SATURDAY’S McRae Gravel Challenge was to have been a one-off tribute event to commemorate the passing of Britain’s first world rally champion, Colin McRae, killed a decade ago.
However, with bubbles still to be had in what was left of the ceremonial Champagne at the finish, the word "inaugural" was being whispered amongst crews, organisers and the rally enthusiasts who had turned up in Craigvinean Forest, north of Perth, to watch the action unfold.
Whether there is indeed another McRae Gravel Challenge is something that will be considered over the winter months. What is for certain, though, is that Saturday’s rally – with 30 competitive miles over four stages, across one location, and minus the need for lengthy road sections – was a winner with the drivers who took part, amongst them, Jimmy McRae, father of the late, great Colin.
McRae Sr had run "0" car on the rally, opening the event, and demonstrating that he has lost none of his showmanship or car control at the wheel of his newly-acquired 2.3 Magnus Firenza, not the monster Chevrolet-powered V8 version many had expected.
While his car expired with suspension failure after three stages, McRae was still able to enthuse about the day and format.
“It was disappointing the shock absorber failed, but that is rallying. But in terms of special-stage forest rallying, what we witnessed on this event could be the shape of things to come,” admitted the five-time former British champion.
“The stages were in superb condition, which helped, but I think everyone enjoyed the short, sharp format. I never heard a single complaint from the other crews – which is unusual, and maybe what Coltness Car Club and their friends have put on this weekend is where the future of rallying is headed.”
The schedule and set-up used owed much to the ongoing legislation and concerns about safety within the form of motorsport. But despite "safe areas" being laid out to accommodate spectators safely, there were still sufficient idiots – albeit in single figures – who held the rally up because they would not co-operate with marshals and safety officers.
Nevertheless, their shenanigans did nothing to subdue the crews taking part, with former five-time Scottish champion David Bogie – with Damien Connolly alongside – taking the honours by 1min 23sec ahead of Andrew Gallacher and Jane Nicol in their Ford Focus, with the Subaru Impreza WRC of Quintin Milne and Sean Donnelly third, just a second behind.
“We had contemplated using the Escort, but with Rally GB next month, it was better to get some practice in with the Skoda R5, and, with Damien on the pace notes for the first time,” said Bogie.
“It was a bit slippery in the morning but we never missed a beat all day on what was an excellent rally which I really enjoyed.”
Bogie took 17 seconds out of Milne over the Inver Wood and Craig Donald tests, before a spin on SS3, Craigvinean, saw Milne drop 50 seconds and any chance he had of catching Bogie. “I was trying, boy, I was trying, but spun it away,” reflected Milne, who was then unable to catch a hard-charging Gallacher.
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