Just 3 weeks removed from the RSAC Scottish Rally the Asset Alliance Group Scottish Rally Championship roadshow heads north-east to Milton of Crathes for round 5 of the 2024 season, the Voyonic Grampian Forest Rally.
The best the SRC can offer will square off with the top drivers in the UK as they welcome the Probite British Rally Championship contenders to the Scottish forests.
Championship leader Euan Thorburn tops the SRC seeding, partnered once again by Keir Beaton, and it’s lining up to be a big weekend for the Polo pilot. A maximum score on this round would guarantee him another Scottish title, but if he slips up there are plenty of drivers who can still snatch the championship win.
Finlay Retson & Paul Beaton line up 2nd in the 2nd Volkswagen Polo. They narrowly missed out on 2nd at the Scottish, losing out to Euan & Keir by just 1 second. They will be looking for revenge on Finlay’s home event and Paul will hoping to maintain his co-driver’s points lead, lying 9 points clear of brother Keir after 4 rounds.
Jock Armstrong & Owen Paterson are the 3rd SRC seed, looking to bounce back after a disappointing 1st stage retirement in their home forests last time out.
The Huntly/Elgin team of John Wink & Neil Shanks and Scott Beattie & Welsh co-driver Peredur Davies entertained everyone at the Scottish with a cracking battle for 4th. Scott & Peredur eventually coming out on top. Both will be looking for more of the same this weekend on Scott’s home event.
Scott Peacock & Craig Wallace top the Evo entries, they’ll be rekindling their private Mitsubishi battle with top Albyn Garage Challengers seed Johnnie Mackay.
Greg McKnight & Harry Marchbank top the G&M Mechanical Services 2wd seeding, the big Escort will be looking to upset the BRC Juniors in their legions of Rally 4 208s, including Scottish 2wd and Challengers winners Robert Proudlock & Steven Brown.
Gordon Murray & Peter Carstairs start the Grampian looking for a 5th Haddo Energy Super Seniors win in a row. 4 crews will contest the Groundwater Lift Trucks Subaru Cup. Rob Cotton & Ethan Kidd make the long trip North to take on Moates Offshore Juniors sponsor Mike Moates & Gary McDonald who always go well in these forests.
Justin Gunning & Michael Moates top the Moates Offshore Juniors entry. Meghan also tops the points in the Lady drivers’ contest. 2 stages kick off the event on the Friday evening with a further 7 on the Saturday.
