2018 Scottish Rally Championship

SRC STARS TAP INTO LAUKKANEN'S EXPERIENCE

Posted: November 2, 2018 6:27 AM

SRC John Horton Star Drive Award winner Michael Binnie and 2018 Scottish Junior champion Niall Cowan Jnr took advantage of expert tuition from Finnish legend Tapio Laukkanen last week.

The 1999 British Rally champion worked on a variety of driving elements with both Binnie and Cowan Jnr as the pair look to improve their abilities ahead of the fiercely competitive 2019 Scottish Rally Championship season.

Laukkanen sat with and assessed each driver in the morning, making adjustments to suspension and the driver’s seating position, before heading out with them in the afternoon to improve their driving style, where there were visible improvements against the clock.

Renowned navigator Drew Sturrock and his father Bill were also on hand to give two budding co-drivers tuition, with Harry Marchbank and Charley Sayer-Payne both drawing on Sturrock’s experience in the Galloway Forest Park last Thursday.

They learned how to best write pace notes and how to effectively plan a day’s rallying; a crucial element of being a sought after co-driver.

Binnie said the day had been incredibly useful in allowing him to understand his Mitsubishi Evo IX.

“The day was brilliant, a once in a lifetime opportunity to have someone of Tapio’s experience and skill sitting alongside me,” he said.

“I learned what I wanted about suspension set-up. We weren’t far away with the set-up to begin with but Tapio made some small adjustments to the front which helped.”

Cowan Jnr echoed Binnie’s thoughts, declaring the day “one of the best prizes you can win at clubman level” on top of his free entry into the Wales Rally GB National Rally earlier in the month.

“At the end of the day I felt a lot more comfortable in the car and smoother and quicker than I have been all year,” the MG ZR driver said.

“Tapio spent very little time in the car and made some big changes to start with before we even got onto my driving style.

“We got a pre-event recce where I got to write my own pace notes for the first time as well. I’d like to thank everyone at the Scottish Rally Championship as the dedication and effort [to provide this] is unreal, you aren’t treated just as another number.

“It’s now time to take this experience and the mileage I got in Wales into the championship next year.”

SRC Chairman Gordon Adam was delighted with how well the event went, and admitted he would be keen to see the championship do something similar in the future.

“Having Tapio Laukkanen working with our Junior champion and Star Driver has been a great success,” Adam said.

“Bringing Tapio across [from Finland] has been one of the best things we have done and full credit to Bill and Drew Sturrock who as well as facilitating Tapio’s visit had a full day training the co-drivers.

“The whole episode with the Star Driver shoot-out at Knockhill the week before coupled with this event is something the Scottish Rally Championship would like to repeat and maybe even expand [in the future.]”

The 2018 ARR Craib MSA Scottish Rally Championship is partnered by Pirelli Motorsport, Reis Motorsport Insurance and KNC Groundworks Ltd.

The championship consists of seven forest events across Scotland, taking in over 300 competitive stage miles.

Keep up to date with all the latest news via the website, Facebook or Twitter using the hashtag #SRC18.

SRC BIDS FAREWELL TO ARR CRAIB AFTER SIX SUCCESSFUL YEARS

Posted: October 25, 2018 7:33 AM

Leading Scottish logistics firm ARR Craib has announced it will not continue its title sponsorship of the MSA Scottish Rally Championship (SRC) into the 2019 season.

The transportation firm first sponsored the SRC in 2013 and with bases in Aberdeen, Cumbernauld and the north of England, was the perfect fit for the series. Its valuable contribution ensured the series would retain its status as one of the most popular rally championships in the UK.

Since ARR Craib’s involvement of the championship, the Scottish Rally Championship has witnessed four different drivers claim the prestigious title and a host of competitors have benefited from a wide range of prizes and incentives. However due to the firm’s recent sale, the SRC will have a new title in 2019.

Managing Director Eddie Anderson has been a long-time supporter of the Championship and has championed both the series and its association in with ARR Craib, helping to retain its reputation as one of the most popular rally championships in the country.

SRC Chairman Gordon Adam believes ARR Craib’s contribution to the Championship has been invaluable.

“ARR Craib have been fundamental in the growth and popularity of the Scottish Rally Championship in recent times and the series, organisers and events would like to extend their heartfelt thanks to the firm and particularly Eddie Anderson for their support over the years” said Adam.

“We have been able to provide a fantastic championship for our competitors and the incentives we have on offer have been unrivalled in the sport at a national level. Competitors across the UK and Ireland have a huge desire to contest the series and our links with ARR Craib have assisted in that esteem amongst competitors. We wish them all the best for the future”.

The Scottish Rally Championship has produced both British and World Rally Champions since its inception in 1968, including the late Colin McRae and is now seeking a new title sponsor for 2019.

Interested parties are invited to contact the Championship Chairman Gordon Adam for further information.

BINNIE BAGS SRC JOHN HORTON STAR DRIVER AWARD

Posted: October 17, 2018 12:13 PM

Cornhill driver Michael Binnie has been named the 2018 ARR Craib MSA Scottish Rally Championship (SRC) John Horton Star Driver after winning the shoot-out final at Knockhill Racing Circuit.

Binnie beat second placed Angus Lawrie and third placed Alasdair Currie to claim the prestigious award, after losing out to Keith Riddick last year in a split vote.

Thanks to becoming the second ever winner of this unique award, Binnie will now join Scottish Junior Champion Niall Cowan Jnr in receiving a day’s tuition with Tapio Laukkanen next Thursday (25th October).

Eight SRC competitors – Paddy Munro, Marty Scott, Lawrie, Ross Hughes, Steven Wood, John Wink, Currie and Binnie – were nominated for the SRC John Horton Star Driver Award shoot-out due to their eye-catching performances throughout the year.

Each driver had a sit down interview with judges Roy Campbell, Gary Adam and Richard Moore before heading out to a designated stage to create a set of pace-notes from scratch under the supervision of Mike Broad and Andrew Wood.

After lunch, the drivers were allowed two untimed demonstration runs around the stage to prove their potential before the judges reconvened and picked the winner.

“The SRC is a hugely competitive championship and the talent among the field is quite exceptional, so I’m very grateful and honoured to be selected for this award,” Binnie said.

“Thank you very much to everyone who’s organised today, and thank you to Claire [Mole] for everything she’s done for me over the past three seasons, it’s been a huge help.”

SRC Chairman Gordon Adam praised the effort of all the finalists, stressing that the result could have gone any one of eight ways.

“It’s a great pity we can only have one winner,” Adam said.

“Some of the talent out there gives us great faith for the future of Scottish rallying and the Scottish Rally Championship.

“The judges found it incredibly difficult to decide a winner. I don’t think there’s anybody here that wouldn’t have deserved it but well done to Michael Binnie and Claire Mole, they really were superb.”

A name which is synonymous with UK rallying, John Horton first made his mark on the sport as an international co-driver and competed alongside the likes of Russell Brookes, Billy Coleman and Jimmy McRae in a variety of cars and teams. Perhaps the most famous of these was with GM and the Opel brand in the 1970’s.

Outside the cockpit, John was actively involved in rallying, helping to develop the MSA British Rally Championship and its own Star Drive schemes as well as assisting in the organisation of many high profile events across the country. Perhaps though, he is most famous for his media and PR activities, being the voice of the PA system on many UK and Irish rallies down the years.

He also worked as the national press officer for the British Grand Prix and Wales Rally GB at the turn of the century, and is sadly missed by the rallying community after he died suddenly last year.

The 2018 ARR Craib MSA Scottish Rally Championship is partnered by Pirelli Motorsport, Reis Motorsport Insurance and KNC Groundworks Ltd.

The championship consists of seven forest events across Scotland, taking in over 300 competitive stage miles.

Keep up to date with all the latest news via the website, Facebook or Twitter using the hashtag #SRC18.

KNOCKHILL AWAITS SCOTLAND'S STAR DRIVERS

Posted: September 15, 2018 11:26 AM

Seven ARR Craib MSA Scottish Rally Championship (SRC) competitors will head to Fife’s Knockhill Racing Circuit next Wednesday (19th September) to contest the SRC John Horton Star Driver Award shoot-out.

The Star Driver Award was first introduced last year and saw Keith Riddick come out on top of the shoot-out at Kames Motorsport Complex, allowing him to take advantage of a subsidised entry into the Down Rally this summer in his MG ZR.

This year will see seven finalists – five picked after a counting round of the SRC and two wildcards – compete against each other in a series of tests in pursuit of a day’s tuition with 1999 British Rally Champion Tapio Laukkanen and African Rally Champion co-driver Drew Sturrock.

Paddy Munro, Angus Lawrie, Ross Hughes and Steven Wood had all previously booked themselves a place in the shoot-out, with Galloway Hills recipient John Wink and wildcards Michael Binnie and Alasdair Currie joining the quartet to complete the line-up. Marty Scott had received a nomination following the Speyside Stages but can’t compete due to work commitments.

The shoot-out is a three-part test of the driver’s skillset. Each finalist will have an interview with a panel of judges to assess attitude and aptitude. Prestone MSA British Rally Championship Manager and Dayinsure Wales Rally GB Clerk of the Course Iain Campbell will be joined by MCR Motorsport Media’s Matt Cotton and The Sun Scotland’s Motoring Editor Jon Doran for the process.

The drivers will then be joined by their co-drivers and will head out onto a specially created stage around the Rallyschool track at Knockhill to write a set of brand new pace notes from scratch. They will be joined in the car by former factory co-driver and team manager Mike Broad, as well as two-time Scottish Rally Champion Andrew Wood who will access the note making process.

There will then be selected runs over the stage in the afternoon, as the judges gather together to watch the drivers in action before deliberation on their decision.

SRC Chairman Gordon Adam is delighted to see the Star Driver Award return for a second year, and believes whoever comes out on top of the shoot-out will be more than deserving of the fantastic prize on offer.

“The SRC John Horton Star Driver Award is something truly unique to UK rallying, so we are delighted to be holding this shoot-out for a second consecutive year,” said Adam.

“Each and every finalist has proved throughout the year that they are a superb rally driver, so it will be interesting to see who rises to the top when the pressure is on next week.

“The chance to learn from a multiple champion like Tapio Laukkanen is potentially career changing, so the competition will be fierce as everyone will be keen to win the Award and utilise this fantastic opportunity.”

Angus Lawrie and Michael Binnie both contested last year’s shoot-out, but the competition will be something totally new to the other five finalists. Last year’s winner Keith Riddick provides an insight into what it takes to win the Award.

“The SRC John Horton Star Driver Award was an honour to receive, especially in its first year,” he said.

“If I was to give advice to competitors in this year’s shoot-out final it would be to just be yourself. The panel of judges are not there to catch you out. It’s not about just being the fastest driver which I was thankful for. They were looking for someone who was good at all aspects of rallying.”

The winner of the shoot-out will be announced on the day of the contest, with the day’s tuition taking place in October for the new Star Driver Award champion and 2018 SRC Junior Champion Niall Cowan Jr.

A name which is synonymous with UK rallying, John Horton first made his mark on the sport as an international co-driver and competed alongside the likes of Russell Brookes, Billy Coleman and Jimmy McRae in a variety of cars and teams. Perhaps the most famous of these was with GM and the Opel brand in the 1970’s.

Outside the cockpit, John was actively involved in rallying, helping to develop the MSA British Rally Championship and its own Star Drive schemes as well as assisting in the organisation of many high profile events across the country.

Perhaps though, he is most famous for his media and PR activities, being the voice of the PA system on many UK and Irish rallies down the years.

He also worked as the national press officer for the British Grand Prix and Wales Rally GB at the turn of the century, and is sadly missed by the rallying community after he died suddenly in 2016.

The 2018 ARR Craib MSA Scottish Rally Championship is partnered by Pirelli Motorsport, Reis Motorsport Insurance and KNC Groundworks Ltd.

The championship consists of seven forest events across Scotland, taking in over 300 competitive stage miles.

Keep up to date with all the latest news via the website, Facebook or Twitter using the hashtag #SRC18.

SRC WELCOMES NEW AND RETURNING PARTNERS AHEAD OF 2018 SEASON

Posted: February 2, 2018 8:56 AM

Organisers of the ARR Craib MSA Scottish Rally Championship (SRC) are pleased to announce KNC Groundworks Ltd as a new partner to the series in 2018. The Aberdeenshire firm will join Reis Motorsport Insurance and Pirelli Motorsport who remain partners of the series once again this season.

KNC Groundworks Ltd is a family run company based in Alford, offering groundwork services for domestic and commercial conversions right across Scotland.

Managing Director Kevin Crawford completed his first ever season rallying in the SRC last year in a Mitsubishi Lancer Evo V, meaning the decision to sponsor the championship is also a personal one.

“KNC Groundworks Ltd are delighted to be sponsors of the SRC in 2018,” Crawford said.

“The decision to become a sponsor is both a commercial and personal one. I have been a big rally enthusiast since I was younger and I am thrilled to have finally managed to get behind the wheel myself.

“We look forward to supporting all seven events and are excited to witness all the action over the year. We would like to wish all competitors all the very best for the season ahead.”

Joining KNC Groundworks this season will be long-time supporters Pirelli Motorsport, who have been providing tyres for competitors in Scottish rallying for many decades with 1989 Scottish Rally Champion Andrew Wood representing the brand in the service park on SRC rounds.

The tyre giant will also be continuing its prize fund to any Pirelli-shod overall podium crews, with a total of £7000 in tyre vouchers available throughout the season.

Leading specialist insurance firm Reis Motorsport Insurance will support the championship for the second year in a row after joining as a partner last season.

Reis Motorsport Insurance will provide cover for the events in the championship as well as offering a fully customised service for registered Scottish Rally Championship crews. The long-established firm have tailor made policies available which include on-event accident damage cover, road cover, personal accident cover, commercial policies support vehicle cover.

The 2018 ARR Craib MSA Scottish Rally Championship is partnered by Pirelli Motorsport, Reis Motorsport Insurance and KNC Groundworks Ltd.

The championship consists of seven forest events across Scotland, taking in over 300 competitive stage miles.

The opening round of the season is the Snowman Rally on Saturday 10th February. The Highland event has attracted up to 90 entries with amazing prizes on offer across all the classes in the SRC.

Keep up to date with all the latest news via the website, Facebook or Twitter using the hashtag #SRC18.

SUBSTANTIAL INCENTIVES FOR SRC COMPETITORS IN 2018

Posted: January 29, 2018 9:05 AM

ARR Craib MSA Scottish Rally Championship to offer record-breaking enticements to registered competitors in 2018

The 2018 ARR Craib MSA Scottish Rally Championship will be packed full of prizes, awards and incentives as series organisers reveal plans for competitors in all categories this season.

As well as the previously announced Junior Champion bagging tuition from World rally ace Tapio Laukkanen and a free Wales Rally GB National entry, competitors from all classes will be well catered for with a host of opportunities to aid their season’s budgets.

For example, the winner of the fiercely competitive 2WD Championship on each round of the series will receive a half price entry towards the next round in the series.

The 2WD Championship encompasses all of the various car classes within the championship and has witnessed some terrific battles down the years, not least the squabble between Dougal Brown and Duncan MacDonald last year.

Despite being one all competitors with two wheel drive cars want to win, the championship hasn’t previously had any other incentive until this year.

If one crew won each round in 2018, the SRC’s contribution could save up to £1750 across the season, which makes winning the round by round prize all the more enticing.

Competitors eligible for the SRC Challengers Championship are also set to benefit and the same entry incentive will be offered to the highest placed category winner on each round of the series. In addition, the overall Challengers champion will be offered a free entry to the Grizedale Stages which takes places in Cumbria at the end of the season.

An SRC Challenger is defined as a driver who has achieved no more than one top 10 finish on an MSA event since 2007, and the series has been seriously competitive since its inception two years ago.

To offer the popular single-make Ford crews an additional incentive, the highest place Fiesta ST driver will grab a free entry to a round of the 2019 SRC.

The overall winner of the 2018 ARR Craib Scottish Rally Championship will not be left out, receiving free entry to Wales Rally GB as part of the Road to Wales programme.

Similar to the Junior award, the winner of second running of the John Horton Star Driver Award will also have a day’s tuition from Laukkanen at the end of the season in a Scottish forest. A new firm to join the SRC as an associate this season, leading motorsport supplier Race & Rally, will be offering discounts to all SRC-registered competitors as well as a £75 voucher going to the Star Driver nominee on each round.

Various other discounts and incentives are on offer to SRC-registered competitors including substantial discounts from Speedline Corse UK, Morrison Trailers and Mintex with Scotmaps route notes available to all crews at a reduced rate.

Mitsubishi drivers can also buy reduced parts from Arnside Motorsport (AMS).

For more information, visit the ‘Competitors section’ of the Scottish Rally Championship’s official website: http://www.scottishrallychampionship.co.uk/competitors/benefits-of-registering/

The 2018 ARR Craib MSA Scottish Rally Championship is partnered by Pirelli Motorsport, Reis Motorsport Insurance and KNC Groundworks

The championship consists of seven forest events across Scotland, taking in over 300 competitive stage miles.

The next round of the SRC is the Snowman Rally on Saturday 10th February.

Keep up to date with all the latest news via the website, Facebook or Twitter using the hashtag #SRC18.

SRC JOHN HORTON STAR DRIVER AWARD RETURNS WITH NEW PRIZE

Posted: January 22, 2018 9:40 AM

Unique reward returns to Scottish Rally Championship for 2018 with an updated prize on offer

Having proven successful in 2017, the SRC Star Driver Award returns to the ARR Craib MSA Scottish Rally Championship for 2018, and will once again commemorate the late John Horton.

Last year the winner was awarded a subsidised entry into a European event of their choice, but this year’s prize is set to be even better.

Along with the SRC Juniors Champions, the outright winner of the SRC John Horton Star Driver Award will benefit from one-on-one driver coaching and set-up advice from multiple rally champion Tapio Laukkunen, with esteemed navigator and African Rally Champion Drew Sturrock also on hand to help the co-driver with pace-note writing and preparation skills.

This is an unrivalled opportunity and will help the wining crew develop a strong start to their rallying career, or hone the skills of more experienced competitors.

“The John Horton Star Drive Award was named in honour of much missed rallying personality John Horton and he was always supportive of talented crews in the sport” says SRC Chairman Gordon Adam.

“In its inaugural year, we enjoyed a very strong fight for the top honour and it was a tough call for our judges. Thanks to Bill Sturrock of Scotmaps, we have secured a fantastic prize and we really hope that it helps progress the rallying career of our inspiring SRC contenders.”

The SRC John Horton Star Driver Award was implemented to recognise outstanding performances from SRC registered crews.

On the Monday after each round of the series, a panel of experts will decide who they considered to have returned the most noteworthy performance on the event. The winner from each round will carry a special Star Driver sticker on their car to recognise their achievement for the remainder of the season.

The nominees will be invited to an end-of-season shoot-out where their skills will be put to the test. The winner of the shoot-out will head to a Scottish forest for their tuition with the 1999 British Rally Champion Laukkanen.

Keith Riddick emerged victorious in 2017, and will compete on the Down Rally in Northern Ireland as his prize. He is grateful for the opportunity the Award has given him.

“The SRC John Horton Star Driver Award has given me a great opportunity to try something different that I may not have attempted without this support,” Riddick said.

“I have only ever competed on asphalt on the Solway Coast Rally, so I am sure that the Down Rally is going to be an exciting challenge and something completely foreign to me.

“As the event is part of the MSA Asphalt Championship, hopefully there will be some seasoned competitors on the black stuff so we can really see how far away we are in terms of speed.”

A name which is synonymous with UK rallying, John Horton first made his mark on the sport as an international co-driver and competed alongside the likes of Russell Brookes, Billy Coleman and Jimmy McRae in a variety of cars and teams. Perhaps the most famous of these was with GM and the Opel brand in the 1970’s.

Outside the cockpit, John was actively involved in rallying, helping to develop the MSA British Rally Championship and its own Star Drive schemes as well as assisting in the organisation of many high profile events across the country. Perhaps though, he is most famous for his media and PR activities, being the voice of the PA system on many UK and Irish rallies down the years.

He also worked as the national press officer for the British Grand Prix and Wales Rally GB at the turn of the century, and is sadly missed by the rallying community after he died suddenly in 2016.

The 2018 ARR Craib MSA Scottish Rally Championship is partnered by Pirelli Motorsport and Reis Motorsport Insurance.

The championship consists of seven forest events across Scotland, taking in over 300 competitive stage miles.

The next round of the SRC is the Snowman Rally on Saturday 10th February.

Keep up to date with all the latest news via the website, Facebook or Twitter using the hashtag #SRC18.

OVERSEAS COMPETITORS ENCOURAGED TO JOIN SCOTTISH RALLY CHAMPIONSHIP

Posted: January 19, 2018 9:40 AM

Organisers of the SRC confirm its successful Overseas Support Scheme will continue in 2018

The ARR Craib MSA Scottish Rally Championship (SRC) can reveal that it will once again support competitors travelling overseas to compete in the series, contributing towards ferry costs to all seven rounds of the championship.

The SRC Overseas Support Scheme was launched last year and proved a successful addition to the series, with Irish drivers Marty Gallagher and Paul McErlean among others taking advantage of the support offered.

On receipt of the ferry invoice, any registered competitor will receive a £100 contribution towards costs from the SRC, meaning the series is a cost effective alternative to rallying in Ireland or Northern Ireland. The scheme aims to further encourage Irish and other foreign competitors to come and join one of the most competitive championships in the UK.

Robert Beck, championship co-ordinator believes the Irish contingent were a valuable addition to the SRC in 2017.

“It was great to have the likes of Marty (Gallagher) and Paul (McErlean) in the series and they seemed to enjoy the additional challenges of the events, along with the traditional Scottish welcome” he says.

“Many of the events fitted around their existing commitments and they all kept the championship regulars on their toes. It would be great to see more crews coming across the water this season; we have some great prizes on offer in 2018”.

McErlean and his co-driver Niall McKenna brought their Escort Mk2 across the Irish Sea to contest six of the seven rounds of the 2017 championship. The duo finished sixth in the 2WD Championship, with a best result of second in Class 7 on the Grampian Forest Rally.

“The Overseas Support Scheme was really the main reason we contested the championship last year,” McKenna explains.

“The ferry deal allowed us access to some of the best stages and best competition in the UK or Ireland. It’s so good that we’re coming back this year!”

“We decided to try the Scottish Championship as it was something different,” McErlean added.

“Most of the events have super-fast stages with really good surfaces and we found them to be a lot easier on the car than some of the Irish events.

“I would highly recommend the SRC to any foreign competitors. The discount on ferries is an added incentive.”

The 2018 ARR Craib MSA Scottish Rally Championship is partnered by Pirelli Motorsport and Reis Motorsport Insurance.

The championship consists of seven forest events across Scotland, taking in over 300 competitive stage miles.

The next round of the SRC is the Snowman Rally on Saturday 10th February.

Keep up to date with all the latest news via the website, Facebook or Twitter using the hashtag #SRC18.

MOMENTOUS PRIZE UNVEILED FOR SCOTTISH RALLY CHAMPIONSHIP JUNIORS

Posted: January 7, 2018 5:51 PM

Scottish Rally Championship organisers to offer winning Junior driver and co-driver expert tuition from Finnish rally legend, Tapio Laukkanen.

Organisers of the ARR Craib MSA Scottish Rally Championship (SRC) have laid out a huge incentive for budding drivers and co-drivers with the announcement of the prize on offer to the top Junior crew in the 2018 season.

This year’s Junior drivers’ and co-driver’s champion will be coached by 1999 British Rally Champion Tapio Laukkanen and renowned navigator Drew Sturrock in a Scottish forest after the 2018 SRC season has concluded. This prestigious opportunity will be in addition to a free entry to the Wales Rally GB National event in October.

Laukkanen dominated the British Rally Champion for Renault back in 1999 in a Megane Maxi Kit Car, before narrowly missing out on the title in both 2000 and 2003. The Finn recently won the Kenyan National Rally Championship in a Subaru Impreza and has made sporadic outings in the World Championship.

His experience and expertise will prove invaluable to this year’s Junior Champion, who will receive one-to-one driver coaching from him as well as set-up advice for both the team and the crew.

Sturrock, 2017 African Rally Champion will also be on hand to coach the co-driver, with the pair set to work on pace-note writing skills as well as preparation work.

“This will truly be one of the most valuable experiences our young crews and teams will have in their careers and we extend our thanks to Bill Sturrock of Scotmaps for his assistance in setting up the prize” says SRC Chairman Gordon Adam.

“Being able to tap into the extensive experience of someone like Tapio will provide the Junior winner with some intense driver coaching as well as set-up advice which will involve the whole team.

"The co-driver will not be left out either and International co-driver Drew Sturrock will be on hand to offer advice on all aspects of the role. It really does ensure each member of the crew will get something from the day and we are really proud to introduce this to the series in 2018”.

The Junior category has long been one of the most competitive championships within the SRC, with previous champions including Greg McKnight, Thomas Gray and last year’s winner Max Redpath.

Redpath was handed a free entry into the Wales Rally GB National last year where he took third in class with his Peugeot 205.

A driver or co-driver is eligible for the Juniors championship if he or she was born on or after 1st January 1993 and competes in a two wheel drive car with less than 2050cc.

The 2018 ARR Craib MSA Scottish Rally Championship is partnered by Pirelli Motorsport and Reis Motorsport Insurance.

The championship consists of seven forest events across Scotland, taking in over 300 competitive stage miles.

The opening round of the SRC is the Snowman Rally on 10th February.

ARR Craib extend Scottish Rally Championship sponsorship into sixth consecutive year

Posted: November 24, 2017 2:28 PM

As announced at the Scottish Rally Championship Gala Awards evening last week, (18th November) one of the UK’s leading providers of Transport and Logistics services ARR Craib, will become title sponsor of the MSA Scottish Rally Championship for the sixth consecutive year in 2018.

ARR Craib Transport Ltd, which has bases in Aberdeen, Cumbernauld and the north of England, first became involved with motorsport as a stage sponsor of their local event, the Granite City Rally. In 2013, the firm joined forces with the Scottish Rally Championship for the first time which ensured the series would retain its status as one of the most popular rally championships in the UK.

Details of the 2018 ARR Craib MSA Scottish Rally Championship have recently been revealed which will see seven all-gravel rounds make up the calendar, kicking off with the Snowman Rally in Inverness on 10th February. The format of the championship will remain largely unchanged from this year but organisers will soon be announcing a host of incentives which will further enhance the series.

“We are delighted to welcome back ARR Craib to the Scottish Rally Championship for a sixth consecutive year” says Scottish Rally Championship Chairman Gordon Adam.

“The partnership we have forged since 2013 is unbeatable and the championship is only as popular thanks to the support from ARR Craib. The series continues to evolve year-on-year and refuses to stand still. Our incentives such as the SRC John Horton Star Driver Award and Ferry Subsidies ensure we are an innovative, forward thinking Championship and that competitors across the UK have a desire to come and contest the series. It’s thanks to ARR Craib that it is as strong as it is today.”

Eddie Anderson, Chief Executive Officer of ARR Craib Transport Ltd, said he looks forward to further strengthening the very strong bond between the firm and the series.

He added: “The Scottish Rally Championship has always been one of the country’s most popular motorsport events but in recent years, with the foresight and vision of the current organisers, it has become a must-do championship for both drivers and spectators.

“We are proud to once again be the title sponsor for what promises to be a thrilling series of rallies across Scotland, and to support the organisers in their efforts to introduce new elements into the programme so that it can grow even further.”

The ARR Craib Scottish Rally Championship has produced both British and World Rally Champions since its inception in 1968, including the late Colin McRae.

SRC calendar revealed for 2018

Posted: September 26, 2017 9:36 AM

Organisers of the ARR Craib MSA Scottish Rally Championship (SRC) are delighted to announce the official calendar for the 2018 season, the 50th season in the championship’s illustrious history.

The SRC comprises seven exhilarating events across Scotland. Around 100 drivers, navigators and their support crews – watched by thousands of spectators – will tackle gravel forestry tracks during the course of the season in a bid to take the overall championship crown or one of the many other awards on offer at the end of the season.

In an unchanged group of events from this year, the action will once again kick off in Inverness for the Snowman Rally in February, before heading to Jedburgh for the Border Counties Rally a month later. A trip back up north to Elgin follows for the Speyside Stages in April, with the Scottish Rally remaining the fourth round and moving back to its traditional base of Dumfries. The Argyll Stages Rally returns for a second year, retaining its June slot, with the Grampian Forest Rally (Banchory) and Galloway Hills Rally (Castle Douglas) rounding out the season.

“We are very happy with the diverse calendar and incentives we will have on offer to our competitors in 2018,” said Gordon Adam, Chairman of the SRC.

“The Snowman Rally is now our traditional opener, and offers its own unique challenge. From there we travel right across the width and breadth of Scotland on some of the finest forest roads in the UK. Each event is special in its own right so we saw no reason not to continue with the current calendar we have in place.”

The ARR Craib MSA Scottish Rally Championship is partnered by Pirelli Motorsport, Coltel Communications and Reis Motorsport Insurance.

The championship consists of seven forest events across the whole of Scotland, taking in over 300 competitive stage miles.

Keep up to date with all the latest news via the website, Facebook or Twitter using the hashtag #SRC17.

Championship Rounds

Posted: September 26, 2017 9:34 AM

1. Snowman Rally (Inverness) - 10th February 2018
2. Border Counties Rally (Jedburgh) - 10th March 2018
3. Speyside Stages (Elgin) - 21st April 2018
4. Scottish Rally (Dumfries) - 19th May 2018
5. Argyll Stages Rally (Dunoon) - 23rd June 2018
6. Grampian Forest Rally (Aberdeenshire) - 11th August 2018
7. Galloway Hills Rally (Castle Douglas) - 8th September 2018

Scottish Rally Championship