iRally, the free independent Rally App for the iPhone, is reporting that Rally of Scotland International Clerk of the Course Iain Campbell would like to borrow some of the Ypres Rally magic for next year’s event, with stages starting in the late morning and running late into the night.

He says he’d be happy if the event was moved to February or March after the 2011 season, to reduce the financial strain on UK competitors who struggle to find the money to take part in both Rally of Scotland and Rally GB at the end of the season.

And he wants both the British Rally Championship and Scottish Rally Championship to look to include Rally of Scotland in their series in future years.

Campbell has been speaking to iRally about this year’s event: he says everyone who has spoken to him has been highly complimentary, with no negatives “but that doesn’t mean we’re going to stop trying to be the best rally in Europe”. 

“An earlier date in the calendar would mean all the top IRC competitors would come, and it would be better for UK rallying, with Rally of Scotland and Rally GB forming the bookends to the UK season.  It would also help with costs for UK competitors.”

“We would like Rally of Scotland to be part of both the BRC and the SRC.  It would help competitors in both series reach the big global audience that follows the IRC Series, and to drive the magnificent – Kris Meeke’s words – Rally of Scotland stages.”

“We had plenty of spectators this year – we were forced to close the car parks for the Errochty stage on Saturday because there was no more room.  But we think a later start and a late finish would be a real draw for fans, especially watching cars flying by, headlights blazing, at night-time in the Scottish forests.  Imagine Drummond Hill and Errochty in the dark!”

Campbell paid very warm thanks to the marshals and officials who came to support the event.  “Drivers like Kris Meeke, Guy Wilks, Andreas Mikkelsen and Juho Hänninen get all the publicity, but they and all the others drivers and co-drivers know that without the marshals, nothing could happen.  I cannot thank them enough.  Please ask them to book time in your diaries next year!”

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