Sunday, 17 September 2017

Rally - Mull beckons



October is just around the corner. That time of year when thoughts turn to tarmac. For many folk, the middle weekend of the month used to figure prominently in their plans over past months. Accommodation and ferries booked. Essential supplies listed like fuses, spark plugs and driveshafts, not to mention toolboxes, trolley jacks and groundsheets sorted out, ready for packing the van. Almost as essential as the multipacks of Tunnock's Caramel Wafers and Teacakes!

And then there were the Notes to be updated and improved with additional 'Caution!' marks entered at the appropriate locations after the previous year's frights. Plus the small matter of clothing. Tee-shirts and shorts or anoraks and leggings? Better with both, and of course additional supplies of underpants and knickers for those who succumb to sudden bouts of adrenalin rush through the nether regions.

It will be different this year. Even the weather is in mourning. Autumn has arrived early. For those driving north, the vistas are already beckoning with their first blush of burnt orange and dark red which stains the forestry greenery. The hills and mountains have already donned their overcoats of dark, wet and glistening greyness, hunching up against the skyline and the approaching winter.

It won't be quite as busy this year thanks to Government and national sporting authority interference. And yet many rally fans are intent on making the annual pilgrimage - from as far afield as Eeebygumladland and Coronationstreetia to show their support for the 'best rally in the world' - which is currently on enforced leave!

To ensure a warm welcome for these distant travellers and those closer to home, the indefatigable Muileachs are brewing up some entertainment. So if you are just itching to plunge your competition dipstick into the sump of motor sporting competition, there are two events planned with possibly more to come.

Thanks to Beatson’s Building Supplies, Mull Car Club and the Guardians of Mull Rally, have organised the Mull Targa Rally on Friday the 13th and the Mornish Rally Time Trial to be run on Saturday the 14th of October (halfway between Dervaig and Calgary).

The Mull Targa Rally will feature a daytime route with mid-morning Start in Tobermory. The route will cover approximately 95 miles of which 17 are private and mainly gravel. There will be around 14-16 tests and 4 Regularity sections with the last car due to finish around 6pm in Tobermory - in plenty of time to catch the last ferry!

The Time Trial will be run over a 3.1 mile forest gravel stage, with co-drivers allowed, and it will get underway at 10.30 hrs. Four timed runs are planned, but more if time allows and no-one screws up the schedule by going off! Cars will start at 1 minute intervals prior to which Competitors will have a convoy familiarisation run through the stage before it all gets underway.

Full information on the Mull Rally website at:

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