Motor Sport Magazine editor to settle unfinished business on legendary Colin McRae Forest Stages Rally Sky motorsports presenter Tony Jardine will return to his Scottish family roots this weekend (Saturday 3 October) as he makes his debut on the legendary Colin McRae Forest Stages Rally near Perth in Scotland.
The event is supported by the famous rally family of the late World Rally Champion Colin McRae and his multi-rally Champion father Jimmy McRae, who is set to advise Jardine and the ProSpeed team on the challenging stages. Motor Sport Magazine editor Damien Smith will be navigating on only his second ever rally, both times co-driving for Jardine. Smith will be replacing the Daily Telegraph’s F1 correspondent, Tom Cary, who is currently on Grand Prix duty in Japan before resuming his campaign with the Castrol / ProSpeed team to become a fully fledged international co-driver for Rally Scotland in November, the final round of the Intercontinental Rally Challenge (IRC). Substitute Smith proved to be the most nervous journalist navigator the team had encountered, prior to his first event last year.
However, as soon as the Swansea Bay Rally 2008 got underway, the Motor Sport editor performed well from the navigator’s seat, helping the Kumho shod car to second in class until a shock mechanical retirement. Smith commented on his debut last year,
“I have to admit I was worried and I couldn’t sleep the night before, but when we started I was OK. I had calmed my nerves and we were flying, challenging for the class lead when we ground to a halt with transmission problems. The Colin McRae Stages is not just a chance to meet and interview five times British Champion Jimmy McRae, this is also about unfinished business. I want a podium finish!” For Jardine, this event will draw him back to his family roots and relatives still living in the Dumfries area. Jardine said,
“I have always wanted to compete on this event, now more so because of my memories of Colin McRae who I worked with in his early Subaru years. His father Jimmy has always been helpful with my own rally career and has kindly invited me to join the Colin McRae Forest Stages rally forum panel on the Friday night before the rally. It will be a privilege to take part this weekend.”
In addition, there is another important reason why the Castrol / ProSpeed team are to compete in this event, as ProSpeed boss Olly Marshall explains,
“Whilst it’s great to welcome Damien back to the hot seat alongside Tony, he also has an important job to do for his fellow journalist Tom Cary for when he returns to the team. Some of the stages on this rally form the basis of Rally Scotland in November, a number of which haven’t been used for twenty years! It is vital for Damien to make accurate notes and gather as much information as possible for Tom, who will need all the help he can get when he makes his international debut. The Rally Scotland stages are pretty daunting and some will be held in the dark.
“We are looking forward to receiving advice from Jimmy McRae, as he knows the contours of these stages like the back of his hand.” The Colin McRae Forest Stages Rally includes five special stages in the forests of Perthshire, taking place this Saturday.
