Grand Prix legend Jackie Stewart flies flag for rally

Nov 10 2009 by Gordon Bannerman, Perthshire Advertiser Tuesday

GRAND Prix legend Sir Jackie Stewart flagged up the imminent RACMSA Rally of Scotland in Glasgow.

But doubters continue to question Eventscotland claims of an economic bonanza for Perth and Kinross as the year of Homecoming draws to a close.

And the PA can reveal that a swathe of hotel rooms put on hold for the event have been cancelled by an agency involved with the Intercontinental Rally Challenge event from November 19-21.

One Fair City hotelier confirmed a group booking had been cancelled and Dougal Spaven, manager at the smart Atholl Palace in Pitlochry, said: “We had up to 50 rooms being held by an agency but to be honest I didn’t expect to be inundated.

“It would have been nice to have this booking firmed up for November but we weren’t counting on it. I was always a bit sceptical.”

Scone Palace will host a ceremonial start and action in the grounds and there will be a service park and further stages at Craiginvean and Drummondhill.

but a local rally fan complained the bulk of the event would unfold in Stirling, which pitched in a five-figure sum along with Perth and Kinross Council.

He also queried whether Perth would be able to retain the prestigious McRae Rally if it was riding up against next year’s provisional Rally Scotland October date.

Organisers say entries are nudging towards 60, with more than 30 international entries received, covering eight vehicle manufacturers.

Initially the figure had been pitched around the 100-mark, the motorsport fan maintained, and he queried the tag “world class field.”

But leading names that have entered include 2009 IRC drivers' champion – and factory Peugeot driver – Kris Meeke, Scotland's Alister McRae in a semi-works Proton Satria and Scottish favourite David Bogie in a Mitsubishi Lancer Evolution IX.

A second Peugeot 207 S2000 has been entered by the BF Goodrich Drivers Team.

Also on the entry list are Craig Breen and Tom Cave. Both will be names to watch, taking on the might of the IRC's established stars in the Scottish forests.

Andrew Coe, chief executive of event organiser International Motor Sports Ltd, insists he is thrilled with the quality of the entry.

He said: “It is shaping up to be a cracking finale to the 2009 IRC series. The lochs and hills of Stirling and Perth and Kinross will provide a stunning backdrop for what we hope will be the first visit of many visits for the IRC to Scotland.”

Paul Bush, chief operating officer at Eventscotland, added: “The Rally of Scotland will, without doubt, be one of this year's sporting event highlights, a fantastic addition to our year of Homecoming and an unmissable spectacle in Perth and Kinross and Stirling. “