Champion Michael Binnie returns to defend his title at the Snowman Rally this weekend
Register for free to read more of the latest local news. It's easy and will only take a moment.
DEFENDING champion Michael Binnie says he is looking forward to returning to the Snowman Rally and the scene of his first major win this weekend.
The Cornhill-on Tweed driver heads to Ross-shire as the number one seed to defend the title he won back in 2020.
The 29-year-old is back behind the wheel with Kelso co-driver Claire Mole in a new Mitsubishi Evo 9 as he prepares to take on 91 drivers all competing for his crown.
The farmer says whatever the result this weekend, the Snowman Rally will always have a special place in his heart, being the first rally he won in his career.
“It was my first outright win so it will always be a special one to me,” he said.
“You always remember your first win and it is something that I will never forget.
“I remember going into the final section that Donnie MacDonald was right behind me and I had to go in full to secure my second position.
“But I took the stage win and the rally, my intention was to keep my second place, but as it happened Jock Armstrong relaxed a wee bit and wasn’t expecting my charge and we whipped a lot of time out of him so it was awesome.”
Binnie goes into the rally on Saturday as the number one seed.
But he says he knows he faces stiff competition to keep his crown.
“I have had a look at the top 10 and there is a lot of competition.
“Looking at my class because I can’t compare myself to the R5 and world rally cars as it isn’t realistic, Scott Beattie and Scott Macbeth are quick drivers in the same machinery as me.
“They are the lads I am looking to beat.
“There is also John Wink and Donnie MacDonald and I would like to see how close I can get to Jock Armstrong.
“But I tend to look at my class battle first and think of the guys I want to beat.”
Binnie says he is feeling the pressure of going into the rally as number one seed, but is also looking forward to the experience.
“ I would be lying if I said I didn’t feel more pressure because i’ve never done a rally i’ve won before, so it is a whole new experience.
“I have six R5 cars behind me. I have to put that at the back of mind and do my own thing. It is a privilege to be seeded number one and I want to enjoy it.
“Its different to being seeded sixth or seventh as there is no lines on the road and no brake marks. A good result is beating the other Mitsubishi drivers and potentially top-five finish.”
