The weather also played its’ part, rain showers crossing the landscape all day, making driving conditions incredibly tricky.
Fastest on the 1st stage, despite a massive sideways moment, David Henderson & Chris Williams would lead the rally all the way to the final stage. The Fiesta crew were under pressure the entire way by last year’s Reivers winners Euan Thorburn & Paul Beaton.
Stage 6 saw another twist, the Polo was delayed briefly in a chicane and dropped 6 seconds to the Fiesta to head into the final stage 8.9 seconds down on 1st place.
What followed was a classic SRC final stage shootout. Euan & Paul throwing caution to the wind, utilising all of Euan’s local knowledge to set an incredible fastest time by 12.9 seconds and grab another Reivers win by just 4 seconds. Both driver & co-driver wide eyed at the end of the final test.
For their part Henderson & Williams were not hanging about either, 2nd quickest over the last stage and the Fiesta arrived at the finish missing the rear wing. Considering David’s relative lack of seat time in recent times 2nd overall was an incredible result.
The battle for 3rd was equally dramatic, with 4 crews battling hard. Rory Young & Allan Cathers held the place in the morning, just ahead of Hugh Brunton & Drew Sturrock. Mark McCulloch & Michael Hendry were shadowing the Fabia, the Proton under the close attention of the Fiesta of Finlay Retson & Keir Beaton.
SS6 was again the venue for drama, both Young & Cathers and Brunton & Sturrock retiring at the exact same spot after arguments with a chicane.
That left McCulloch & Hendry to fight it out with Retson & Beaton. The Proton crew survived a massive 6th gear moment but kept a hold of 3rd place, beating the Fiesta by just 0.2 of a second and taking a 2nd Reivers podium in the last 3 years.
Out to test their Mk2 Escort before they launch an assault on Donegal, David Bogie & John Rowan took top honours in the G&M Mechanical Services 2 Wheel Drives.
Just 1 place behind the 6-times champion, Johnnie Mackay & Rachel Matheson took an excellent Albyn Garage Challengers win.
Making their 1st SRC start, Rob Cotton & Ethan Kidd immediately made a splash, taking the Groundwater Lift Trucks Subaru Cup win. Aileen’s big ladies rival, Meghan O’Kane lost out in the Ladies battle but did triumph in the Moates Offshore Juniors.
