Ron Cowan’s Photos from the Andy Mort Tour

Leading Cars’ Times after SS2 (of 19)

1 Neil MacKinnon/Mike Stayte (Subaru Impreza WRC) 19 Minutes 52 Seconds
2 John Cope/Tony Cope (Subaru Impreza WRC) 20m 18s
3 Calum Duffy/Iain Duffy (Ford Escort Mk2) 20m 21s
4 Dougi Hall/Allan MacDougall (Mitsubishi Lancer Evo 8) 20m 33s
5 John Price/Caroline Price (MG Metro 6R4) 21m 11s
6 James MacGillivray/Ian Fraser (Ford Escort Mk2) 21m 15s
7 Denis Biggerstaff/Graham Thomson (Subaru Impreza WRC) 21m 20s
8 Tony Bardy/Reg Smith (Hyundai Accent WRC) 22m 26s

(Please Note: These are not ‘Results’ it’s just the leading cars’ times after the first two stages, other cars running later may set faster times, but at least this gives you something to go on!)

The 37th carmelicious Tunnock’s Tour of Mull Rally got underway in Tobermory tonight with the usual noise and colour bringing life to the deepening dusk, and it wasn’t long before the tales started emanating from the darkening Mull roads.

Calum Duffy was first car into the Control at Salen: “Steady away, did the same time as the white car last year on Mishnish so that’s a good start,” said Calum … James MacGillivray hasn’t got too much confidence in the car at the moment: “It’s a bit skippy at the back” … NeilMacKinnon admitted that “he missed a few gears” … John Cope was smiling: “Game on, I was only 6 seconds down on the first one and I think I was on the pace in the second” … Dougi Hall is avoiding the rocks – and the ditches! … Tony Bardy stalled 3 times on the start line of SS1, first time out in the Hyundai, but got clean away on SS2 and admitted: “I haven’t got the b*lls to hold it flat out when I get it in 6th!”  … Denis Biggerstaff said: “I’m here but not very fast” … Eddie O’Donnell is having a torrid time already with a misfire on the first half of each stage and then it clears for the second … John Swinscoe said “I’m here, I’m over the moon – but not very graceful.”

Looks like the first casualty of the night is Steven Clark (32) who is reported stopped in the middle of the first stage, but the ‘OK’ board is out … Daniel Harper reported off at the end of SS2 but back on minus a wheel!

Proving that sportsmanship is not dead, when Mark Durham (22) was on his way in to Tobermory from Dervaig this morning for Scrutineering, he broke his Lancer’s diff. With no spare he was out of tbhe rally, till Giles Phillips (82) lent Mark his spare, so he now has no spare either. Nice one Giles!

And finally, at the end of Day 1 in Turkey, Marcus Gronholm leads the world series counter with Colin McRae in seventh place.

And finally, finally, yet another reminder, if you are going out spectating tonight please make sure you know what the Road Closure times are (in the programme) and get there early. Park sensibly, well clear of the road, and bring your litter back for proper disposal. And if you hear a siren and see flashing lights just ahead of the rally to-night that could be Bulletin Bill with the MullMurmurs, so look out and be ready!

Yer auld pal, Jaggy Bunnet, Salen Hotel, 9.30 pm, Friday