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Top drivers from across Scotland to race in Snowman Rally on Saturday





Jock Armstrong and Hannah McKillop came first, John Wink and Neil Shanks came second and Michael Binnie and Claire Mole came third.. Picture: James Mackenzie.
Jock Armstrong and Hannah McKillop came first, John Wink and Neil Shanks came second and Michael Binnie and Claire Mole came third.. Picture: James Mackenzie.

BETTER late than never, the Snowman Rally is set to take place in Ross-shire and Inverness in the penultimate round of the Scottish Championship.

The biggest motor sport event in the Highlands returns on Saturday seven months than when it was originally planned.

The rally usually takes place March and is the opening round of the Scottish Championship.

But the event was in danger of being cancelled this year as organisers had to scrap its original date on Saturday, March 2.

The event was originally cancelled due to damage on to the planned course, along with negotiations between Motorsport UK and Forestry and Land Scotland not being finalised.

However, the 2024 event was saved as it was agreed to host the event on Saturday, October 19.

At the time of going to press, 74 drivers have signed up to the rally this weekend, which is down on 101 entries which were received for the 2023 event.

Course of the clerk Andy Jardine says it was disappointing that entries are down compared to last year but hopes the event will draw a good crowd to watch.

“We are a bit out of calendar but we are the penultimate round of the Scottish Rally Championship rather than the first.

“It has been a struggle to get entries, but after the Mull Rally we have managed to pick up a few more with 74 at the moment.

“It does give us challenges, but all the preparations are done and we are looking to get on to the showground.

“The weather is the obvious difference, we are not expecting snow, when running in March we are always waiting for the snow, so we are not expecting problems such as that.

“We are in the school holidays so that may bring out a few more people to watch and see the rally cars up close and see them getting serviced.”

The Scottish Rally Championship has already been decided with Euan Thorburn from Duns along with Paul Beaton from Inverness winning the title for the fourth time after victory.

Thorburn may decide not to take part in the Snowman Rally on Saturday with his national title confirmed, although he has registered to take part.

However, he has signed up to take part in the rally with co-driver Keir Beaton who is currently leading the Scottish co-drivers championship.

Jardine said: Euan is on the entry list but there is a question mark over him participating. Keir Beaton from Inverness is currently leading the Scottish Co-Driver Championship and he needs a good score to clinch the title. We are hoping he gets a run, he is sitting beside Euan so we hope he gets a run.

Last year’s Snowman Rally champion Jock Armstrong from Castle Douglas is set to defend his title with Owen Paterson from Dumfries set to be his co-driver this year as they are top seeds.

Also taking part in the Snowman Rally this year is Garry Pearson from Duns, who will also be competing in the final round of the British Rally Championship next weekend.

Top Highland seed is Scott Macbeth from Muir of Ord along with co-driver Daniel Forsyth who are seeded fifth in the rally.

The duo were leading the rally last year until they had an accident midway through the competition and were forced to retire.


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