Home hero Alister McRae, newly-crowned Scottish and British champions David Bogie and Keith Cronin and Intercontinental Rally Challenge Champion-elect, Finland’s Juho Hanninen, are among the latest big names to confirm entries for what is shaping up to be a star-studded RACMSA Rally of Scotland in two weeks' time (15-17 October).
McRae, from Lanark and brother of the late Colin McRae, will spearhead the factory-supported Proton team’s effort – being joined by Irishman Cronin and young British talent Tom Cave in a trio of the Malaysian manufacturer’s Super 2000-specification Satria Neo models. Cronin captured a second straight British title only last weekend in Yorkshire. Meanwhile, it will be a rare outing for McRae in the IRC in 2010 as he has concentrated chiefly this year on winning the Asia-Pacific rally title.
Bogie, from Dumfries, will be eager to demonstrate to fans the pace that enabled him to achieve a second consecutive Scottish title earlier this month in his Group N ‘showroom’ specification Mitsubishi Lancer, while Hanninen’s entry – alongside British ace and last year’s Rally of Scotland winner Guy Wilks – means at least two factory Skoda Fabia S2000 Facelifts will be in action. Hanninen will arrive in Scotland virtually assured the prestigious Intercontinental Rally Challenge title following its latest round in Sanremo, Italy so will surely be looking to put on a ‘celebratory show’ for the crowds.
McRae (pictured) commented: “I haven't competed in front of the Scottish fans since last year's rally so it's obviously going to be very special for me to be there. It's a massive sporting event for the whole country to come and enjoy with a fantastic backdrop, great access for the public, superb organisation and some of the most demanding stages any rally driver will ever face.
“It’s going to be an awesome spectacle for the fans. There are going to be way more S2000 cars than in 2009 and they will all be going extremely quickly which will make repeating the third place I achieved last year very difficult. It’ll be important to push as hard as possible from the word ‘go’ to hopefully stay in touch as much as possible starting the final day and, from there, who knows what could happen. I know most of the stages well from my earlier career which could be an advantage, particularly if we get a bit of good old fashioned drizzle which is always a possibility at this time of year!”
Bogie, aged 23, being co-driven by Hawick’s Kevin Rae, said: “Rally of Scotland was an excellent event in 2009 and this year’s will be even better with new stages and an increased number of top teams, cars and drivers. I’m going into the event with a fair bit of confidence having won the Scottish title and wanting to do well as it’s also my home international event.
“Being the top GpN finisher is my prime objective but I also see last year’s GpN winner Jonathan Greer is entered as well so it’s sure to be a big battle between us again. Whether we can match the S2000 cars I don’t know – they have a slight edge in performance but they are just so spectacular to see in action. People out on the stages will be able to hear them echoing through the trees from miles away, getting closer and closer. It’ll be an amazing atmosphere for the spectators.”
Other leading lights contesting Rally of Scotland include 2009 IRC Champion Kris Meeke – just confirmed to drive for the new official Mini team in next year’s World Rally Championship – and Aberdeen youngster Dave Weston Jnr who, prior to the Rally of Scotland, is in WRC action this very weekend in France.
Some ten different nationalities – Austria, Belgium, Brazil, Estonia, Finland, France, Great Britain, Ireland, Norway and Turkey – are represented on the Rally of Scotland’s list of entries received so far. Makes of car that will be fighting for outright victory in Scotland include Ford, Mitsubishi, Peugeot, Proton, Skoda and Subaru.
The event is the penultimate round of the high-profile IRC calendar which has played to hundreds of thousands of public during its tour of the globe, from Monte Carlo to South America and back to mainland Europe. The Rally of Scotland gets under way with two dramatic floodlit runs on the Friday evening (15 Oct) through the grounds of Scone Palace before moving into the forests of Perthshire and Stirlingshire for some high-speed, action-packed competitive timed stages on the Saturday and Sunday. The winner will be crowned in a Ceremonial Finish at Stirling Castle on the Sunday afternoon.
A growing number of entries are also being received for the National-seeded event that will be in action shortly after main IRC field on Sunday’s stages – adding even greater value for money entertainment for spectators.
Admission to all timed stages is free for children aged 15 and under, while adults can order their tickets in advance and have them posted to their home address prior to the event – removing the hassle of picking them up at a collection point. Adult tickets cost £10 to see the Ceremonial Start and opening two stages at Scone Palace (Fri 15 Oct) or £20 for a day pass which offers full access to all stages on either the Saturday or the Sunday. Alternatively a full-event ‘Alba Pass’ (in advance only) can also be purchased for £45. All tickets include a complimentary souvenir official spectator programme worth £6.50.
Tickets can be booked via the official www.rallyofscotland.com website or the hotline 0844 847 2488*
The rallyofscotland.com website also provides public with event information such as a ‘Rally Planner’ which includes the rally route, stage times and descriptions etc.
* Orders from UK-based customers after Wednesday 6 October will not be posted out and instead will require collection from the on-event ticket office in Perth Service Park, open Thursday 14 to Saturday 16 October 8.30am–8.00pm and Sunday 17 October 8.30am–12.00pm. All orders placed from here on by overseas-based customers will now require collection from the on-event ticket office.
