Rally on the move

Feb 11 2011 by Gordon Bannerman, Perthshire Advertiser Friday

FOLLOWING the enthusiastic reception given to motorsport competitors in Highland Perthshire, the organisers of this year’s Colin McRae Forest Stages rally are planning to stage both the start and finishing ceremonies in Aberfeldy.

Last year, the event was due to start in Aberfeldy and finish in Perth, but following the tragedy which befell rally legend Jimmy Girvan, it was abandoned on the second stage.

However, such was the support and encouragement received by Coltness Car Club from local folk and the business community following the accident that the club have decided to move the whole event 20 miles north for their October challenge.

Coltness Car Club president Jim Brown said: “Perth and Kinross Council, Tayside Police and the city of Perth have been good to us over the past seven years, but we felt a change was needed.

“With Aberfeldy being quite a bit smaller than Perth, there was a terrific atmosphere surrounding the Rally Start festivities last year and we would like to build on that.

“This year our event is a counter in the British Historic Rally Championship as well as the final round of our own national Scottish Rally Championship, and I feel sure that the town where the Black Watch regiment was first mustered 270 years ago, will provide a warm Highland welcome to our English visitors.”

Moving the event to Aberfeldy also greatly reduces the road mileage on the event and will allow central servicing in the town, which lies close to Drummond Hill, Errochty and Craigvinean forests.