Stages set for RSAC Scottish Rally in Dalbeattie

The stages are set for the RSAC Scottish Rally in Dalbeattie this weekend.

The Granite Town will host around 80 crews for the latest round of this year’s Asset Alliance Group Scottish Rally Championship.

The 78th version of the event will be based at Jas P Wilson Forest Machines, with a ceremonial finish in the town’s High Street.

In between, the drivers and navigators will be tested on 44 miles across six forest tests in Dalbeattie, Kinharvie and Glengap.

Top seed for the event is last year’s winner and multiple Scottish champion Jock Armstrong from Castle Douglas. He’s swapped his Subaru Impreza for a Skoda Fabia and is hoping for success with co-driver Owen Paterson.

Just behind him in the running order is Dumfries’ David Bogie, who is looking for his eighth victory on this event. John Rowan will be on the notes in his VW Polo R5.

Other front runners include current championship leader Euan Thorburn, Finlay Retson and the Polo of Kirkgunzeon’s Rory Young, who’ll be joined by Allan Cathers.

Dumfries’ Mark McCulloch heads into the event second in the standings and will have Michael Hendry on the notes in his Proton Satria Evo.

Other local interest includes the Mitsubishi Evo 9 of Angus Lawrie of Castle Douglas and Annan’s Paul Gribben, the Evo 8 of Scott Peacock of Castle Douglas, the similar car of Stranraer’s Martyn Erskine and Dumfries’ Charles Blair and the Subaru GC 8 of Stuart Paterson.

Plenty of Dumfries and Galloway crews are also in the two-wheel drive section, including a plethora of Ford Escorts.

Among them are Greg McKnight of Penpont and Harry Marchbank of Dumfries, as well as Dumfries pair David Hardie and John McCulloch, Bridge of Dee’s Donald Peacock and Dumfries’ Mairi Riddick,