Rally Scotland: Latest news - Part 2

Last chance for IRC 2WD Cup champion Hunt

“We simply have to win,” said Harry Hunt of his participation in the IRC 2WD Cup section of RACMSA Rally of Scotland this week. “This is not putting any pressure on me, it’s simply the way it is: if we want the title, we have to put in a big score.”

Starting the event 65 points behind IRC 2WD Cup leader Stefano Albertini, Hunt is still in contention for the crown. That’s because Albertini is not competing in Scotland, while extra points are on offer on the Perth-based event and the season-closing Cyprus Rally.

“Fortunately, it’s points and a half in Scotland and then double points on the final round in Cyprus, so there are plenty of points out there on offer,” said the 23-year-old British driver who claimed the IRC 2WD Cup title spoils at his first attempt last season.

Wilks excited by Peugeot tweaks for Scotland

Guy Wilks is hoping that a few tweaks to his Peugeot UK 207 Super 2000 will give him the edge as he bids for his second victory on RACMSA Rally of Scotland this week.

The 30-year-old Briton (pictured left) is chasing his first Intercontinental Rally Challenge points since June’s GEKO Ypres Rally. Last month he took part in a two-day test with Peugeot Sport near Peebles in the Scottish Borders.

He said: “We tried a new exhaust to get more top-end power and new dampers to get a better feeling with the car on gravel. When you have a lot more feel you have a lot more confidence because you know how much grip there is underneath you.”

Jardine back in the IRC in M-Sport Fiesta

Tony Jardine will return to the Intercontinental Rally Challenge when he contests RACMSA Rally of Scotland from 7-9 October, his first appearance in the series since his outing on the centenary edition of Rallye Monte-Carlo back in January.

Jardine, a Formula One television analyst, will drive an M-Sport Fiesta R2 in the IRC 2WD Cup section of the gravel event, which he completed in 18th overall back in 2009.

“I can’t wait to get back behind the wheel of a rally car, I’m in need of my next rallying fix,” said Jardine. “Plus, the Rally of Scotland is such a phenomenal event, with some spectacular stages and often challenging conditions.”

Jardine normally recruits fellow media personalities to co-drive his Fiesta. However, he has chosen vastly experienced navigator Gordon Noble, who has been competing for 26 seasons, for his IRC return.

Radio reporter enjoys ride with Mikkelsen

Intercontinental Rally Challenge frontrunner Andreas Mikkelsen has completed two successful days of testing for this weekend’s RACMSA Rally of Scotland – and given BBC Radio Scotland presenter Richard Cadey a ride of his life in his ŠKODA UK Motorsport Fabia Super 2000.

Monday and Tuesday’s tests were held on three different roads in the vast Queen Elizabeth Forest Park complex, located to the west of the town of Callander in Stirlingshire. Persistent rain resulted in wet and muddy conditions.

Cadey, a reporter on the McAulay & Co Show, interviewed members of the ŠKODA UK Motorsport team live on air, before climbing aboard the Fabia S2000 alongside Mikkelsen to experience a ride of his life – on a fast and flowing section of gravel forest track near Loch Vennachar.

“The test went really well, it couldn’t have been better,” said the 22-year-old Mikkelsen. “The roads we used were really good, we did everything we set out to do and we’re very happy. It was also nice to meet Richard. It’s always nice to take someone who has never been in a rally car before for a run down a forest road and see the reaction! He really enjoyed it.”