Beatson’s Mull Motor Sports Fest recaptures ‘The Spirit of 88’

Motor sport magic on the traditional Mull Rally weekend, October 13-15, with the Beatson’s Targa Rally and Mornish Rally Time Trial

MULL Rally weekend has a special place in Scotland’s motor sport calendar and in the hearts of competitors, spectators and islanders.

Following the unfortunate and unavoidable cancellation of this year’s Mull Rally, the organisers worked hard to provide an alternative event to whet the appetites of would-be Mull Rally competitors. The result is the Beatson’s Targa Rally and Rally Time Trial and the competitors have turned out in force to take part.

The weekend of October 13-15 promises to be special, like the year of 1988 was, hence this year’s ‘Spirit of 88’ theme. It was then, at very short notice, Mull Car Club Ltd put on the ‘Mull Extra’, a short two-leg stage rally that passed into the pages of Scottish motor sport history. The Guardians of the Mull Rally came together after the 2300 Club decided to pull out of organising the event in 2010, to keep one of the main events on the island going. The Guardians, with the help of many other people along the way, have managed to make it bigger and better every year. But this year they were given the news there was an insurance issue which a lawyer picked out of the Act of Parliament relating to the fatal accident at the Jim Clark Rally, which runs on a similar closed-road format as Mull.

The Guardians and everyone associated with the Mull Rally want to thank Beatson’s Building Supplies for their continued support this year for the Motor Sports Fest. Beatson’s Targa Road Rally and Historic Road Rally, Friday October 13 A Targa road rally is restricted to road cars and road tyres and competitive sections have a maximum average speed of 30 mph, making it suitable for newcomers and families. Once on the public roads, the cars travel with the general traffic flow.

The driver needs to be 17

years or older with a full driving licence and the navigator must be over 12.

The competitive sections form either Special Tests comprising tight and twisty routes, where the competitor endeavours to set their fastest time or Regularity Tests, where the competitor attempts to maintain a specified average speed. The event begins at 10am and competitive sections are planned to take place on various private properties across the island. Check www.mullrally.org and its facebook page for further information and see signs and notice boards on the day for spectator advice.

‘We have a good field with some very interesting cars and crews. We hope they all enjoy the competition and the Hebridean welcome,’ said Donald Brown, who chairs the Guardians of Mull Rally. The entries include a 1961 Ford Anglia 105E; a 1966 Austin Mini Cooper, a 1963 Ford Consul Lotus Cortina and plenty of Ford Escort action. ‘Ford Escorts have a strong heritage on Mull,’ said Donald. Beatson’s Mornish Rally Time Trial Saturday October 14 Beatson’s Building Supplies Mornish Rally Time Trial is a unique, gravel rally time trial with co-drivers.

The never-before-used 3.1 mile forest-stage course, has outstanding views of the Outer Hebrides to the west. This is a sprint competition open to stageprepared rally cars as you would see on the Mull Rally. There are two spectator areas on the stage with plenty of parking at both ends.

Cars will have a driver and codriver and a car can be used by more than one crew. The event will have a low-speed recce run for familiarisation and then have timed runs, nominally four but perhaps six if time allows. The best time of the day wins. The cars return to the paddock at low-speed along the public road. A rally time trial is particularly good for spectators, who will be able to see each car four to six times without having to move.

SOCIAL

Mull is always buzzing during the rally weekend with a fantastic atmosphere. The marquee on Tobermory car park is the place to be on Friday for a race night, doors open at 7.30pm and on Saturday for the prize-giving and a ceilidh with Ireland’s Sharon Shannon band and Beinn Lee band. Tickets £10, everyone

welcome.