Motorsport: Scone Palace is the starting line for Rally of Scotland

Nov 20 2009 by Les Stewart, Perthshire Advertiser Friday

SCOTLAND’S First Minister Alex Salmond waved off the first 10 cars at the inaugural RACMSA Rally of Scotland at historic Scone Palace last night.

The rally started officially at the ancient crowning place of Scottish kings and queens and will conclude with a spectacular ceremonial finish at Stirling Castle tomorrow.

It will be a fitting celebration for the exciting final of the Intercontinental Rally Challenge (IRC) series.

Unlike other motorsport events, this is the first time that so many prestigious historic locations have been incorporated into the final of an international series.

It was also the first time that some of the greatest international rally drivers have been allowed to drive competitively within the grounds of the Palace.

Other landmark locations on the 500-mile route include Stirling Castle and Blair Castle.

At the ceremonial start, there was an autograph signing session, with the top 10 drivers and their co-drivers allowing fans to get up close to their favourites and have their rally memorabilia signed.

Among the top-class names from the world of rallying were the recently crowned IRC Champion Kris Meeke, Scottish Rally Champion David Bogie and Alister McRae, who will be making his homecoming to Scotland from Australia, where he now lives.

The traditional champagne ceremony will mark the end of the rally tomorrow and will take place at majestic Stirling Castle.

Spectators will be able to attend free of charge and can look forward to an afternoon of entertainment, including a large screen showing Eurosport footage of the live Saturday stage and featuring commentaries and interviews as the drivers parade over the finish ramp.

To make life easier for those in attendance and to ensure that no action is missed, there will be a free park and ride service from Castleview to Stirling Castle Esplanade tomorrow.

It will run approximately every 15-20 minutes. All spectators are advised to use this service as there is no parking at the castle.

Stirling Service Park is based in the centre of the town and is free of charge for all spectators.

Fans will be able to get right in the hub of all the action and enjoy the buzz of activity as the rally cars are refuelled and repaired.

To keep up to date with news and information about the Rally of Scotland, visit www.rallyofscotland.com

Tickets are available now and can be purchased by calling 0844 847 2488.

THE Homecoming Scotland element of the RACMSA Rally of Scotland has a special meaning for Sergeant Ewen Christie – a Perth-born and bred man who captains the British Armed Forces rally team.

Ewen (42) is a member of the Territorial Army, with a full-time civilian job as operations manager with Scottish and Southern Electricity.

He’s now based in Reading, so is looking forward to his first homecoming since moving south, although he still has a house in Perth city centre.

It was on Ewen’s instigation that the Armed Forces team of six Land Rover Wolfs – light utility vehicles used by the British Army – are competing in the three-day rally..