Merrick Forest (Park Systems) Stages - 8 Sep 07

Posted: September 7, 2007 1:46 PM

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03/09/07
More on the Merrick
The organisers of this weekend's Merrick Forest Stages Rally claim the stages are the best they've seen for many years.

More than 70 cars will leave the start ramp at the Riverside car park in Newton Stewart on Saturday morning - ahead of them, five challenging stages of the Galloway Forest totalling just over 44 miles.

First up is Arroch Hill, followed by Loch Derry, Linfern, Blackhill and finally the famed 14-mile Glentrool stage - regarded by many in rallying circles as being one of the best in the UK.

In previous years, crews have complained about the roughness of some of the stages resulting in punctures and damage to cars.

However, Merrick Rally manager Allan Marshall says he's never seen them in better shape.
"I've travelled the length and breadth of every stage and they're in excellent condition", Mr Marshall said, adding: "If any competitor complains this year they should take up circuit racing!"

A handout for spectators - detailing the best stage vantage points - will be available at shops and filling stations around Newton Stewart and will be handed out at the rally start.

Glentrool will again be the main spectator stage with parking areas provided.
The first Historic entry leaves the Riverside car park at 8.45am with the main field - headed by newly crowned Scottish champion Gary Adam - setting off from 9.20.. Crews will have two 25 minute stops during the day at the newly constructed service area at Glencaird, close to the Glentrool stage.

The first cars will start returning to Newton Stewart from around 2.30pm.

The Merrick is the penultimate round of the County Saab Scottish Rally Championship, and, although the title has been decided, there is still a lot at stake on Saturday - including Group N honours.

Running alongside the main event will be the Glentrool Mini Rally - taking in four of the five stages - for competitors registered in the Palmerston Furniture Five of Clubs Championship and the 1.6 litre contenders in the Brick & Steel Construction 205 Ecosse Challenge.

The presentation of awards will take place at the Newton Stewart Cinema around 5.30pm.

Latest details on the rally can be found at

Merrick Forest Stages.

• 2007 Scottish Rally Championship

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03/09/07
RALLY BASE A "BOOST" FOR GALLOWAY
It's hoped a new service park built for this weekend's Merrick Forest Stages in south-west Scotland will be used by other events - including the Lombard Revival Rally.

The 11,000 square metre site has been created from a former civil engineering depot close to the main Glentrool stage.
Opening the facility, Scottish Environment Minister Michael Russell described it as a "great boost" for the area as efforts are made to revitalise the local economy.

"Merrick" Rally Manager Allan Marshall said he hoped it would provide a base for rallying in the area for many years to come, and would be used by other events ˆ including the Lombard.

Funding for the project has come from the rally organisers, Forestry Commission Scotland and the local council through its Community Economic Regeneration Fund which has European backing.

Forestry Tourism Manager Sandy White said it demonstrated what „a few good active minds with a common objective can achieve in a relatively short space of time.

Newly-crowned Scottish champion Gary Adam will head a field of more than 70 cars on the Merrick ˆ the penultimate round of the SRC. They will face five stages through the Galloway Forest before returning to Newton Stewart.

There has been criticism in the past about "rough" stages on the event. However, Allan Marshall claims they've never been in better shape, and added: „If any competitor complains about rough stages on Saturday, they should take up circuit racing!

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Entry List
Entry list on event website:

Merrick Forest Stages.

• 2007 Scottish Rally Championship

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27/08/07
MERRICK SERVICE AREA NEARS COMPLETION
A new purpose-built service area for the Merrick Forest Stages Rally in south-west Scotland will be officially opened on Saturday (Sept 1st) by Scottish Environment Minister Michael Russell.

Forestry Commission Scotland engineers have been working to get the facility ready in time for the Newton Stewart-based rally on September 8th.

Trees and shrubs have been cleared at the former engineering depot at Glencaird, north of Glentrool Village, and an area of around 11,000 square metres has been levelled out.

Access has also been improved and an existing single-track road around the site will allow for a one way system in and out of service.

Rally organisers have invested £5000 in the facility, matched by funding from the Dumfries and Galloway Community Environment Regeneration Fund, which has European backing.

The Glencaird site is seen as part of the regeneration of the Glentrool area. When not in use for rallying, it will be available for a range of outdoor events.

Entries for the "Merrick" close on August 30th, and organisers have been encouraged by the numbers so far.

The event is the penultimate round of the County Saab Scottish Championship.

Although this year's title has already been won - by Dollar's Gary Adam - there is still the GpN category to be decided, as well as several Class honours.

The rally is also a full counter in Scotland's premier one-make championship, the Brick & Steel Ecosse 205 Challenge, as well as the Beatsons Border Stages and Palmerston Furniture Five of Clubs championship.

The event will start and finish as usual at the Riverside car park in Newton Stewart, with the prize-giving being held for the first time at the town's cinema.

More information can be found on the event website:

Merrick Forest Stages.

• 2007 Scottish Rally Championship