Snowman Rally - 19 Feb 11

Posted: February 25, 2011 1:44 PM - 6115 Hits

Arnold Clark Thistle Snowman Rally - 19 Feb 11
Round 1 - 2011 Scottish Rally Championship

Winners: David Bogie/Kevin Rae
Photo: Mullrallyesport.com

CHAMP BOGIE POWERS TO FIRST SNOWMAN WIN

Posted: February 25, 2011 1:44 PM

Double Scottish champions David Bogie and Kevin Rae picked up where they left off last season with a hard-fought victory on Saturday's Arnold Clark Thistle Hotel Snowman Rally, the opening round of the 2011 MSA Scottish championship.

They won three of the five forest stages north of Inverness in their Mitsubishi Evo 9, to finish with a total time of 42 minutes 50 seconds, thirty seconds ahead of runners-up Euan Thorburn and Paul Beaton, also in an Evo 9.

Last year's Snowman winners, Jock Armstrong and Kirsty Riddick, secured the final podium spot, a further 3 seconds adrift in a Subaru Impreza.

Much of the pre-event publicity had concentrated on former works driver/turned TV presenter Robbie Head, who was contesting his first rally since 2006. Despite a burst rear brake-pipe on the penultimate stage, the Lanark star finished seventh overall in his Mitsubishi Evo 9.

The day, though, belonged to Bogie who was delighted with his first ever Snowman victory.

"First round of the season, a high quality entry, a huge amount of spectator interest, it really was a rally I wanted to win, and I'm very happy with the way the day turned out", declared the 23-year-old, who will now switch his attention to the opening counter in the Dulux Trade British championship next weekend.

Although there was none of the deep snow which dominated last year's event, the stages in and around Tain and Lairg were still very slippery in stretches with a combination of ice and mud - particularly the opening 11.62-mile Strathrory.

Armstrong was one of a number of drivers who arrived at first service having experienced a "big moment" , as a result of which he dropped 5 seconds to Bogie, with Borderer Thorburn breathing down his neck, just two seconds adrift.

The Duns driver took the initiative on the second test - Carbisdale - pipping Bogie by just one second over the 6.48 miles, with Mike Faulker and Peter Foy showing intent, a further one second back.

Thorburn again dominated on the 8.71 mile Dalnessie test, running out a six second advantage over Bogie.

It meant that the two were neck and neck going into the penultimate stage, Dalchork, but try as he might, Thorburn could not repeat his earlier success.

"We were second on the road, and although the start was OK, it then went into a really soft muddy section and we just couldn't find any grip. I lost my confidence after that and we dropped 12 seconds and there was no way we were going to get that back over an 8-mile stage. Going into the last stage we decided just to keep it steady and hold onto second, which I pretty pleased about after a five-month lay-off," said Thorburn, who will also contest next weekend's BRC season-opener.

With much fairer conditions, Armstrong knew there would be little chance of dominating the event as he had in the snow and ice twelve months ago.

Nevertheless, the Castle Douglas competitor was satisfied with third place, alongside an unwell Kirsty Riddick in the co-driver's seat.

"We've had some luck, and a bit of bad luck today, but we've stayed on the road and we've got a decent points haul", said Armstrong: "The stages being so slippy and unpredictable, it was harder for me than being on snow and ice, but I'm happy to be on the podium. It gets the season off to a good start".

Faulkner and Foy had also been pushing for a podium spot in their Mitsubishi Evo 6, but had to settle for fourth.

"The first stage was a challenge and it dropped us some time, so I think fourth was the best we could hope for", said the Kirtlebridge-based driver: "But the rest of the day was enjoyable, and the car has performed well, so it's been a positive start to the season for us".

It was an equally positive result for local driver Andy Horne and long-time navigator Jim Howie as they took to the Highland forests once again in their popular DAM 4100 Gti - with newly installed automatic gearbox.

"It's been a brilliant day and the conditions have been very good to us", said Horne, who found himself first on the road on the three middle stages, as other leading crews held back in the hope of gaining an advantage: "The first and last stages were very slippy, but I actually feel it was a benefit to be first on the road on the others - it certainly didn't affect our performance".

Fellow Inverness driver Donnie Macdonald, co-driven by Keir Beaton, bounced back from a very disappointing 2010 season, to end his home rally sixth overall in his Evo 9.

"I've really enjoyed the event - there were lots of things to watch out for - it was really slippy one moment, then loads of grip the next, you really had to concentrate, but I'm delighted with the outcome", said Macdonald.

Despite the broken brake-pipe, Robbie Head declared himself "reasonably happy" with his return to competition, alongside experienced Borders-based navigator Claire Mole, with the pair topping the DMACK Tyres Group N standings.

"That problem on the fourth stage dropped us more than a minute, and put paid to any chance of a better result", said Head: "The pace was OK towards the end and we'll now go on to the Border Counties and see how we get on".

For Calum Mackenzie - usually seen wrestling the wheel of an Escort Mk2 at the sharp end of the 2-wheel drive contingent - the Snowman was the first outing in an unfamiliar Mitsubishi Evo 8.

Although the Inverurie-based finished a creditable eighth overall, alongside navigator Martin Forrest, he had some misgivings about the switch to 4WD.

"It's certainly very different, that's for sure - and the confidence and commitment is not there", said Mackenzie: "But we'll give it another go on the Border Counties, and see if we can improve".

The Inverness crew of Steven Ronaldson and Andrew Falconer were dogged by gearbox and exhaust problems in their distinctive yellow MG Metro 6R4, but Ronaldson ("I had to hold it in gear and steer with one hand") still managed to nurse the car home to ninth overall.

The top ten was rounded off by Peterhead's Stevie Brown, making an impressive 4-wheel drive debut in a Subaru Impreza, co-driven by Andrew Roughead from Newcastle.

In the 2-wheel drive category, Malcolm Buchanan and Ian Nicoll were first home in their Escort Mk 2 in 18th overall, while James Robertson and George Myatt won the 1600 class in a Citreon C2.

Among the notable retirements was former Snowman winner Reay Mackay, who never made it to the first stage after his Metro 6R4 cut out, and ex Scottish champion Dave Weston who went off on the first stage in his hired Ford Focus WRC.

From a starting list of 98, there were 77 classified finishers.

Crews will now prepare for the SRC second round - the Jedburgh-based Brick & Steel Border Counties Rally - on 19th March.

Full Results

Posted: February 20, 2011 7:48 PM

Snowman Rally - 19 Feb 11 - RESULTS

flyingfinish.co.uk

Snowman Rally

2011 Starts With the Highland Fling

Posted: February 9, 2011 2:34 PM

In just under 2 weeks time the 2011 Scottish Rally Championship kicks off with the traditional Arnold Clark Thistle Snowman Rally, The Highland Car Club organised event starts from Inverness and takes in a selection of tough and demanding stages in the surrounding forests, with classic stages like Rogie, Millbuie and Tarlogie all likely to feature on the event.

Jock Armstrong/Kirsty Riddick in the R.Earsman/Holy Socks backed Subaru Impreza will lead the strong field away from traditional start outside the Thistle Hotel; the team will be going “flat oot” this year with goal of winning the championship which has eluded them in recent years. Reigning Scottish Rally Champions David Bogie/Kevin Rae make the trip north to prepare for their assault on the Dulux Trade British Rally Championship, once again piloting the Oakbank Services Mitsubishi Evo 9 used to notch up back to back Scottish Rally Championship titles.

Cumbrian crew Paul Benn/Richard Cooke make the trip north to tackle the Scottish Rally Championship in the awesome Ford Focus WRC 01, the last ever 2001 Focus WRC to be built. Strong times last year saw the crew battling in the top 5 so this year could see them push for podium positions.

Andy Horne/Jim Howie wheel out the awesome DAM 4100 GTI, with the Jaguar V6 motor proving reliable in 2010 it remains in the car and sounds every bit as good as the less reliable V8 unit previously installed in the car. Strong results last year bagged the crew a good haul of points but a costly off on the Speyside put paid to any title assault. Previous event winners Reay MacKay/Robert MacDonald used the Metro 6R4 which they claimed that event win in 2009 on the recent Grant Construction Stages at Knockhill, however the crew will revert back to the Ex Richard Burns Subaru Impreza WRC for the Snowman, success has already been achieved with the Impreza both on tarmac and gravel so the crew could be ones to watch.

Former British Rally Championship star Robbie Head/Claire Mole returns to the hot seat with the weapon of choice a Mitsubishi Evo 9, while making his name in rallying for driving Front wheel drive Renualts but a change to 4 wheel drive technology will be interesting and challenging so teaching an old dog new tricks will take time. Also making the switch from Fwd to 4wd is young Stevie Brown/Andrew Roughead, took a year out of rallying to do a bit of travelling and secure funds for this year which has resulted in Stevie purchasing a Group N Subaru Impreza for this years assault. The famous words “If In Doubt, Flat Out” used to describe the awesome Colin McRae also fit nicely too Stevie to and for 2011 with JRRC Personal Training onboard Stevie is physically in great shape to tackle the pace at the top.

The Highland Waste Services Team have made a few changes over the winter break which sees Euan MacKay/Calum MacLeod replace “Snowball” the Peugeot 106 with the rebuilt Ford Anglia JWRC which was previously used for tarmac rallying. Euan aims to make good use of the Anglia being Rear wheel drive by drifting his way through Scotland’s forests and generally entertaining the crowds. Euan’s younger brother Gordon MacKay/Marieanne Gray have fettled the sister car to Snowball, “Mothball” another Peugeot 106 for some action in the woods. Both Gordon and Marieanne are eager to get rallying again and this crew will be worth a watch as they improve on their seeding of 81.

The famous Ken Wood/Gordon Wood have built a new Triumph Dolomite Sprint for this year and boldly fitted the new car with a 2.5 litre K series V6 engine which should sound the business in the woods and Ken won’t be shy in using all of its potential.

On Saturday 19th February 98 crews will leave Inverness and tackle 5 stages covering just less than 44 competitive miles in some of the most challenging forests Scotland has to offer. The previous 2 years has seen this event live up to its name with snow covered stages but this year could see the end of that and a return to some fast paced gravel action.