However, it’s not where it should be. It’s not amongst my early 2000’s collection (see pic), these three boxes cover the period 2000 to 2006. I must have had it out for checking something in the past and then ‘re-filed’ it back in the wrong shoebox. So another trip to the lofty turret is required to grab the next batch of shoeboxes. Experience has determined that size 11 shoeboxes are ideal for storing spiral bound reporter’s notepads!!
And another thing. Recording and writing up the history of the Scottish Rally Championship ain’t easy. For instance, the books are primarily about the Scottish Championship events but then you come across events like the RSAC and JCMR which incorporate multiple rallies!
Take the 2002 Jim Clark Memorial Rally. There were four separate rallies of varying lengths and duration for the ‘International’ competitors, the National Rally, Clubman Rally and Junior Rally not to mention the different class structures for each. But because these events are on Scottish soil and often contain some elements of Scottish competition they have to be recorded – don’t they? Or should I just stick to the part of the rally which counted towards Scottish Championship points and ignore the others? I have chosen (stupidly) not to do that because reporting on the other rallies puts our lot into context.
By the way I came across some interesting notes from the Colin McRae Stages Rally in 2002. This was the first event to be held in Perth, following Coltness Car Club’s initial foray into the Tweed Valley before achieving the long held desire to base their event in the capital city of McRaeShire, Lanark.
Of course the big problem with a Lanark based event was the fact that there aren’t an awful lot of trees in south Lanarkshire. Apparently it was not for want of trying by the Forestry Commission but they bitterly complained about the unruly local population of Bears which had an awful habit of rubbing themselves up and down against the tree trunks destroying the bark and killing the trees. However the enterprising Coltness bruins discovered a new forest road to the north of Ae Forest overlooking the A74 (now M74) which meant a much shorter run out to the south west forests which also allowed them reasonable access to the Eskdalemuir forests above Moffat.
Anyway, when 55 Car Club did not renew their interest in the ‘Hackle Rally’ that meant a forestry allocation in Perthshire became available and since stage rallying is dependent on good forest roads, it was worth consideration. When Colin was approached about switching venues and the new forests which would be accessible including the likes of Craigvinean, Errochty and Drummond Hill, he was well up for it, and Perth it was.
Once again Colin took time out of his WRC commitments to
support his home car club event and ran Course Car duties in his pure white
Ford Escort Mk2. As a result, the event attracted huge crowds eager to catch a
glimpse of the enigmatic star. The crowds had also turned out in force for the
previous day’s media/test session. They had come from far and wide and included
visitors from France, Holland, Finland and Norway (I’m sure there were some
Swedes too but I didn’t actually meet any of them) as well as England, Wales,
Northern Ireland, Eire and even a motley band of Muileachs from the Royal Principality
of Mull.
On the day of the rally ‘the entertainer’ didn’t disappoint – that wasn’t lightning in the Highland forests, it was just a white Mk2!
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