Friday 30 March 2018

Rally - New Citroen C3 R5



Citroen has revealed the details and specification of its new C3 R5 challenger which Stephane Lefebvre will campaign on this year’s FIA WRC2 series commencing this weekend on the Tour de Corse. Citroen is also promising full technical support and advice for privateers. Around 30 cars will be built this first year with production scheduled to increase next year. There isn't much room for manoeuvre within the FIA R5 regulations but Citroen seem to be pretty chuffed with what they have achieved.

Full inside story to the new car here:

Saturday 24 March 2018

Rally - Montana’s Maiden Win



Well, that was close. After 6 stages Gordon Morrison and John Marshall were equal first on today’s DCC Stages Rally at Ingliston with 2 stages to go. Then on the penultimate test, Morrison put 3 secondsworth of daylight between them, setting up a nail biting finale to determine the victor.

Both drivers were in bright red, TegSport run Subaru Imprezas and both drivers were having to be sensible as the cars were running hot in the warm spring sunshine. Given the nature of the stages at Ingliston, the cars have few straights to get a decent airflow through the radiator and engine bays, but young Arron Newby was on the case keeping both customer cars cool in the un-seasonally warm conditions.

Marshall was up for the fight, but guess what?: “My door flew open on the first corner of the last stage,” said John, “I was trying to handbrake it round the corner at the time and hang on to the steering wheel, so I couldn’t grab the door when it swung wide open. Luckily I managed to hit a chicane bale which banged the door shut.”

As for Morrison, no mistakes, just a determined run to the finish: “I’ve won a couple of things at Kames,” said Gordon, “but that’s my first proper rally victory. Like John I was struggling to try and keep the engine cool as the anti-lag kept switching itself off.”

It was good to see John Rintoul back in the hunt too and he finished third overall Just 20 seconds behind Morrison. He’s had a string of poor results over recent months in his Lancer, Skoda and Fiesta, but the Ford behaved itself today: “That was my first troublefree run with the Fiesta and it gave me the chance to play with settings and get it handling the way I like, but there’s more to come.”

Taylor Gibb finished 4th in the Lancer, a tidy less exuberant run than usual paying dividends, and Alan Gardiner was 5th and first 2WD car in the Escort Mk1. Behind him a trio of Mk2 Escorts filled the next three places led by Tom Blackwood from Colin Gemmell and George Auld. There was something different in 9th place, Richard Sutherland’s Opel Manta, while Iain Sanderson’s Mk2 rounded off the top ten.  Iain put his top ten run down to: “A pie, a Mars bar and a can of Irn-Bru” - now there’s a well balanced, protein rich diet worthy of an Olympic athlete, eh?

Top 1600 runner on the day was 11th placed Ben Wilkinson in his evil looking Citroen Saxo while young Martyn Douglas scored a convincing 1400 class win in his VW Polo finishing 29th overall.

There was however, one other item of interest which for the moment will remain unconfirmed. Despite strenuous denials, rumours persisted that a certain well known rally driver had topped up his tanks at the rally start this morning with diesel. Surely not – but you’ll have to wait for the full report on JB’s website to see if such an occurrence could indeed have taken place, or was it just terrible slurs on his impeccable reputation by rivals?

Leaderboard after 8 (of 8) stages:
1, Gordon Morrison, 61m 23s
2, John Marshall, 61m 34s
3, John Rintoul, 61m 54s
4, Taylor Gibb, 62m 12s
5, Alan Gardiner, 62m 28s
6, Tom Blackwood, 63m 08s
7, Colin Gemmell, 63m 28s
8, George Auld, 64m 17s
9, Richard Sutherland, 64m 27s
10, Iain Sanderson, 64m 29s

Wednesday 21 March 2018

Rally - SAMSC AGM

Pete Weall and Gerry Potter

The Scottish Association of Car Clubs held its final AGM last night in Bridge of Allan. No don't get carried away, it wasn't that bad, the Association has simply changed its name to the Scottish Association of Motor Sports Clubs which is a much more accurate reflection  of its purpose.

However, many of the old problems remain. Not enough Volunteers, Organisers, Officials and Marshals. If competitors knew just how precarious this position is, then they might just be a bit more appreciative of the efforts of the untold hundreds of mugs, sorry, volunteers around the country who expend so much time and effort on the provision of a whole variety of motor sporting events throughout the year. This is a bigger problem facing the sport than lack of entries.
Russell Fair and Suze Endean

Did you know there are currently 53 car clubs in the Association although 25 of them don't run any events while there are 5 clubs who each run more than 15 events per year?

Anyway, one man's view of last night's proceedings is here for all to read:

Tuesday 20 March 2018

Rally - DCC Stages


Full Entry List for Saturday's 2nd round of the Cobble Shop Scottish Tarmack Championship now in the on-line mag. First car away at 09.00 Hrs at the start of 8 special stages.

Just 3 points separate the top 7 after the first round of this year's series last month at Knockhill, but the gaps should open up a bit after this second round.

Unfortunately, this is a closed-site facility so NO spectators are allowed. Unless you're marshalling, officiating, servicing or competing, then have a long lie-in and look at the Scotresults website for stage by stage progress. All the excuses and gossip will be posted here alter.




Monday 19 March 2018

Wheelchair Curling



After a weather affected false start to the year's rallying season, there was a change of pace this week - to curling on wheels.

The sponsors of the tenth anniversary Tunnock's Wheelchair Curling Tournament in Hamilton Ice Rink made 'yours truly' an offer he couldn't refuse. With the wheelchair curlers captivating viewers with their skills at the recent Paralympics in South Korea the suggestion was made that this annual domestic competition could provide the ideal introduction to those seeking a new challenge. And so a few Press Releases and photographs were sent out to the local media.

Curling on wheels presents a rather different challenge to its participants. Not only is there no sweeping, but the competitors have to be steadied on the ice with a brakeman or woman otherwise they would sail off backwards as they pushed the stone forwards. Not as easy as it sounds - ice is quite slippy, as rally drivers will have us believe, and the stones are sufficiently heavy to defeat the best efforts of the England Cricket Team over-arm bowlers!


Anyway, the competition got underway this morning and will continue tomorrow (Tuesday) and Wednesday with 3 sessions commencing at 9.00 am and again at 1.00 pm and 3.00 pm.

Opening proceedings was Tunnock's Bakery MD, Boyd Tunnock CBE himself who has taken a personal interest in this competition since it started ten years ago. He welcomed the players and their families and friends and told a wee story which would have had the 'pc brigade' harrumphing in disapproval. But the man could charm the bobble off a woolly hat and everyone fair enjoyed it. Then it was on to the competition with the players being piped on to the ice by a young lady piper. Marvellous, absolutely marvellous.

Naturally, Boyd didn't come alone. He was accompanied by a few boxes of Teacakes and Caramel Wafers which went down a treat.

P.S. It should be pointed out that no biscuits were consumed whilst this was being written and the photographs were being taken!