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Scottish Rally - 27-28 Jun 14

Posted: February 20, 2017 9:51 AM - 5027 Hits

Round 4 - 2014 British Rally Championship
Round 5 - 2014 Scottish Rally Championship
Round 4 - 2014 British Historic Rally Championship

Historic Victory in Scotland for Stanley Orr & Brian Cairns!

Posted: February 20, 2017 9:51 AM

Killinchy's Stanley Orr and co-driver Brian Cairns recorded a magnificent overall Historic victory on the RSAC Scottish Rally at the weekend. Indeed it was an historic win in several senses of the word, as through the dry, dusty Scottish forest stages they powered their Pinto engined MK1 Escort ahead of the more powerful Escort's to score a commanding twenty second victory. It's a win that has also put the MK Transport team into third overall in the Mintex MSA Historic Rally Championship, just one point behind joint leaders David Stokes and Dessie Nutt.

Nine stages made up the Dumfries based event, with the first on Friday night, and it wasn't a perfect start for Stanley recording a seventh fastest time. "There was a big water splash on that stage, and I am very conscious of water splashes, so we took it easy" said Stanley. The following morning on the opening Twiglees stage, Stanley really woke up, winding the 8 valve Escort up to a time thirteen seconds ahead of his big challenger, Yorkshire-man David Stokes in his 16 valve MK1. Stokes a multiple British Historic Rally Champion was not going to give up however as Stanley surged into the lead, but David closed the gap back to 2.3 seconds after stage four. "We had a bit of drama on that fourth one!" exclaimed Stanley. "A rear shock absorber had broken, and we had changed our rear tyres a little too early. We were in desperate need for service for the boys to make repairs and to fit new tyres. We dropped a few seconds to David on that stage, but thanks to some great work by the boys we left service with everything sorted."

There were other dramas during the day on the rough, tough, Scottish tests including bending a rear wheel badly on stage eight, but testament to its construction the Kumho tyre stayed hard. It was a simply brilliant run through-out the event as the team recorded six fastest times out of the nine stages. "The stages were great to drive, very flowing, with very few chicanes. I think that helped us, less chicanes and junctions, so we could keep the car up and moving and the power disadvantage didn't hurt us. Brian did a superb job on the pace-notes, and he was having to work very hard to call the notes on the fast stuff. The boys in service, Finn, Dom, Cleet and Colin, got the car sorted too, and if it wasn't for the team I wouldn't be at the event at all."

Now the championship moves to Wales for the Harry Flatters Rally on the Epynt Military ranges on 27th July, but the Co.Down crew may elect to miss this round.
"The Ulster and Manx rallies are soon after and time with work and finance are two hurdles. We only ever intended to try and win the class in the series, so we hadn't planned to go to the Harry Flatters. With the Colin McRae Stages, and Rallye Sunseeker in Bournemouth after the Manx it all comes thick and fast."

McKenna/Kierans banish the dust demons to take Scottish Rally victory

Posted: February 20, 2017 9:51 AM

Pirelli Star Driver Daniel McKenna took a 'gritty' victory at the RSAC Scottish Rally and Citroen Racing Trophy this weekend in his Citroen DS3 after a long day in the hot seat, the young Irishman now leads the MSA British Rally Championship points table. With Arthur Kierans alongside, the duo overcame the dusty conditions both in and out the car to take a the event win, maximum points for Citroen in the MSA British Constructors' Rally Championship and the newly formed BRC Gravel Cup with over two minutes in hand from the similar DS3 of Callum Black and Paul Wakeley.

It was clear from the off that McKenna meant business in Scotland, taking a two second lead over rival DS3 crew Osian Pryce & Dale Furniss after the first stage of the event, which took place on Friday night infront of the spectator packed Heathhall. Whilst the 0.7 mile blast may not of meant much to some, the overnight lead was certainly a mental advantage going into the second day and the 'real' stages of the event.

Suffering from major dust ingress into the car during the Saturday mornings loop of stages, McKenna would soon lose his slender advantage to the chasing Pryce and was overhauled on the opener in Twiglees. From then on in, Pryce took hold of the rocky Scottish stages and didn't look back until a spurious stage time on stage 5 meant the results showed them shuffling back to second. But the damage was done and Pryce would play second best for the remainder of the event until his retirement came after stage 9 due to gearbox issues.

McKenna was left to cruise home over the final Ae East test, although he admitted "it felt like one of the longest stages in the world" as he crossed the finish podium in Dumfries on Saturday evening. "I have to say that was a tough victory" he explained. "Osian kept us on our toes all day and we were playing catch up most of the morning. The car was faultless and I have to thank the DGM team and Pirelli for all their hard work this weekend. It's given us a great confidence boost going into the Ulster Rally and the stages there are a lot more familiar, I'm looking forward to it." His win takes him into the lead of the Championship after entering the event tied on points with Pryce.

With Black taking a well-deserved second overall, the third step of the podium was occupied by BRC RallyTwo frontrunner Dean Raftery and Aileen Kelly in the Ford Fiesta R2. A superb drive from the Irish couple meant they not only took the final podium position, but took the Ford FiestaSport Trophy and RAVENOL Oils Newcomers' Trophy top score to boot.

Garry Pearson and Dave Robson had been fighting for the top three spot all day long in their potent Peugeot 208 R2 but couldn't quite make it stick in the tough rocky stages. Robson showed impeccable sportsmanship at the finish, alerting organisers to an incorrectly recorded time which dropped them to their final resting place of forth overall and second in BRC2. Rene Torcato and Jamie Edwards would round off the top three BRC2 crew in their Citroen C2R2MAX, thoroughly enjoying the super-quick Scottish stages. Whilst the BRC3 class is often considered a newcomers marketplace, the pace certainly wasn't indicative of its tag.

All contenders were swapping seconds throughout the event and it was Gus Greensmith and Melanie Holmes who emerged victorious in their Fiesta R1, taking the MSA British Junior Rally Championship honour for good measure. Just over a minute behind, Johnathan Jones and Chris Williams kept them honest all day and took a worthy second in their similar car.

In the NGK Spark Plugs BRC Challenge Trophy, Ross Hunter and Iain Robson took a well overdue overall and BRC4 victory in their potent Peugeot 205 whilst the Vauxhall Nova of Neil Matthews and Claire Williams did their best best to hunt down the 'Hunter' throughout the nine stages of the Challenge event. Seized suspension and a handling problem for Matthews would hamper his efforts to take on the leader and second was a very welcome result after "one of the toughest events I've ever done". It could have been a different story altogether if Citroen C2R2 crew Richard Sykes and Emma Morrison had completed the event, sadly crashing out on a tricky section in the final loop of stages after leading from the very first stage.

After a tough day, MSA British Rally Championship competitors will hope for something a little easier next time out. Some chance though as they head across the Irish Sea to the Toddsleap Ulster Rally for round four of the series which will see the surface change back to the asphalt closed public roads around the Enniskillen rally base in August.

Results

Posted: February 20, 2017 9:43 AM

CITROËN PREPARES FOR FOREST ENCOUNTER

Posted: June 26, 2014 2:14 PM

Round three of the MSA British Rally Championship, the RSAC Scottish Rally, starts in Dumfries on Friday evening (27 June). The Citroën DS 3’s will be back to gravel specification to tackle ten Scottish forestry stages, before the tea-time finish on Saturday. Twiglees, Castle O’Er and Ae are all classic Scottish forest stages, used in the Scottish Rally since its heyday.

Irish crew Daniel McKenna and Arthur Kierans took victory on the last round at the Jim Clark Rally. It was a victory however with no celebrations as the event was cut short after the tragic accident which claimed the lives of three spectators.

Going into this third round, Daniel McKenna is now tied on points with 21 year old Osian Pryce who was victorious on the first gravel round in Carlisle. McKenna still has some work to do to get onto Pryce’s gravel pace.

It’s an important weekend ahead for Osian. “I’m looking forward to it,” commented the Welshman. “On the first round we had the edge with our gravel pace, but I have no doubt that Dan will be going faster. It’s not a long event so we will have to be quick from the word go, even in the short spectator test. Our set-up will remain similar to the Pirelli Rally, and I only expect to get an hour’s testing in the car this week. We have had a small problem to sort out, which has meant that the car is just ready but I think we are on top of it now, so we are all set.”

Pirelli Star Driver Daniel McKenna knows that he has a big challenge to try and keep up with Osian in the forests, but the DGM Sport team are focused this weekend, and Daniel has also been preparing for the tarmac events that lie ahead in the series.

Callum Black finished third on the Jim Clark event, his best BRC showing to date. He was in a similar position on the first round before sliding off into retirement. The Brackley driver has increased his pace significantly this season.

Enniskillen’s Timothy Cathcart is hoping for better fortune, after a fraught opening round and an off-road excursion early on the Jim Clark forcing retirement. He has experienced Welsh co-driver Dai Roberts in the hot seat, and the C-Sport team have been busy re-preparing the DS 3.

In the BRC Challenge section, the Citroën C2 R2 Max R200 of Richard Sykes and Emma Morrison has been a dominant force, and this weekend this combination is aiming for a third straight victory. Also competing in a C2 Max this weekend is Venezuelan Rene Torcato, with the F1 engineer all set for his first forest foray in the 1600cc machine.

ARR Craib MSA Scottish Rally Championship: Gloves off for “Scottish” showdown

Posted: June 25, 2014 11:57 AM

Borderer Euan Thorburn will be looking to tighten his grip on the 2014 ARR Craib MSA Scottish Rally Championship with a second successive win in Dumfries this weekend

The Duns-based driver, who won his first RSAC Scottish Rally twelve months ago in his Ford Focus WRC, starts the second half of his championship campaign with an eight-point lead in the overall standings. He has chalked up two victories so far this year alongside co-driver Paul Beaton from Inverness: the season-opening Snowman Rally, and the Granite City Rally in April.

On Saturday, he will resume his duel with defending champion David Bogie, as the SRC returns to the gravel following the cancellation of the Jim Clark Reivers tarmac round in tragic circumstances.

For Bogie, his home event will open a new chapter in a stellar rallying career, as he lines up his newly-acquired M-Sport Ford Fiesta R5+, which replaces the Focus WRC of the past eighteen months. The five-time title-holder, co-driven by Kevin Rae from Hawick, has one aim in mind as he gets to grips with the new car:

“The second half of the season is all about getting it set up correctly to my liking and giving ourselves the best chance possible for a crack at the final round of the world championship, Wales Rally GB, in November", said Bogie:
“Compared to the Focus, the R5 is a lot simpler in every respect, but with new technology it should be quicker”.

2011 “Scottish” winner Jock Armstrong has had the engine and gearbox of his Subaru Impreza rebuilt – and all the electrical fuses replaced - since finishing as runner-up on the “Granite”.

Co-driven by Paula Swinscoe, the Castle Douglas-based competitor will be looking to keep up the momentum. The rally route includes “Jock's” special spectator stage – created in a quarry near Dalbeattie owned by the Armstrong family – a feature first used on last year's Galloway Hills Rally. Quintin Milne, who currently sits second in the points, and who clinched the final podium spot in Dumfries last year, has switched cars ahead of the event. The Mitsubishi EVO 9, in which he achieved one second and two fourth-place finishes over the first three rounds, has been replaced by a Focus WRC.

The Banchory driver entered the car for this weekend's DMACK Modern Carlisle Stages Rally, and came away with an impressive victory alongside Aberdeen co-driver Martin Forrest: the winning margin nearly one and a half minutes.

Mike Faulkner and Peter Foy will also be targeting a big points haul after clinching the final podium spot in Aberdeen in their Mitsubishi EVO 9: “We were pleased with our performance and third place on the Granite, and we're certainly hoping we can push for the same on the Scottish”, said Faulkner: “ The event has a good mix of fast and flowing stages where full commitment is needed, along with some really technical bits. We also have the added spice of “Jock's” super special which will be great for the crowds but also its tight twisty nature makes it easy to make a mistake. Although the event can’t be won there, it can easily be lost”.

Donnie Macdonald and Andrew Falconer are seeded sixth in their EVO 9 – the Inverness driver buoyed by a fifth-place finish in Aberdeen.

Stonehaven's Barry Groundwater and co-driver Neil Shanks from Elgin, who sit third in the overall championship standings, start one place further back, also in an EVO 9.

Chris Collie from Portlethen, who was ninth overall on last year's Scottish, slots in as number eight seed alongside Workington navigator Mark Fisher, while Rory Young, with Allan Cathers co-driving, will have home support to spur him on behind the wheel of his EVO 5.

Dougal Brown and Lewis Rochford from Inverness will be targeting a good points haul in their EVO, as will Banchory's Bruce McCombie, co-driven by Michael Coutts, who is currently fourth in the drivers' points in his EVO 9. Wigtownshire-based Subaru Impreza pilot Mark McCulloch, with Jim Haugh navigating, will be looking for a repeat of his sixth place on the Granite - his best-ever SRC result.

Andrew Gallacher, with Phil Sandham navigating, heads the Group N competitors in his EVO 9. The Hurlford-based driver will resume his battle with Port William's Fraser Wilson, also in an EVO, who took the class win in Aberdeen by just two seconds alongside co-driver Jane Nicol.

Steve Bannister, with Louise Rae on the notes, has built up a twelve-point cushion in the 2WD Clubman championship in his historic-spec Ford Escort Mk2, and will be the man to beat for overall 2-wheel drive honours on the day.

Colin Aitchison from Duns currently leads the way in Class 9 in his Vauxhall Chevette Hsr, while in Class 7, Graeme Schoneville (Honda Civic Type R) is protecting a three-point lead over Callum Atkinson in a Ford Fiesta R2.

In the 1600cc category, Thornhill's Greg McKnight, with dad Chris on the notes, has the upper hand going into the second half of the season in his Escort Mk2, ahead of Duncan Campbell in a Honda Civic, Peter Stewart in a Ford Fiesta, and Alasdair S.Graham, who took maximum points on the “Granite” in his Vauxhall Corsa.

In Class 3, RSAC Motorsport New Talent Scholarship driver Blair Brown, with Richard Simmonds navigating, has steered his Peugeot 205 to a slender two-point lead over Locharbriggs' Iain Haining, co-driven by Mairi Riddick, in a Vauxhall Nova. Scott Peacock and Chuck Blair are two other local drivers who will be pushing for class honours in their respective 205's.

Meanwhile, young Ayr driver Derek Connell, alongside Laura Marshall from Newton Stewart, currently has the advantage in Class 2 in his Vauxhall Corsa. The pair were in dominant form on the “Granite”: Connell's fourth competitive outing on gravel.

Seeded Entry Lists

Posted: June 25, 2014 11:55 AM

Entries Received

Posted: June 6, 2014 9:10 AM

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Regulations / Details

Posted: April 30, 2014 11:34 AM

Topics: Scottish Rally  Scottish Rally Championship  BHRC  British Rally Championship 

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