Rally - Testing Times

The ‘Forest Experience Rally School’ hosted a rather special ‘Test & Tuition’ day at Kames Circuit last weekend (Saturday 13^th Dec.) and amongst the youngsters and auld stagers, and those in between, there was one un-invited observer! I was just being nosey.

Kames often hosts test days and track days for East Ayrshire Car Club members and anyone else who wants to hire their superb compact facility at Muirkirk, but this day was a wee bit special. Max McRae was on hand for driver tuition and Cameron Fair looked after the co-drivers, and as far as rallying goes in Scotland, you don’t get much bigger than those two. Also on driving instruction duty was Forest Experience’s own Ross Leach while Willie Paterson, serial entrepreneur and the man behind a variety of hugely successful rallying and motor racing sponsorships – from Junior 1000 rally crews to Le Mans winners, and of course the Scottish Rally Championship itself – provided the lunch-time ‘entertainment’!

Some folk brought their own cars while Forest Experience had some on hand as well – and that kept Marc McCubbin busy! He had at least two driveshafts to replace during the day due to the over-exertions, or over-ambitions, of one or two lead-foots but remained remarkably cool, calm and collected.

The morning session was given over to driver and co-driver instruction, with Willie’s sponsorship seminar held just after lunch and then free practice in the afternoon but Max and Cameron stayed on and made themselves available, Cameron even taking the wheel at times. Some may have doubts about Cammy’s driving ability, but if you had seen him in his pet project (Vauxhall Nova) tackling Mull those doubts would dissipate pretty quickly.

As for Willie’s ‘chat’, that was intensive. If the attendees only managed to absorb half of the content and advice it will stand them in good stead as they seek support, partnerships and sponsorship in the years to come. By goad I even learned a few things!

One final thought, maybe ‘FERS’ should have invited some reps from MSUK – they would have learned a few things themselves.

And as for the lunch-time catering, Max cleaned his plate. Not a scrap of tattie or smear of gravy was left. Either they don’t feed him well in Australia or he was in dire need of some solids to withstand another afternoon of ‘driving tuition’!

What this day served up was practical, hands-on training, guidance and advice, and given the comments afterwards it was well received and rewarding. The ideal way to look ahead to a new season in 2026, and one thing it proved, it wasn’t just the youngsters and newcomers who benefited, some of the auld hands and rally returnees had a refreshing hoolie as well.

In other words, you just can’t beat seat time!

https://www.forestrally.co.uk/