Grant Construction Knockhill Stages Rally
Saturday, 29th December 2012
The first of the day’s 8 Special Stages starts at 8:30 am and with daylight officially coming to a close at 4.00 pm, the last stage should be under way by then! Fingers crossed
Entry List:
1, John Rintoul/Bobby Rintoul (Mitsubishi Evo 8)
2, Billy Mcclelland/Helen Brown (Mitsubishi Evo 3)
3, Stuart Walker/Julie McGuire (Mitsubishi Evo 9)
4
5, Ricky Wheeler/Gordon Thompson (Ford Escort MkII)
6, Alan Gardiner/Billy Gower (Ford Escort MKI)
50, Stephen Lockhart/Julie Lockhart (Mitsubishi Evo 7)
7, Stuart Baillie/TBA (Subaru Impreza)
8, Colin Gemmel/Cameron Fair (Subaru Impreza)
9, Lee Hastings/Brian Findon (Subaru Impreza)
10, Stephen Hunter/Christopher Hunter (Subaru Impreza)
11, Ross Hunter/Gary White (Peugeot 205)
12, Ian Forgan/Kathryn Forgan (TBA)
14, SANTA Claus/Rudolf R (Sleigh)
15, Graeme Schoneville/Michael Hendry (Honda Civic)
16, Sean Robson/Callum Atkinson (Ford Fiesta ST)
17, Lachlan Cowan/Jordan Black (Ford Fiesta ST)
18, Des Campbell/Alex Orr (Peugeot 206 Cup)
19, George Bryson/ Jacqueline Bryson (Ford Escort MKII)
20, Kieran O’Kane/John Frew (Opel Ascona)
21, Graham Bruce/Jane Nicol (Mitsubishi Evo 4)
22, Ian Shiels/Nicola Ritchie (BMW 318 Compact)
23, David Brown/Tom Hynd (Honda Civic)
24
25, Gordon Halley/Jeff Horne (Ford Escort MKII)
26, Richard Stewart/ Lewis MacDougal (Vauxhall Corsa)
27, Bill Hamilton/Sara Hamilton (Opel Kadett)
28, Drew Struthers/Jim Johnston (Talbot Sunbeam)
29, Fergus Gray/Guy Halley (Peugeot 206 GTI)
30, Roy Millar/Gary Voss (Vauxhall Astra)
31, Colin Baxter/John Campbell (Peugeot 205 GTI)
32, James Thomson/Alison Woodcock (Peugeot 206 )
33, Graeme Rintoul/Jim Rintoul (Fiesta XR2i)
34, Ross McCallum/Graeme Meins (MG Maestro)
35, Steven Hay/Chris Lees, (Vauxhall Corsa)
36, Ross Pringle/TBA (Vauxhall Corsa)
37, Ian Miller/Gary McDonald (Peugeot 106 )
38, Bob Irvine/Scott Irvine (Peugeot 205)
39, Leonard Jones/Greg Patterson (Vauxhall Chevette)
40, Gordon McElrath/ Colin Smith (Vauxhall Chevette HS)
41, Caroline Carslaw/John Duke (Ford Fiesta ST)
42, Shona Hale/Violet Kydd (Vauxhall Corsa)
43, Ross Carbry/TBA (Vauxhall Corsa)
Spectator information and ticket prices available at:
http://motorsport-events.knockhill.com/grant-construction-knockhill-stages.php
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TV Schedules
Keep an eye on the seasonal TV schedules this week, there is supposed to be a documentary coming soon on Colin McRae, but this one will be different, it will be narrated by Sir Chris Hoy.
Part of a BBC series on ‘Racing Legends’ the first two programmes have been scheduled for transmission this week. On Thursday 27th, the first one will be on Stirling Moss with Patrick Stewart (he acts a bit), and the second one on Friday evening the 28th with James Martin (he cooks a bit) and both start at 8:00 pm.
Chris (he does a bit of cycling) has been all round the UK filming for this programme and is a real motor sports fan. He was at the British Touring Car race at Knockhill earlier this year but admitted that he preferred rallying and that Colin was one of his all time heroes.
The link below should show when the programme is coming on.
http://www.bbc.co.uk/programmes/b01pqc19/broadcasts/upcoming
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2013 Forestry Charges
There’s an old saying that ‘there is nothing more certain in life than death and taxes’. Very true, but we can add to that – Forestry Commission charges.
The MSA recently announced the charges for 2013. Another non-surprise is that fact that they have gone up. Rates for 2013 are £651.00 for Primary usage and £386.00 for Secondary usage compared to £631.00 and £374.00 for last year.
Rubbing salt into the wound was the blithe little phrase ‘Prices have increased in line with the Retail Price Index (RPI) at 3.2%’. That’s about as subtle as Richard Branson announcing a 6% increase in British train fares from his tax haven on Necker island in the British Virgin Islands.
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ARR Craib Scottish Rally Championship
Thank goodness the car clubs are bit more sensitive to competitor needs than those who rule over us. Somehow, Highland Car Club have managed to keep the Entry Fee for the first round of the national series in February – crikey is it only 6 weeks away? – under 500 quid.
Yes, I know it’s a lot and once you add the insurance and extras it creeps up again, but at least the club is doing its bit for cash-strapped amateur rallyists. Methinks those who wear blazers could learn from those who wear anoraks.
The Regs and Entry Form are up on the Highland Car Club website now for the Thistle / Arnold Clark Snowman Rally on the 16th of February at:
http://www.snowmanrally.co.uk/SnowmanRally/Online-Entry.aspx
**
More from the Monte Carlo Press Conference in Glasgow ….
It was a surprise to see George Donaldson hosting the Press Conference in the People’s Palace but it turns out, George is an absolute fan of this historic event. In fact, without his help, Douglas Anderson and his organising team were struggling to get the Automobile Club of Monaco to agree.
Remember, George was Team Manager for Toyota for six years so he knew a lot of folk in the ACoM. Anyway, he made a few calls, pleaded their case, job done. Apparently, a big thing in Glasgow’s favour is that Glasgow is in Scotland and the Monegasques like the Scots. The Scottish/English thing is a bit like Monaco’s relationship with France, so they looked more favourably on Scotland’s application to host a start point than they did the English appeal.
Scott Taylor of Glasgow City Council came up with an interesting fact when he welcomed the news that the Monte Carlo Classic Rally would start from the city. Last year Clydebank was mobbed at the start while the year before he reckoned there were over 9000 folk in the city centre. That’s a lot of people in the middle of January, hence the interest.
That’s the main reason behind the gathering in Buchanan Street on Saturday the 26th of January. From 10.00 am till 1.00 pm, competitors and other classic cars will assemble in the shopping precinct (there’s the clue!) before driving out to the official start at the People’s Palace at 2.00 pm.
According to Scott, the city centre start two years ago generated in excess of £1 million extra revenue at this quiet time of year. He’s hoping to do better next month.
Which makes me wonder why there was only tea and coffee at the press ’do’, no wee sausage rolls and dainties. Cheapskates.
It was also odd to note that Jim McRae had ever actually contested the Monte Carlo Rally, although he’s been round the route at least 60 times according to his reckoning. That’s because he ran ice note crew for the Metro 6R4 team and then for Colin when he joined Subaru. Even though he did the route at least three times on each visit, he still had time for coffee and pastries in quaint little French villages in the mountains.
Now that’s what I call getting the priorities right.
And finally ….
For his Christmas, Jonathan received a brand new suitcase from Eleanor (we all know who youse twa are). Ostensibly this was given as a present ahead of Jonathan’s planned trip to New Zealand for three and a half weeks next month. Jonathan was very touched by this thoughtful gift, but those of us of a more cynical nature did wonder. Gift or encouragement? Gesture or hope? Methinks Jonathan should check his ticket – it might only be a one way job ….
Gaun yersel Eleanor … Merry Christmas and Happy New Year everyone