Garry Pearson continued his winning streak in the 2026 Asset Alliance Group Scottish Rally Championship (SRC), taking victory at the Dunoon Presents Argyll Rally after a big battle with Scott Macbeth.
Pearson and stand-in co-driver Jack Morton took the lead from Brunton on the fourth stage and held it throughout the opening evening to carry a four-second lead into Saturday. Driving a Fabia RS Rally2 for the first time, 2021 Scottish Rally champion Pearson was shadowed by the only other crew to win an event so far in 2026: Macbeth and co-driver Andrew Falconer.
Volkswagen Polo GTI R5 driver Macbeth refused to let Pearson escape, but the Border Counties and Jim Clark Reivers winner held firm out front to gradually extend his advantage throughout the day. Arriving at the ceremonial finish in Dunoon town centre, 14 seconds was all that separated the top two crews.
The result marked a hat-trick of wins for Pearson, while it was a first in the SRC for co-driver Jack Morton who has experience working with Hyundai World Rally Championship driver Hayden Paddon.
Mark McCulloch / Michael Hendry claimed their first podium finish of the season with third place in their Proton Satria Evo, surviving a scary spin on Saturday morning to move into the lead of the championship – boosted by both playing their one permitted Joker.
Alexander Vassallo / Chris Lees have shown superb pace in their Ford Fiesta Rally2 this season, but choosing a wet setup on predominantly dry roads on Friday – plus a brief trip off the road with sun blinding Vassallo’s vision – compromised their podium bid, leaving them fourth at round four.
Craig Rutherford starred in his Ford Escort Mk2 to claim a top-five finish, as well as victory in both the G&M Mechanical Services Rally Preparation 2WD and Oakbank Challengers Championships. In both categories, Ross Jarrett / Dave Robson (Escort Mk2) and Callum Atkinson / Nikki Addison (Peugeot 208 Rally4) completed the podium.
