An epic new year of Scottish rallying begins at this weekend’s Tore Care Sales Snowman Rally [February 14], with what’s predicted to be one of the most open Asset Alliance Group Scottish Rally Championship seasons in years.
With a history that dates back to 1968, the Scottish Rally Championship is Scotland’s premier rally series, unearthing future British and even World champions like Colin McRae over the years.
The only regional championship in the UK to offer competitors both Tarmac and gravel events, 2026 features seven high-octane events running from February to September, beginning with the Snowman Rally based in Muir of Ord, just outside Inverness.
The championship has attracted a stellar entry once more in 2026, with the contest expected to be more competitive than ever in the absence of the five most recent Scottish champions – David Bogie, Euan Thorburn, David Henderson, Garry Pearson and Andrew Gallacher.
Two-time champion Jock Armstrong is the only Scottish drivers’ champion from the past 20 years on the entry list, returning to his faithful Subaru Impreza alongside co-driver Owen Paterson after driving a Skodaru in 2025.
Taking the challenge to the Castle Douglas driver is Dumfries ace Mark McCulloch, who finished second in last year’s championship behind the wheel of his homebuilt Proton Satria Evo. He and co-driver Michael Hendry have the honour of starting as car #1 on Saturday.
The rest of the top-10 is flooded with state-of-the-art Rally2 and R5 machines, headed by local Muir of Ord man Scott Macbeth who’ll be guided in his VW Polo R5 by Inverness’ Andrew Falconer. Macbeth’s is one of three Polos on the entry, along with Tore’s Thomas Gray (co-driven by Harry Marchbank) and Robert Adamson (co-driven by Harry Stubbs).
There’ll be competition up and down the field at round one, with several competitors registered for the G&M Mechanical Services 2WD Championship, Oakbank Challengers Championship, Questmead Junior Championship, Haddo Energy Super Seniors and Groundwater Lift Trucks Subaru Cup.
Alness’ David Wilson leads the 2WD charge in his BMW ahead of last year’s champion Paddy Munro (Ford Escort Mk2), Ross Jarrett (Ford Escort Mk2), Craig Rutherford (Ford Escort Mk2) and event sponsor Ross MacDonald (Peugeot 208 Rally4).
Brett McKenzie returns to defend his Challengers title in his Mitsubishi, Fraser McDougall and Robbie Will will battle in the Juniors and five Imprezas have entered the Subaru Cup at the Snowman, led by Jordan Anderson.
