ireland.

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08/07/05
The 63 Car Club (Elgin) Ltd. organisers of the Gleaner Speyside Stages are pleased to announce that regulations for the 2005 event will be available from June 28th. The event on Saturday 20th August will have approx 45 stage miles and will take in some of the best forest stages the area has to offer, as well as the now customary Elgin city centre Cooper Park spectator stage.
The Gleaner Speyside Stages is round six of the County SAAB Scottish Rally Championship and is also a counter in the Dunlop 2 Wheel Drive Championship and Grant Construction Group N Challenge.
The 2005 event will start with a tarmac super-special stage in the Copper Park, right in the centre of Elgin. The 0.75 mile stage is run twice and is a favourite with spectators who have the chance to see rallying on their doorstep.

From the park the rally heads out to the forests of Speyside, using approximately 43 miles of gravel roads hired from Forest Enterprise. Forests used in the past include Monaughty, Clashindarroch and Rosarie.

Regulations and further details on the event website:

Speyside Stages (Scotland)

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The event is also looking for marshals for the day and if you can assist contact Chief Marshall Colin Christie at elainewatt@tinyworld.co.uk