Record numbers sign-up for Rally of Scotland

Sep 30 2011 by Greg Christison, Perthshire Advertiser Friday

A RECORD number of international entries have been received for next weekend’s Rally of Scotland extravaganza.

The high-octane event, which will thunder through forests in Perthshire and Stirlingshire from Friday to Sunday (October 7-9), will see 38 international drivers from 17 countries compete.

Amongst the entrants are the top three in the Intercontinental Rally Challenge standings, Jan Kopecky, Freddy Loix and Thierry Neuville, who will all be keen to take maximum points from the penultimate race in the calendar.

Scottish stars Alister McRae and David Bogie, who has already secured this year’s British and Scottish Rally Championship titles, will also appear.

In addition, a further 25 entries have been received for the supporting national event.

Speaking to the PA yesterday, Andrew Coe, the chief executive of International Motor Sports, which organises the Rally of Scotland, admitted he was pleased with the number of participants.

He said: “We are delighted to have attracted such a phenomenal line-up of teams, drivers and cars.

“This is fantastic news for all of our partners, the many local motor clubs and volunteer marshals and officials who play such a vital role in the smooth running of the event.

“And of course for the thousands of public – be they die-hard fans of the sport or casual observers – who will be attending the weekend.”

Similarly, Paul Bush OBE, the chief operating officer for EventScotland, added: “This year’s impressive line-up of drivers clearly shows how highly regarded the Rally of Scotland is by the professionals.

“It’s an endorsement of Scotland’s credentials as the perfect stage for international rallying for drivers, spectators and also the many thousands of people who will watch this impressive competition on TV around the world.”

The weekend’s event will be broadcast to a potential of 123 million households throughout 59 countries by Eurosport’s 70-strong team.

Each stage boasts five fixed cameras, a further 10 will capture on-board action whilst an aeroplane and helicopter will provide aerial shots.

Four stages will be broadcast live and a highlights package will keep viewers up-to-date with the rest of the competition.

After a ceremonial start at Stirling Castle on Friday, this year’s rally heads straight into its first two competitive timed stages in the dark of Carron Valley on the Stirlingshire - North Lanarkshire border.

Saturday sees classic stages in Perthshire such as Craigvinean, Drummond Hill and Errochty all run twice before drivers return to Carron Valley on Sunday morning.

Two new tests in Stirlingshire at Loch Chon and High Corrie will then be run twice, with the high-adrenaline competition climaxing in Perthshire with a final two stages and subsequent ceremonial finish in the majestic grounds of Scone Palace.

Admission is £20 per public vehicle per stage, with the exception of Sunday morning’s Carron Valley stage which is £10 per vehicle.

For more information, visit www.rallyofscotland.com.

* Skoda UK have provided a fleet of four-wheel-drive vehicles for this year’s event.

Yetis, Octavia Scouts and Superb models will transport VIPs and rally officials from stage-to-stage.

Volkswagen Commercial Vehicles will be used to haul equipment around the route.