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/

Books - Service update

Consider this more of a service announcement than a sales pitch, but over the last four weeks three books have gone astray during delivery resulting in disappointment for the buyers and additional worries for myself. Replacement books have been sent out and duly received so all is well – at least partly! I’ve still to track down where the three missing books have gone! And there’s a message this morning from someone who was expecting a book yesterday, and it hasn’t turned up – yet!

In other words if you are thinking of buying a book or books for yourself or for others this Christmas then best get organised now just to be sure, to be sure. I’m aware that most delivery companies and the parcel posties have additional staff at this busy period and they may not quite be up to speed compared with the regular staff so a wee bit of patience is needed all round.

On a more encouraging note, a few folk who have ordered the 2000-2009 latest volume didn’t realise there were two previous volumes (1980-1989 and 1990-1999) and have come back for these early copies, so that was really nice! I still have some of the early books left so if you need a top-up or extras, just let me know.

And further to another enquiry, co-drivers do get a mention in the books. More than a mention! Every rally report in each book lists the top ten finishing drivers and co-drivers plus each class winning driver and co-driver – that is actual class winners as opposed to class ‘award’ winners.

And to those who yet again have suggested that they want more stories and more photos included in the next book I have a short message for them which translated means “go away in short jerky movements!” Work will therefore commence on the 2010-2019 book in January whilst I continue to source ‘long lost material’ to complete the early history from the 1960s and 70s.

By the way, the Moulsdale Foundation are planning a rather special ‘do’ on the 28th of December!

Copies of all books including the Mull book are available here:

https://fife-motor-sports-agency.square.site/

Or you can message me on FB for bank transfer details as some folk prefer that option.

There are also some books listed on Ebay, just search for ‘Scottish Rally Championship’ although I yet have to be a fan of the Ebay service! Time will tell.

Anyway, fingers crossed that the posties can keep up! Be nice to them this Christmas.

Rally - LeJog 2025

A rally for masochists organised by sadists! A bit extreme perhaps, but the weather this year’s competitors faced certainly added to their difficulties as Storm Bram followed them all the way north.

Surprisingly it was even raining in Scotland as they arrived and continued northwards, so a visit to Kames to cheer the foolhardy souls onwards and upwards seemed supportive of their endeavours. Encouragingly there was a glimmer of watery and wintry sunshine reflecting badly off the streaming tarmac as the first cars arrived but that didn’t last long. Squally showers with icy rain soon had folks outside heading for the Kames Caff but the steamed up windows looked awfy dark.

That wasn’t curtains that blacked out the windows, that was folk pressed so tightly up against the walls and windows as they tried to cram into the building. The steam rising off cups of tea and coffee only added to the steam rising off sodden rally jackets.

And yet spirits were high even among those stalwart navigators who had to contend with a route change and having to plot a new re-route to get themselves out of Ayrshire. No fault of the organisers, the local Roads Dept had decided to shut off the Strathaven Road for some essential re-surfacing and repair. As if the poor bedraggled sods didn’t have enough to contend with just coping with the weather, never mind sodden maps and pens that don’t write on wet paper – thank goodness for pencils. In this supposedly ‘digital age’ it seems that we just can’t do without the ‘old ways’ when the sh*t hits the fan, or in this case when the driving rain seeks out the paperwork.

And if you think the competitors had it bad, think too of the Marshals and Officials who stood out there in some of Scotland’s finest examples of extreme weather conditions to record the passing of the competition, especially the band of diligent desperadoes who stood atop Forrestburn in the Shotts highlands! I’ll bet they had to nail their wellies to the ground to stop being blown off and across the M8. And think too of the travelling mechanics. Reminiscent of the old days of Scottish rallying, lying in boggy ditches trying to repair the ravages of time and terrain!

One simply has to marvel at the fortitude and sheer stubborn-ness of all of those who participated and assisted along the route. I take my bunnet off to the lot of you. As for me, a short visit to Kames was more than enough. Mind you the tray bakes looked awfy tempting!

 

Rally - Books on Tour

The red Transit will be at Kames on Monday morning (8th Dec) from around 10.30 am ahead of the LeJog cars heading north to John O'Groats. The crews will have a speed test there before heading to the Forrestburn hillclimb for another test before disappearing into the glaur and gloom of the wintry hie'lans. With a bit of luck the Kames caff will be open for the dispensing of hot drinks!!

 

Copies of all three 'Scottish Rally Championship' books and the 'Murmurs on Mull' compilation will be on-board and for sale -so you can save yourselves the postage if ye fancy a Christmas present for family or friends - or yersel!!

 

Oh, and I'll be there as well!

 

Rally - 2025’s final fling

It’s a big weekend in the rallying world this Saturday (6th) when the Coppermines Grizedale Stages Rally in Cumbria (MalcolmWilsonshire) hosts the final round of the Asset Alliance Group Scottish Rally Championship. David Bogie has already clinched this year’s Scottish title (his seventh!) but he needs a top seven finish to ensure that Kirsty Riddick will win this year’s Scottish Co-Driver’s title. Mark McCulloch looks equally secure in the runner-up spot, but third place faces a serious sort-out between Ian Forgan and Scott Beattie, while Duncan Campbell and Brett McKenzie will have to determine who will be this year’s top Challenger – there is currently one point between them!

It’s also the final round of the Protyre BTRDA so England’s top club crews will be up against our lot as well!

If that all sounds like a bit too much excitement, how about a more ‘sedate’ competition? This year’s LeJog is already underway and the crews will reach Scotland on Monday (8th) visiting Kames at Muirkirk from 11.00 am and Forrestburn near Shotts from 1.50 pm. This five day test of endurance, stamina, navigation and driving skill has attracted 54 entries from the UK and many places in Europeland and includes a host of Volvos, Volkswagens, Fiats, Alfas, Mercedes, Porsches, Triumphs, MGs, Minis, just one 1924 Bentley, and a personal favourite one 1962 Healey 3000, plus a few others. And if you think these crews hang about on the speed tests in their precious historics and classics, forget it, they are as daft as the rest of us! Red mist to the fore!!

By the way, the red Transit will be in attendance at Kames and if anyone hasn’t yet bought books for their own or their friends/family’s Christmas I’ll have a stock on board so you can save yourselves the postage!

https://fife-motor-sports-agency.square.site/

 

Rally - History lesson

Audi will celebrate a rather special anniversary next year in 2026 - 50 years of the five-cylinder engine. This new engine was first introduced in 1976 in the second-generation Audi 100. 

Known internally as Type 43, the car was intended to be positioned higher in the market than its predecessor. The four-cylinder engines of the time were not sufficient for the developers’ plans. Audi engineers therefore discussed using inline five-cylinder and six-cylinder engines in the early 1970s. The latter were ruled out due to space constraints and the unfavourable weight distribution. As a result, those responsible opted for the inline five-cylinder engine, which was based on the EA 827 engine concept. This inline four-cylinder engine was used throughout the Volkswagen Group in the 1970s, including in the Audi 80 and Audi 100.

The five-cylinder engine derived from it, with a displacement of 2,144 cc, delivered 100 kW (136 PS). A modern fuel injection system increased efficiency and power delivery. Deliveries of the Audi 100 5E began in March 1977.

Audi launched its first diesel version in 1978, a naturally aspirated two litre diesel with 51 kW (70 PS). One year later, the first five-cylinder gasoline engine with turbocharging made its debut – another pioneering achievement by Audi. With 125 kW (170 PS) and 265 Nm of torque, it powered the new top model, the Audi 200 5T.

The five-cylinder gasoline engine in the original 1980 Audi quattro featured turbocharging, intercooling, and permanent all-wheel drive and had a power output of 147 kW (200 PS). 

After Audi secured the World Rally Championship title in 1982 with this car, Hannu Mikkola won the drivers’ title in the World Rally Championship a year later. Also in 1983, Audi introduced the Sport quattro, which was 24 centimetres shorter and had a wider track. It was powered by a newly developed four-valve, five-cylinder light-alloy engine with 225 kW (306 PS). This made the Sport quattro the most powerful car ever offered by a German company for use on public roads up to that time. 

The model formed the basis for a new Group B rally car, in which the four-valve engine delivered 450 PS right from the start (331 kW). It was used for the first time in the penultimate rally of 1984, the Ivory Coast Rally. The remaining eleven rallies of the season were contested by the ‘real Stig’ Blomqvist in the 265 kW (360 PS) Audi quattro A2, Group B. He won the drivers’ title and Audi won the manufacturers’ world championship.

The five-cylinder’s signature sound is created by the odd number of cylinders and the unique firing sequence 1-2-4-5-3, which alternates between cylinder pairs adjacent to each other and further away at an interval of 144 degrees of crankshaft rotation. This gives the 2.5 TFSI a very special rhythm and sound character. The geometry of the exhaust manifold contributes to this unique sound as well with different exhaust gas flow times between the exhaust valves and the turbocharger.

The end result? Audi changed the face of modern day rallying and added a new visceral aural beat to rallying’s musical repertoire.

Knockhill - Winning Ways

At the recent ‘Scottish Car of the Year 2025’ ceremonial awards night at the Dalmahoy Hotel, Jillian Shedden, Managing Director of Knockhill Racing Circuit, was presented with the President’s Award. This is an annual award which is made by the Association of Scottish Motoring Writers’ President to recognise the efforts of and contributions made by an individual, club or organisation to promote motoring and/or motor sport in Scotland.

AoSMW President Ally Bally said: "Jillian has been a cornerstone of Knockhill Racing Circuit for many years. Under her leadership, Knockhill has continued to thrive, hosting international events and maintaining its reputation as one of the UK’s most revered motorsport venues. Jillian also supports young drivers, encourages emerging talent and helps make motorsport accessible for all. Through her hard work and efforts, Jillian has shaped the future of not only Knockhill but motorsport in Scotland, too. This she does with true passion".

This followed on from another award which was presented recently to Knockhill at the RAC Club National Awards ceremony in Pall Mall, London (England). Representing the circuit was Stuart Gray, who had obviously been run through a car wash and then ‘detailed’ before being dispatched south to collect this award, for their International McRae Rally Challenge event held in September.

Stuart said: "We had worked closely with the Border Ecosse Car Club, the McRae family, key individuals from the rally scene, as well as clubs and private rally car owners. We are all thrilled that the event was recognised nationally as the awards are so prestigious within the motorsport scene worldwide".

By the way, the event was hosted by our own Lee McKenzie (herself a former recipient of the AoSMW President’s Award) who incidentally hails originally from Alloway which was also the birthplace of Rabbie Burns! Is that a coincidence - both have/had the gift of the gab?