Rally - Snowman tales

A packed competitor's briefing.

The Snowman Rally hasn’t started and it’s already missing one of the top stars. Jock Armstrong was testing his hired Mitsubishi Lancer earlier today and it developed a fault. So, as of 9 pm this evening, Jock was still in the depths of Galloway with the team working on the, but more ominous is the fact that co-drive Kirsty Riddick is away home to swap her co-driving kit for her chase car kit sand she plans to head north to help sister Mairi who is co-driving for Iain Haining.

Euan Thorburn was looking quite please with himself tonight despite the lack of miles in his ex Turkey, ex Romania Ford Focus WRC01. “I’ve had a n out a test day,” he said, “but it was icy and slippery and I didn’t really get a feel for the car, so I put it on the trailer sand took it home.” When asked if he got any sense of the power, he replied: “It’s four months since I last sat in a rally car, so anything would feel quick in those conditions!”

DMack has brought snow tyres!!

Peter Taylor is looking hale and hearty thank goodness and plans to do both the BRC and the SRC this year. His Dad said: “We’re keeping the Clio for the British Championship and using the new car for the Scottish Championship.” The new car is in fact a Ford Focus WRC01. “It was built for Alistair Ginlay in 2001,” said Keith, “and Peter has done about 30 or 40 miles on the road just to familiarise himself with it. There will be no heroics tomorrow, that’s a learning day. We’ve also got sponsorship from DMack for the season.”

Another car in DMack’s colours is Michael Glendinning’s Subaru Impreza: “I’m just feeling  a bit nervous ahead of tomorrow,” said Michael, “But I’m looking forward to it. I did the Riponian and finished second last year, and I started the Pirelli National so that was the last time I was in the woods.”

As for David Bogie, he’s nearly in holiday mode already: “I’m going to New Zealand for 3 weeks on holiday on Monday, said David, “But I’m planning to do the Snowman for now and then take it from there. I’m not doing the BRC either. I had a look at all the options, but it’s not just the money in doing bigger championships it’s the time away from home and work. I even looked at doing the WRC Academy. But that’s almost a full time job given the commitment.”

It’s now raining in Inverness and the drops are getting bigger and wetter – a precursor to snow?