… Brick & Steel Border Counties … Sat. 19th March …
“If I win this weekend, then I’ll buy it,” so said an upbeat Shaun Sinclair. The number 8 seed on Saturday’s Brick & Steel Border Counties Rally is entered in a Ford Focus WRC08. The Subaru Impreza is awaiting parts in the workshop so Shaun has done a deal with Dom Buckley to hire Trinidad & Tobago based John Powell’s Focus now that he has acquired a Fiesta R5. “I’ve been told it’s got a lot more power than the Subaru,” said Shaun,” but I haven’t driven it yet. I’m hoping to get a few miles in the car on Friday ahead of the rally. Seriously if I can get a top five finish then I might just do the next round of the Scottish Championship and take it from there.” Shaun had a terrible fight with his conscience to do this event this weekend. His 15 year old number 2 son Lorne, who won the British 250cc Quad Racing Championship last year, is competing in Ireland this weekend and Shaun was torn between parental duty and rallying, but I think the boy will be glad his Dad ain’t there, for once!!
As for Saturday, most competitors will be hoping for a return to normal – weather wise. Having said that, remember what it was like 4 years ago with blizzards, snow, ice and seriously low temperatures. Surely it can’t be as bad or anything like this year’s Snowman, can it?
Jock Armstrong and Mike Faulkner who head the entry will certainly be hoping so after a dismal start to their ARR Craib Scottish Championship campaign at Inverness while John MacCrone needs a good clean start to see how his pace matches the regular top Scots. As for Donnie MacDonald, he got off to a cracker of a start on his home event and the pressure will be on to maintain that form. Dale Robertson was mighty quick last time out too while Mark McCulloch’s hopes of what looked like a certain win were so bitterly frustrated by a puncture on the final stage. Bruce McCombie was on the case too while Garry Pearson was quickly acclimatising to his Fiesta and this time, he will be on ‘home’ turf. So who will win this weekend? Take your pick.
Spectator Info:
START / FINISH – Abbey Place, Jedburgh
Scrutineering takes place in Abbey Place on Friday 20th March from 14.00 hrs. First car is away on Saturday morning 08:30 hrs with the first of the finishers expected back from 15:50 hrs.
SPECIAL STAGE 1 & 6 – Craik 1 & 2 (Stage 1 first car 09:18 / Stage 6 first car 14:56)
There are two spectator areas on this stage. Spectator Area A is accessed via the B709 Ettrick to Eskdalemuir road. Enter the forest at the Gair. Denholm Playgroup are staffing the car park and will be located just off the public road. Once you have paid for car parking travel the forest road to an excellent hairpin junction with good viewing of the stage leading to the hairpin. There will be toilets facilities and the Juicy Meat Co will be on hand to supply hot food, tea and coffee.
Spectators Area B is accessed at Craik Village and parking is in the Forestry Commission car park. Ancrum Primary Parent Council will be staffing the car park. A short walk to the spectator area, which is on a banking providing a good view of the action. There will not be any facilities at this location.
PLEASE ENSURE THE ACCESS ROADS ARE KEPT CLEAR as they may be needed by Rescue Units in case of emergency. The Police will issue Parking Tickets to anyone they consider is inappropriately parked on the public road. Please drive carefully.
SPECIAL STAGE 2 – Cardrona
PLEASE NOTE there is no Spectator Access to this stage as there are no suitable spectator points or parking locations. The Organising Team request that you please avoid this stage to help prevent any problems
SPECIAL STAGE 3 & 5 – Elibank 1 & 2 (Stage 3 first car 11:03 / Stage 5 first car 13:39)
To access Spectators Area C turn off the A72 in Walkerburn heading south across the Tweed at the rugby club. Stay left onto the minor road and follow the spectator arrows for a short distance to West Bold. Enter the forest here, drive slowly through the forestry village onto the Glenbenna Burn road and park as instructed. Walkerburn Parent Toddler Group will be staffing this car park.
Absolutely no parking at the forestry village! Residents have welcomed the rally, so please help us further that goodwill. There is almost 1 mile of parking before the stage, this gives easy walking access to two junctions in close proximity where there are excellent views. There will be toilets facilities and the Juicy Meat Co will be on hand to supply hot food, tea and coffee.
PLEASE ENSURE THE ACCESS ROADS ARE KEPT CLEAR as they may be needed by Rescue Units in case of emergency. Please drive carefully.
SPECIAL STAGE 4 – Yair
PLEASE NOTE. There is no Spectator Access to this stage as it PR sensitive. At the request of Forest Commission the Organising Team request that you please avoid this stage to help prevent any problems. Any parking in passing places will be dealt with appropriately.
SERVICE AREA – Newtown St Boswells Auction Mart (Service 1 first car 11:45)
The service area was successfully used last year. It is under new ownership and we hope to continue using the facilities in the future. There is public parking opposite Scottish Borders Council HQ. Please park in the car park and walk in to the viewing area. Take care as there will be competitor vehicles moving within the service area. As with all of our venues we ask that you respect the land owners and put litter in bins or take with you. There is a cafe and toilets on site.
Entry List:
1, Jock Armstrong/Paula Swinscoe (Subaru Impreza) 1998, Class 1
2, Mike Faulkner/Peter Foy (Mitsubishi Lancer Evo IV) 2000, Class 11
3, Donnie MacDonald/Paul Beaton (Mitsubishi Evo 9) 1997, Class 1
4, John MacCrone/Rhianon Gelsomino (Ford Fiesta) 1600 Class 13
5, Bruce McCombie/Michael Coutts (Mitsubishi Evo) 1998, Class 12
6, Dale Robertson/Stuart Loudon (Mitsubishi Evo 9) 2000, Class 11
7, Mark McCulloch/Michael Hendry (Mitsubishi Lancer Evo IX) 1998, Class 12
8, Shaun Sinclair/Kirsty Riddick (Ford Focus 08) 0, Class 13
9, Garry Pearson/Robbie Mitchell (Ford Fiesta) 1600, Class 13
10, Barry Groundwater/Neil Shanks (Mitsubishi Lancer Evolution X) 1998, Class 12
11, Andrew Gallacher/Jane Nicol (Mitsubishi Evo 8) 1998, Class 12
12, John Rintoul/Ross Hynd (Hyundai Accent WRC) 2000, Class 13
14, Peter Stephenson/Patrick Walsh (Ford Focus WRC) 1998, Class 13
15, Fraser Wilson/Craig Wallace (Mitsubishi Evo 9) 1998, Class 10
16, Scott McCombie/Mark Fisher (Mitsubishi Evo 9) 1998, Class 12
17, John S Wink/John Forrest (Mitsubishi Evo IX) 1999, Class 11
18, Steve Bannister/Kim Baker (Ford, Escort Mk2) 1998, Class 6
19, John Morrison/Peter Carstairs (Mitsubishi Evo 9) 1998, Class 10
20, Matthew Robinson/Sam Collis (Fiat 131) 1995, Class 6
21, Steven Ronaldson/Gordon Chalmers (Mitsubishi EVO 9) 2000, Class 11
22, Greg McKnight/Chris McKnight (Ford Escort Mk2) 2000, Class 8
23, Ian Baumgart/Mike Dickson (Subaru Impreza) 1998, Class 11
24, Dougal Brown/Lewis Rochford (Ford Escort) 1998, Class 8
25, Darren Moon/Richard Crozier (Ford Escort Mk2) 1998, Class 6
26, Stephen Lockhart/Richard Wardle (Mitsubishi Evo V1) 1998, Class 11
27, Iain Wilson/Keith Riddick (Subaru Impreza) 2000, Class 11
28, Ian Graham, Thomas McErlean, Mitsubishi , Evo 9, 2000, Class 12 c
29, Brian Watson/Caroline Will (Mitsubishi Evo) 2000, Class 12
30, Ross MacDonald/Matthew Johnstone (Mitsubishi Evo8) 2000, Class 12
31, Carl Tuer/Robin Tuer (MG ZR S1600) 1598, Class 4
32, Alasdair S Graham/Laura Stuart (Mitsubishi Evo 9) 2000, Class 10
33, Scott MacBeth/Daniel Forsyth (Mitsubishi Evo) 1998, Class 11
34, Craig Rutherford/Chris Hamill (Subaru Impreza WRX STi) 1994, Class 10
35, Barry Renwick/Paul Hughes (Proton Millington) 2500, Class 12
36, Steven Smith/Daniel Johnstone (Ford Escort Mk2) 1598, Class 4
37, Scott Graham Mutch/Greg Duncan McDonald (Subaru GC8) 2000, Class 11
38, Ian Watson/Keith Atkinson (Mitsubishi Evo 9) 1998, Class 12
39, Ross McFadzean/Scott Thomson (Mitsubishi Evo 9) 1998, Class 11
40, Ellya Gold/Jean Hay (Mitsubishi Evo 6) 1997, Class 11
41, Keith Morris/Martin Forrest (Mitsubishi Evo 6) 1997, Class 11
42, James Gibb/Iain Robson (Ford Fiesta) 1993, Class 12
43, Gordon Murray/David O’Brien (Ford Escort) 2300, Class 9
44, Alex Curran/Susan Shanks (Vauxhall Corsa) 1600, Class 4
45, Grant Inglis/Robert Gray (Ford Escort) 1998, Class 8
46, Andy Kelly/Campbell Roy (Ford Mk1 Escort RS 2000) 1993, Class 6
47, Angus Lawrie/Jeannette Kvick (Vauxhall Corsa) 0, Class 2
48, Sean Will/Daniel Paterson (Mitsubishi Evo) 1997, Class 12
49, Simon Hay, Calum Jaffray, Mitsubishi, Evo6, 2000, Class 11
50, David Martin/Claire Mole (Citroen C2) 1587, Class 4
51, Trevor Gamble/Ronnie Roughead (VW Polo S2000) 1998, Class 12
52, Thomas Gray/David Law (Ford Fiesta R2) 1600, Class 4
53, Matthew Thomson/Ian Graham (Subaru Impreza GC8) 2000, Class 11
54, John McIlwraith/Scott Young (Ford Escort RS) 1998, Class 5
55, Murray Coulthard/John Frew (Citroen C2R2MAX) 1587, Class 4
57, Jim Robertson/Colin Maxwell (Citroen C2R2) 1600, Class 4
58, Nicholas Ian Kitching/Ben Clarke (Ford RS 2000) 2000, Class 6
59, Geoff Goudie/Murray Strachan (Subaru Impreza) 2000, Class 11
60, Jim Sharp/Sasha Heriot (Subaru Impreza) 2000, Class 11
61, Donald Brooker/Rachel Brooker (BMW 130i) 2996, Class 9
62, Dave Forrest/Charlie Carter (Ford Escort) 1998, Class 6
63, Scott Beattie/Russell Fair (Talbot Sunbeam) 1600, Class 3
64, Andy Struthers/Alasdair McIlroy (Citroen C2) 1598, Class 4
65, Ben Cree/Richard Shores (Peugeot 205GTI) 1598, Class 3
66, Linzi Henderson/Tom Hynd (Subaru Impreza) 1998, Class 11
67, Jordan Black/Scott Erskine (Citroen C2 VTS) 1585, Class 4
68, Ross Carbry/Charley Sayer-Payne (Vauxhall Corsa) 1400, Class 2
69, Donald Peacock/Scott Peacock (Peugeot 205 GTI) 1600, Class 3
70, Andy Chalmers/Martin MacCabe (Ford Escort) 1998, Class 5
71, Steven Fraser/Rhuaridh Campbell (Subaru Impreza) 2000, Class 11
72, Robert Thomson/Steven Kerschat (Mitsubishi Evo 8) 0, Class 1
74, Peter Humphrey/Douglas Humphrey (Opel Kaddett) 1897, Class 6
75, Niall Cowan Jnr/Thomas Bruce (MG ZR) 1398, Class 2
76, Jan Budge/Chris Pattison (Subaru Impreza) 1998, Class 11
77, Caroline Carslaw/John Duke (Ford Fiesta ST) 1999, Class 7
78, Alan Cowan/Katie Stimpson (Vauxhall Astra) 1998, Class 7
79, Ross Cree/Billy Gower (Subaru Impreza) 1995, Class 11
80, Luke McLaren/Calum McDonald (Peugeot 205 Gti) 1600, Class 3
81, Alexander Ian Milne/Alexander Benvie Milne (Ford Escort Mk2) 1998, Class 6
82, Alan McMorran/Albert Connelly (Chrysler Avenger) 1598, Class 6
83, Ian Heard/Denny Calder (Ford Escort Mk 2) 1993, Class 5
84, Douglas Cameron/Paul Wood (Peugeot 205 gti) 1580, Class 3
85, David Hunter/Adanda Morrison (Peugeot 205 Gti) 1580, Class 3
86, Gareth Dalgliesh/Kenneth Dalgliesh (Subaru Impreza RA) 2000, Class 11
87, Michael Andrew Binnie/Greg Halfpenny (Mitsubishi EVO 5) 1998, Class 11
88, Gina Walker/Richard Simmonds (Citroen C2) 1600, Class 4
89, Keith Seager/Mark Runciman (BMW Compact 318Ti) 1796, Class 8
90, Robbie Daly/Craig Service (Peugeot 106) 1600, Class 3
91, Ruairidh Blacklaws/Kyle Mackintosh (Vauxhall Corsa) 1400, Class 2
92, Robbie Beattie/TBA (Peugeot 205 Gti) 1580, Class 3
93, Ross Hughes/Kirsten Dallas (Citroen C2) 1587, Class 4
94, Alistair Murray/Ian Parker (Hillman Avenger) 1598, Class 6
95, Andrew Robinson/Graham Wilcox (Ford Escort Mk 2) 1988, Class 6