MSA report on the Border Hill Rally

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Just to let you all know.

I have today received a letter from David Swinton, the MSA Steward for the Borders Hill Rally.

From which I quote:

You asked me to let you have a copy of my report on the hill rally. Unfortunately I have had major IT problems and seem to have lost a number of files one of which is my Motor Sport file in which I keep (kept) all my reports.

I do however remember much of what I said

'I had the pleasure of commending the organisation for the way in which the event was run, commenting on the way in which everyone seemed to know and understand exactly what was required, and when. I made exceptional comment on the team that worked so hard to make the access road passable on the Sunday morning.'

I had a memorable weekend and hope that I will have the chance to experience hill rallies in the future.

My best wishes to you and all the team

David Swinton

Personally I think it was very kind of him to take the time and effort to send the letter, as most wouldn't nowadays.

I would like to thank everyone who was involved in the event, the reports that I have had back form a number of competitors and through the 'grapevine' is that it was 'an absolutely fantastic event', 'best event for a long time'

So well done to all. Please pass thanks to everyone else involved.

Andy Mills, Clerk of Course
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SCCC 2009

We've had a meeting to discuss the 2009 regs for the Championship.

All sorted bar two items:

1) I want to double-check that the definition for the classes matches that used by the Hill Rally (and also check against the regs used in the BCCC), and
2) I can't get the list of clubs I want to invite quite right: 5 regional associations doesn't cover the clubs I want to invite. Gonna pass the buck on this one, I think: let someone else have the headache :)

Peter Ingram, RIP

On the evening of Tuesday 25th November, 2008, Peter Ingram died as a result of complications with his MS.
He was a good, and true, friend... and will be missed by many.

The future of Hill Rallies

People have been concerned about the future of Hill Rallies in Scotland - indeed, I've been hearing that there have been some people going around proclaiming they are actually dead already.

Well, from a purely selfish point of view, Hill Rallies need to be kept alive in scotland:
If there is no Hill Rally, why should people spend tens of thousands of pounds buying the likes of WildCats or ProTrucks?

Ignoring the Hill Rally, which we are postulating as dead, there are basically 4 groups running off-road speed events, as far as I can tell: AWDC (which doesn't really come north of about Manchester); BCCC (which has, erm... Zero scottish entries, and a token event north of the border); NORC (who are also mostly south-ish); and SCCC (ie, the events I run.) Now, AWDC, NORC, SCCC & BCCC all run comp safari events: going round a single circuit lots of times. BCCC are the best for this, as they tend to have 10-mile circuits rather than 3-milers... but BCCC is also Nat A, so is not a club-level event.

So - for Scottish drivers, there are the 3-miler Comp Safari events (7 a year, mostly central belt or southern Scotland)... all run to a 30mph max average, all in the 3-miler category, all sub £50 to enter.

For Scottish competitors to have a challenge, to have a reason to go on from the SCCC, we need Hill Rallies: They need something that is more than 3 miles; more than 30mph max ave; and more than driving round in circles on your own... nice as BCCC is, you can do it as a single driver... there's no TEAMWORK!

That event would be the Hill Rally.

Likewise, the Hill Rally needs the SCCC: where-else will the future entrants come from? Where else will future marshal & senior officials come from?

No - for either to survive, they need each other.
Trying to promote anything else is just shooting yourself in the foot.

Borders Hill Rally countdown

Well, two days before I head down to run the setup for the borders hill rally.

I don't know why, but this year it's more stressful than ever before: there have been a number of times when I've had to mediate between disgruntled factions; sort out things that others should take on; and worry about tasks that are someone else's responsibility.

This event will run, and I really really don't want it to be the last hill rally we ever run... but I can see a number of teddies being thrown at the de-brief meeting.

Such is life.....

Borders is back on!

The Borders Hill Rally is back on!

A reduced mileage and a reduced cost.... but it's on!

£385 for ~75 miles.
£45 for !WARM! bunkhouse accommodation, £35 for a caravan/tent, with access to the commonrooms, kitchens & showers.)

SCCC, Round 7 - Galashiels

This is the final event of the season, and with less that ten points seperating the top five drivers, the championship is still to play for!

Number two, Brian Hilditch, is not expected to enter, having totalled his engine in August, and hard-charging Johnny Drysdale in his big 110 has been steadily improving event on event. Malc Millar, absolutely flying in his diesel 90, may not make a podium finish for the championship, but he has definitely shaken a few drivers out of their complacency.

The ASRs for the event are here

The SSRs for the event are, as ever, here