Hunterbecomeshunted

Albar Trophy Rally

Organiser: East Ayrshire Car Club When: September 23 Where: Kames Motorsport Complex, East Ayrshire Championships: Ecosse Challenge Stages: 16 Starters: 21

Ollie Hunter scored a surprise last-stage victory and carried off the top points at the penultimate round of the Junior 1000 Ecosse Challenge at Kames Motorsport complex in Ayrshire.

However, the youngster’s late season turn of pace has come too late to fight for the title. That will be decided at the final round of the series at Cadwell Park in five weeks’ time between two drivers, Lewis Haining and Johnnie Mackay.

Winner last time out, the on-form Haining led the field after eight of the day’s 16 special stages but failed to shake off Hunter who was only two seconds behind at the lunch halt. Over the second half of the rally, the two were all but inseparable with Hunter refusing to give up the chase. His determination paid off with a one second victory over Haining as the pair went into the last stage tied on times.

Andrew Blackwood needed a win to put himself back into contention for the title, but an overshoot on the second stage cost him dear. He dropped 10 seconds to the leaders and spent the rest of the day trying to claw it back. He just managed to squeeze championship leader Mackay out of third place by the finish.

For his part Mackay felt he drove well and was genuinely puzzled by his Suzuki’s inability to match the pace of the Peugeot, Skoda and Citroen ahead of him. That means he has to finish ahead of Haining at the final round to claim the Scottish crown.

In the supporting ‘senior’ event, Colin Gemmell dominated a sparse entry, finishing over a minute clear of Graham Bruce, although sixth-placed Cameron Davies impressed many with his silent progress in the electric Renault Zoe.