RSAC Scottish Rally
The Prestone MSA British Rally Championship visits Scotland this weekend for the third round of Britains premier rally series. The RSAC Scottish Rally will welcome the BRC top-crews, as they tackle the demanding gravel stages around Dumfries with over 74 competitive miles playing host to the exciting rallying showcase. Last time out in Cumbria the BRC teams faced the fast and flowing Kielder Forests with a fine balance between speed and bravery bringing fruitful awards to the crews. Four different drivers topped the time sheets on the eight stages and four tyre manufacturers featured in the top six finishing positions, underlining the variety and competitiveness of the 2017 season.
Championship leader Fredrik Ahlin comes into the Scottish Rally on a crest of a winning the opening two rounds. The Swede with his Norwegian co driver Torstein Eriksen have gelled with their new Skoda Fabia R5 and DMACK tyres, consequently the pair has a small cushion at the top of the BRC points standings. The Scottish Rally was the start of a nightmare period in Ahlins 2016 season, however that should not stop the Swedish sensation from going out on the attack to make it a hat trick of 2017 wins.
Pushing the Scandinavian pairing all the way on the Pirelli International Rally last time out was Osian Pryce and Dale Furniss in their Ford Fiesta R5. The Welsh pairing came within a handful of seconds before suffering handbrake problems, making the challenging chicanes hard work for the man from Machynlleth. Having secured a third and a second, Pryce will be gunning for a first BRC victory for his Spencer Sport team. Also out to make history is Tom Cave and his co-driver James Morgan. The Welsh duo put the brand new Hyundai i20 R5 through its paces for the first time in Cumbria and were right on the pace from the off, leading the event from the start before suspension failure put the hard chargers out of contention. The pair finished second last year on the Scottish Rally and will hope to secure their first BRC win together and the first for Hyundai since David Higgins in 2004.
Homegrown hero David Bogie with Kevin Rae alongside will have massive home support as they tackle stages on Davids doorstep. Bogie was running in a comfortable podium last year before radiator woes hit his Fabia R5. This year the Scot has built on his fine 2016 pace, taking four stages wins on the recent Pirelli Rally. Another Fabia crew who have found their form is Marty McCormack/David Moynihan. The Kumho-backed pair took their first podium in the Skoda on the previous event and will be hunting further success on the gravel of Scotland. As will Desi Henry and Liam Moynihan who secured a fine third overall last year. The Irish pairing have struggled so far this season but will hope history repeats itself by using the Scottish Rally to turn their season around.
A new location for the RSAC Scottish Rally this year and running a month earlier, now based in Lockerbie the rally will take in a couple of stages on Friday evening before a full day of stages on Saturday. Starting on the High Street, Dumfries at 19.00, the rally will finish in Moffat on Saturday at 17.00. Also a round of the Scottish Rally Championship the BRC crews will tackle 10 stages, totalling 75 miles.
18th May, 2017