Stand by for MACH1 at the MACC

Machrihanish Airbase Community Company plays host to the annual treat for motorsport fans

Here comes a weekend for all motorsport fans to enjoy whether driving, helping to organise, or simply turning up to enjoy the theatre and thrill of it all.

MACH1 Stages is a counting round of the Scottish Tarmack Rally Championship, in association with The Cobble Shop, which will be held over the weekend of July 13 and 14.

On offer to the competitors are 12 stages comprising 95 stage miles over two days in one of motorsport’s most stunning locations.

And the event offers spectators the chance to see some of the best that the sport has to offer in Scotland today.

As Colin Harkness, clerk of course, has said about the seeding: ‘With every event seeding is a challenge and this year’s MACH 1 is certainly the biggest challenge yet. We have 22 cars that could easily fit in top 10 and 35 that would easily sit in top 20.’

The seeding and final instructions for drivers will be issued by email on Sunday.

MACH1 is in the capable hands of Dunfermline Car Club which also hosts its own stages in March, at Ingliston, Edinburgh; the MACH1 Stages are sponsored by The Cobble Shop.

Davie Hatrick, events coordinator, told The Courier: ‘We have a friendly bunch of officials, marshals and scrutineers who, along with Machrihanish Airbase Community Company [MACC] and the local community, are proud to support this sixth running of the event.’

He added: ‘MACH1 Stages is popular with drivers who have their eyes on Mull or the Jim Clark and would like to test their cars, or need some seat time or miles under their belts.’

Scrutineering and documentation opens on Friday from 4pm to 7pm and on Saturday from 8.30am until 11am. Spectators are more than welcome to go along to the scrutineering, which is at the air base on the Friday evening free of charge, where they can get up close to the cars which are undergoing the event checks.

Stage 1 starts at 11am on Saturday and runs until approximately 6pm and Sunday starts at 8am and runs until around 1pm, with the awards being presented approximately 2pm-2.30pm.

Spectators are welcome and this year the gates will open at 9am on Saturday and 7am on Sunday – spectator costs are £5 per person and under-16s go free.

Access for spectators will be via the West Park Fergus gate just off the Machrihanish Road; follow the green arrows. Please remember to follow all safety instructions from marshals at all times.

One thing that makes MACH1 popular with competitors, volunteers and spectators alike is the catering, thanks to Argyll Bakeries and Coast Coffee.

Davie added: ‘We have fantastic catering from Argyll Bakeries on the Saturday and the Sunday as well as the-ever popular carvery on the Saturday evening in the former officers’ mess where there’s also a bar and plenty of seating, giving everyone the chance to relax and chat to all the teams ahead of the final day. Spectators are more than welcome to attend.’

The carvery costs £8.50 per person and is open from 6pm and the bar will be open until late.

The sport is run by volunteers and Fergus Gray, president of the Dunfermline Car Club, summed it up on behalf of members: ‘A huge vote of thanks to the residents, businesses and all those within Kintyre who have given us their enthusiastic support and assistance to enable us to organise this event.’

See the Dunfermline Car Club website for more information: http://www. dunfermlinecarclub.co.uk