Motorsport returns to closed Scottish roads

In a landmark development for motorsport in Scotland, new laws have been signed permitting motorsport to take place on closed public roads, paving the way for prominent events like the Jim Clark Rally and Mull Rally to return to the annual calendar.

BBR Rallying Fiesta R2 Ecoboost gearing up for Mull Rally

Kinross youngster Blair Brown and Richard Simmonds of Duns are heading this weekend for the Beatsons Building Supplies Mull Rally, one of the toughest rallies in the British rallying calendar. Backed by QTS Group this will only be the duos second outing in the first privately built M-sport Ford Fiesta R2 Ecoboost.

BBR Rallying Fiesta R2 Ecoboost makes debut at Rally Isle of Man

Kinross youngster Blair Brown took class win whilst debuting the first privately built M-sport World rally team Ford Fiesta R2 Ecoboost on Rally Isle of Man last weekend. The QTS Group backed young driver joined the further 125 drivers in tackling the 170 stage mile long event, that uses the internationally renowned Isle of Man roads. With only 80 crews successfully finishing the three day-long event, Blair and co-driver Richard Simmonds from Duns also finished 24th place overall in the National event.

Last rally of season gives Craig plenty to Mull over

Three days of rallying round his home island proved to be a positive way for Isle of Mull rally driver Craig Rutherford to round off his 2012 season. The Honda Civic Type R driver overcame problems from both inside and outside the car to score a sound finish on last weekend’s Tunnock’s Mull Rally.

Champion Sykes takes on Mull Rally challenge

2012 BRC Challenge champion Richard Sykes will finish his rally season next weekend with the notoriously tough Mull Rally in Scotland.

Sykes completed his BRC Challenge season at the end of last month on the Trackrod Challenge rally. Despite a traumatic first stage in the dark of Dalby forest which saw him lose over 12 minutes to the leaders after first hitting a log and then getting stuck in a ditch Sykes battled back with quick times on the rest of the stages to finish second in class in his Bathams Brewery, G I Sykes Ltd, Boroughbridge Marina and Silverstone Tyres-supported Citroën C2 R2 Max.

Rutherford snatches defeat from clutches of victory, looks forward to Mull

Craig Rutherford’s 2012 Scottish Rally Championship swansong didn’t end well – but the Isle of Mull driver is determined to bounce back as soon as he returns to his home island.

The Honda Civic Type R pilot from Fionnphort was in action on Saturday’s Colin McRae Forest Stages in Perthshire. 22 year-old Craig had already secured the Brick and Steel Ecosse Challenge Type R title, the Scottish Junior Rally Championship and the class honours for his Honda, but wanted to help his co-driver Ross Hynd secure some extra silverware. With Ross only joining the team halfway through the season, he was a little down on Craig’s points tally, so the aim was to get a good score and help the Ayr navigator climb the rankings.

Rally2Raise fundraising project makes a successful start on Mull Rally

The Rally2Raise team got their fundraising activities off to a great start at the recent Mull Rally when almost £60 was raised selling cakes and cookies to crews and spectators.

The Rally2Raise project is aiming to raise funds for the Nystagmus Network, Cancer Research UK and the MS Society as well as raising awareness of post-natal depression. Team members Rachel Medich from Blackburn near Aberdeen and Katherine Begg from Morecambe have had personal experience of all four of the causes and they will be running a series of fundraising activities in the remainder of 2011 and throughout 2012.

Edwards takes best ever result on island rally

Bolton le Sands rally driver Dave Edwards enjoyed a very successful Mull Rally last weekend when he claimed 32nd place overall from a 130 car entry, his best ever result on the island.

Edwards to take on Isle of Mull rally challenge

Bolton-le-Sands rally driver Dave Edwards is completing preparations for his annual battle with the tight and tricky roads of the Isle of Mull where he will contest the Mull Rally for the third time in early October.

Rachel rallies to island success

Intensive preparation paid off last weekend for Penrith rally co-driver Rachel Medich when she successfully completed the notoriously difficult Tour of Mull car rally. Rachel and driver Dave Edwards took their Vauxhall Astra to 47th place from a start number of 145.