One of the most highly anticipated editions of the Voyonic Grampian Forest Rally will get underway next weekend, as a spectacular list of rallying greats head for the Banchory-based event on 9/10 August.
A ‘who’s who’ of British rallying litter the 90-strong entry list as a stellar line-up of crews line up to tackle one of the largest Grampian rallies on record, as it expands into a two-day event in 2024 to evaluate the cars and crews to the limit.
A return of the prestigious Probite British Rally Championship [BRC] after a year sabbatical is bolstered by the Asset Alliance Group Scottish Rally Championship [SRC] regulars, along with newcomers in the Stellantis Motorsport Rally Cup IRE & UK.
World, European and National champions litter the entry list, which will offer fans both on and off the stages a real treat across the weekend. They will have the opportunity to witness some of the best drivers in the business in action in the nearby Kincardineshire forests, plus the introduction of the all-new Rally Zone in King George V Park in Banchory will enable fans to get up close to the cars and stars for autographs and selfies.
Once again, the rally is backed by Voyonic Crew Management Group Limited who sponsor the event for the third consecutive year. The Voyonic Group has offices in Aberdeen, Newcastle, and the Isle of Man, as well as global locations in Malta and Manila and specialises in employment and seafarer management services to the commercial shipping, offshore energy, cruise, and yacht industries and their involvement in the rally dates back over a decade.
Leading the crews away from Banchory on Friday evening is 2019 FIA European Rally champion Chris Ingram, who is set to drive his new Toyota GR Yaris Rally2 on a BRC round for the first time. Having won the opening round of the season in a VW Polo, Ingram makes his first trip to the event but is eager to get his title hopes back on track after a non-finish at the Jim Clark Rally.
Next of the heavy hitters is 2023 Junior World Rally Champions William Creighton and Liam Regan who pilot an M-Sport Ford Fiesta Rally2. The pairing leads the BRC standings but heads to Banchory fresh from a World Rally Championship outing in Finland so could well be up to speed quickly, despite being another crew to sample the north Scotland stages for the first time.
Having battled with Keith Cronin for the Grampian win in 2022, Osian Pryce returns but this time in a Fiesta Rally2 and with one win under his belt. With co-driver Rhodri Evans alongside, Pryce has the benefit of experience so will be one to watch. That said, Cronin lines up with Mikie Galvin at car four and as a former winner of the event, has to be one of the pre-event favourites in their Fiesta Rally2.
First of the SRC crews, Euan Thorburn heads to the Grampian with the weight of a potential title on his shoulders, as the maximum score here could net him a fourth Scottish Rally Championship title. With Keir Beaton on the notes, Thorburn is also a former winner of the event so has form in the stages, but he faces the advances of Finlay Retson [VW Polo R5] and Jock Armstrong [Skoda Fabia] who threaten to take the fight to the next round.
Retson has rarely been off the podium this season and he and Paul Beaton’s gravel pace is impressive, but he will need to outscore Thorburn to keep his hopes alive. Armstrong meanwhile is still bedding into his new steed and with Owen Paterson on the notes, is eying improvement over an outright victory.
Picking a winner from the ultra-impressive list is next to impossible, with the likes of James Williams [Hyundai i20], Meirion Evans [Yaris Rally2] and Garry Pearson [Fiesta Rally2] all able to fight out front.
Max McRae [Fiesta Rally2] will head for the local forests for the first time as the son of 1995 British champion Alister dovetails his BRC and European Rally Championship commitments. Keeping it in the family, Max’s grandad and five-time British Rally champion Jimmy McRae will celebrate his 50th year in the sport with an entry in a Ford Escort MKI. The Lanark driver will run with the number 50 on the doors in a nod to his superb achievement.
Such is the strength of the entry, just outside of the top ten several local heroes will be aiming for bragging rights on home soil with Huntly driver John Wink the pre-event favourite in his Hyundai i20. Wink has finished on the podium of the event in the past and with his SRC campaign improving with every passing round, ensures the eyes will be on him for local honours.
Aberdeen is well represented with a flurry of drivers including Chris Collie who will put his Fiesta R5 through its paces, whilst Simon Hay heads out in his Mitsubishi Evo VI and Keith Robathan will hurl his Vauxhall Firenza around the stages.
Alford’s Scott Beattie enjoyed a top-five run out on the Scottish Rally in his Fiesta R5 so could well be one to watch, whilst Bruce and Scott McCombie are as local as it gets, both hailing from Banchory. Bruce will wheel out a Fiesta R5 this time around, whilst Scott will pilot his usual Mitsubishi Evo IX.
Rally fans are in for a real treat both on and off the stages, with ample opportunity to catch the cars and crews during the weekend. Things get underway on Friday [9 August] with technical checks during the day at the Milton of Crathes rally base. Here, the pre-event formalities take place plus the venue hosts the service area on both days. Fans can view the teams working on the cars, plus there is a giant TV screen which will beam the live action from the stages into the heart of the service area.
King George V Park in Banchory hosts the all-new Rally Zone which will be a hive of activity throughout the weekend, with the chance to meet the stars and cars, get autographs and more. There will be rally car displays, trade stands and stalls alongside the ceremonial start on Friday afternoon. Cars return on Saturday for the regroup and the venue also hosts the ceremonial finish later that afternoon.
For thrill-seekers, there are three opportunities to catch the action on the stages with the event's dedicated spectator areas which provide splendid views, toilets, and refreshments. The first stage of the rally on Friday night offers the first glimpse at Finglennie with Durris offering another opportunity on Saturday from around midday. Cars then return to Finglennie later in the afternoon.
For spectator information, entry lists and more can be found on the event’s social media channels and website: www.grampianforestrally.com
-ENDS
For more information on Voyonic Crew Management Group, please visit: https://www.voyoniccrew.com/
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