Moray rally aces conquer the Snowman

TREACHEROUS conditions at Saturday’s Snowman Rally proved no obstacle for a number of Moray competitors who completed the event. Kicking up the 'stour' during a forest section of last year's rally is Calum McKenzie.

Eventual winner, triple Scottish champion David Bogie, described the blizzard conditions in Highland as the worst he had ever competed in.

Despite this, Drummuir driver Alex Pirie won the Class 2 category and came in 35th overall, accompanies by his co-driver David Law in a Vauxhall Corsa.

Forres navigator Ian Arbuthnott teamed up with Inverness driver Steven Ronaldson (Subaru Impreza) to gain an impressive seventh finish, while Speyside co-driver Michael Hendry (Archiestown) helped Glasgow’s Graeme Schoneville home in 19th place, claiming the Class 4 title in the process with their Honda Civic.

Elgin pair Brian Ross and Sean Donnelly mastered the conditions to take their Lancer Evo 5 through in 22nd position, while an Evo 3 driven by Billy Miller (Buckie) and navigated by Ian Imlach reached the finish line in 28th.

Elgin teenager Daniel Forsyth co-drove for Beauly’s Charlie Bell in a Ford Escort Mk 2, claiming 37th spot and fourth in class. One place behind was Elgin duo Mike Grant and Graham Kelman.

The conditions did get the better of Mosstodloch team Stephen Baillie and Darren McDonald, who were forced to retire after going off road in stage 4.

The afternoon stages saw more than six inches of snow lying on stages, making the rally live up to its name.

See Friday’s Northern Scot for more news on the Snowman Rally.