It’s late afternoon here in Tobermory as Scrutineering draws to a close ahead of to-night’s start to the 37th Tunnock’s Tour of Mull Rally. Big Roger and his team of Scroots are shoogling wheels and tugging fire extinguishers big time at Tobermory Distillery but most folk have got through.
One of the highlights so far has been the appearance James MacGillivray’s Ralloy built MkII. The black and white beast with its Scholar engine is a thing of beauty and a tremendous credit to Kevin who has spent some 500 hours and more building it. And then he goes and entrusts it to a farmer who is going to fire it over the tarmac of Mull at ungodly speeds.
Despite having retired, Stuart McQueen (28) is back after 4 years: “If you do nothing else, you’ve got to do Mull,” but he did cause the Scroots some head scratching when he revealed his spare wheel tie-drown strap – it was a dog lead … Paul Kirtley (16) is back with a brand new late 99 spec WRC Subaru and the gorgeous blue paint job just glows in the Tobermory sunshine …Tristan Pye (36) has blown the dust off his old N10 because it is tarmac spec as opposed to his forest spec N11 Subaru and Dad is fussing about like a mother hen as usual … Mark Durham (22) only did 7 stages on Mull last year and has done nothing since, too busy looking after young David Bogie at weekends on BTRDA events … John Paterson (33) is limping, after twisting his right knee two weeks ago trying to get the car ready. Now he’s got to get ready. He’s got a doctor’s appointment at 4.30 this afternoon to drain fluid from his knee. I don’t know about that but I do know how to cure water on the brain – a tap on the head … Steven Clark (32) has a Peugeot that’s not quite a S1600 after last minute problems, but at least he made it this year … Mike Storrar’s Anglia (38) still has the Corolla 1600 engine but he’s got a new diff – and a new coat of paint (roller-coated Dulux?) so no expense spared there then … John Marshall’s ‘new’, last of the WRC98 spec, Impreza looked glorious in its red paintwork and this will only be his second event in the car … as for his son Ross Marshall (98), for both him and co-driver Vicky Grant this will be there first ever Mull, what an adventure lies ahead – Oh I wish I was young again … Cameron MacLean (41) was looking pensive, he had to buy more tyres: “I only used one set on the Jim Clark, but the roads up here are so abrasive I need to buy more!” It’s Cameron’s 5th Mull but so far his main claim to fame is that when he slid off the road on the Galloway Hills Rally last year he did so in front of helicopter pilots and spectators, Colin McRae and Murray Grierson. And yes, they did push him out … Paul Daniel’s MkII (49) was built by Ralloy 4 years ago and still looks minted and has a brand new Jondel engine after its blow up on the Jim Clark …
Duggie Ingram’s real Mini (70) looks the business with its Jack Knight 16 valve head and throttle bodies on top of the 1380cc block, but he has a theory. With all that power going through the Quaife LSD and driveshafts, he runs road tyres on the basis that it will spin wheels before it will snap shafts – methinks he’s two teeth short of a full diff himself! … John Rintoul’s (73) secret is out, he’s got new glasses so now he’ll see what he’s been missing all these past years … and here’s a tale to warm the hearts of us all out there. Three years after building a rather rapid Corsa, Mark Constantine (68) was always disappointed by its lack of pace and yet on the rolling road no fault was ever found with the 1400cc engine on throttle bodies. Then three months ago quite by chance he found that the fuel pump was only getting 7.5 volts. New pump, new lease of life, so watch him go tonight … another sight for sore eyes was Ian (Fooey the Fireman) Noble from MacKay’s garage who did a deal with Alan Gardner. Alan said he could use the car if he prepped it, and then he saw the car! Two sills later and some floor welding accomplished, along with some TLC to the greasy bits, Fooey will be out in the MkI (118) tonight. He’ll be worth watching too if his skills driving the Fire Engine on Mull’s roads are any indication – but he won’t have the benefit of a blue flashing light! … Ian Curwen (92) is looking forward to his second run out in the Angus Mathieson built Corsa, he got 2nd in class on the Pendragon … Martin MacLean is on his third Toyota 1600 engine in the Sunbeam after two blow-ups. This latest engine was sourced from a scrappie in Manchester for 250 quid with a month’s guarantee – only thing was he didn’t tell them what he was going to do with it … Donald Brown (89) needs a few more miles on his engine before the start tonight. It was only put in the Sunbeam on Wednesday night … Allan MaKay (116) is lying 2nd in class in the Northern Ireland Championship in his 1600 Anglia: “I’ve had the car 30 years and only been married to the wife for 23, so guess who comes first in our household?” (I hope she’s not reading this on the Internet tonight) … it’s Derek Carless’ (91) 26th Mull and he’s borrowed his son’s Peugeot (again): “I turned 60 last year and still can’t give it up!” … and it will be interesting to see how John Cockburn (62) gets on tonight in a ‘proper’ rally car, a Subaru Impreza, he’s the idiot that did it in a 450 bhp TomCat three years ago and a stripped down, cut out Range Rover last year.
And if you need a cheery story, the Bear Cubs turned up in the Nova (149), Heather MacCrone is on her fourth rally and co-driver Sarah Jayne Daly is on her second. The car was built by 8 youngsters from age 12 to 18 and supervised by Steve Davies. With enthusiasm like this the sport is safe – as long as we can keep the MSA away from it.
And happy birthday to John Easson Scholarship winner Ryan Borthwick, he’s 24 today and easy to spot, the wee Peugeot has got gold coloured numerals (100) on the Tunnock’s door plate … By the way, did you see the helicopter flying low over Tobermory Bay and landing at the Golf Course? That was Linda Brown (148) arriving in style, like something out of a Women’s Lib Milk Tray advert. She had been sitting an exam at Aberdeen University today and it was the only way she could get here on time.
And there’s always one, or in this case two, Elvis and Superman turned up at Scrutineering disguised as Tugs Sherrington and Sam Bould (35). I think it was a ploy to distract the Scrutineers from taking too close a look at the MkII!
And finally, with one stage to go today in Turkey, Gronholm was leading but McRae was fifth. Gaun yersel Colin.
And 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, Tobermory, 4.30 pm, Friday
Gossip
MullMurmurs – Chapter 1
Well, hullawrerrchinasanhowzyertastebudstinglin? Welcome one and all to the 37th running of the annual Tour of Mull Rally and an especially warm welcome to that harbinger of all things scrumptiously tasty, St Tunnock’s of Biscuitry, sponsors of ‘the best rally in the world’.
Things got off to a quietly rowdy start in the Aros Hall last night where a Scotsman, an Englishman, a Welshman and an Irishman gathered together for the pre-rally forum chaired by someone from another nation entirely (but we haven’t found out where), Mr John Fife. First time on the panel James MacGillivray represented the Scots and for someone who’s shy proved remarkably adept at the spoken word. John Cope was there on behalf of the English and determined to go well this year, the most ‘winningest’ man in British rallying and having driven more types of rally car than anyone else, John Price is back for another crack at the one event which has frustrated his trophy cabinet and Denis Biggerstaff is back – just for the craic!
But even before that Rod Brereton was up to his usual tricks on the Wednesday night running a music quiz in the MishNish and raised £275 for the RNLI while another on ‘good works’ duty was Dougi Hall. He cycled the full length of the 22 miler yesterday setting a time of 1 hour 7 minutes 33 seconds and averaging 19.94 mph for the trip – then he cooled down by cycling over the lochs! And the reason, he was being sponsored to raise funds for the bear Cubs, the groups of rallying youngsters that Steve Davies is helping out – and Dougi is still open for donations, it’s a good cause!
And just before the rally gets underway, make sure you get ‘tooled up’ for the weekend, the 2300 Club girls are selling Tunnock’s Tour of Mull gear in the Aros Hall and the fully informative programmes are on sale there too and many shops around the towns and villages. This is essential reading because it contains stage maps and timetables, without which you will see nowt to-night!
But back to the rally, Scrutineering opened for business at Tobermory Distillery where first through was Tony Bardy who has hired a Steve Petch Hyundai WRC machine in place of his Nissan. “It’s an early 50th birthday present to meself” said Tony – about one year early I thought.
John Swinscoe’s Lancer EVO9 looked mean. He brought it in direct from Japan and started prepping it on the 11th of September. Mark Jasper sounds as though he’s well prepared. He and Don Whyatt (2nd time at Mull) drive the stage once to make the Notes and then drove them once to check them! The Metro looks well after its ‘bump’ on Ulster: “I was leading at the time,” said Mark, “and doing 100 and something, then we went off!”
When asked why he had such a huge airbox on top of the Metro V6, John Price said: “It needs a lot of air!” Still, it’s cheaper than petrol I suppose. Next up was the MINI triplets of Daniel Harper, John Cressey and Ian Dawes. The cars have around 270 hp and 6 speed gearboxes built by Minisport. Daniel and John’s cars are the same as last year but Ian and Gary Dawes have forfeited their Astra in favour of the MINI. According to Daniel it’s a “2 Dawes model” (Think about it!).
Ian Colman appeared in his facelifted Nissan. He put it into Tony Bardy’s place for a checkup and they moved the intercooler from the top of the engine to low down at the front. More efficient, but more exposed!
Dave Thwaites has got a new 2.4 Duratec in the MkII in place of the 2 litre Vauxhall. It’s got more power and more torque and a big Atlas, with big diff and big shafts … Chris Tooze is hoping for a better run out on Mull than he had in Ulster. The Corsa shed a wheel 2 miles into the 1st stage … Eddie O’Donnell came through Scrutineering with clean hands! The car has actually been ready since June when he went to do the Donegal, only he didn’t. The cylinder head went porous and he had to withdraw his entry so all he had to do was get the engine rebuilt for Mull … Duggie Ingram’s Mini looks a bit of a handful with its Jack Knight 16 valve head and throttle bodies … and John Rintoul has new glasses, now he’ll actually see what he’s been missing over here all these years! … Dave Taylor is a lucky starter. He got his car pinched out of the garage on Tuesday after thieves played bumper cars with 8 other showroom vehicles to get it out. But it ran out of fuel after 4 miles and the thieves couldn’t get fuel into the WRC spec filler. A lady jogger spotted it behind a hedge and phoned Easson’s garage so they got it back … not so lucky is Billy Bird, the Lancer put a rod through the block last night … Ian Grubb had a fright last night too when the Lancer’s brake pedal went to the floor but an overnight master cylinder change had him back in action this morning.
We didn’t see Neil MacKinnon this morning but we saw his car – he was still in bed, but sone Paul was there with Emma McKinstry’s Lancer. The car is up for sale, but the MacKinnons did a deal with Kenny for two cars on Mull this year. And local hero Calum Duffy was there too. He’s got a new engine in the car. He did Crail late last year and did the Sperrins Rally in Ireland a few months back where he finished 16th overall and 2nd in class so he should be match fit for this weekend.
It was also good to see Dutchman Lex Koevoet back again. He marshalled for the first time on Mull last year and was so taken he’s back for more. He will be marshalling at Ardtun with the BMRMC whose stage starter is none other than Vanessa Bott who is the Chief Start Marshal at Oulton Park. Apparently Oulton Park does a bit in motor sport too!
And finally, Mull does strange things to folk when they first visit and then keep coming back, but few stranger than this. Granite City Clerk of the Course, Gerry Potter and Entries Secretary Rae Osborne got married in Tobermory registry office yesterday morning at 11.00 am witnessed by Doug Weir and Stevie Brown and photographed for posterity by Iain Robertson. Gerry said they did it quietly to save a lot of fuss (I reckon he was saving money!) but if you see a car out there to-night on marshalling duty with steamed up windows, just be careful, it might be the newlyweds! Congratulations from all of us to all of youse.
And finally, finally, the Polis have one of them new fangled see-far-away radar guns that can spot a speeding motorist at a mile! So be careful and be sensible. 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, Tobermory, Noon, Friday
Provisional Leaderboard after SS19 (of 19)
1. James MacGillivray/Ian Fraser (Subaru Impreza) – 2 Hrs 25 Mins 53 Seconds
2. John Cope/Tony Cope (Subaru Impreza WRC) – 2h 28m 07s
3. Denis Biggerstaff/Graham Thomson (Subaru Impreza WRC) – 2h 29m 23s
4. Eddie O'Donnell Jnr/Eddie O'Donnell Snr. (Ford Escort MkII) – 2h 29m 42s
5. Tony Bardy/Reg Smith (Nissan Sunny Gti-R) – 2h 29m 45s
6. Doug Weir/Duncan Brown (Ford Escort MkII) – 2h 35m 23s
7. Lyndon Barton/Johnny Vance (Subaru Impreza WRC) – 2h 36m 11s
8. George MacDonald/Ian Nichol – (Subaru Impreza) – 2h 36m 45s
9. Dave Hopwood/Paul Grattidge (Ford Escort RS) – 2h 37m 07s
10. Iain Grubb/Louise Sutherland (Peugeot 106) – 2h
Provisional Leaderboard after SS16 (of 19)
1. James MacGillivray/Ian Fraser (Subaru Impreza) – 2 Hrs 02 Mins 10 Secs
2. John Cope/Tony Cope (Subaru Impreza WRC) – 2h 03m 49s
3. Eddie O'Donnell Jnr/Eddie O'Donnell Snr. (Ford Esco rt MkII) – 2h 04m 43s
4. Tony Bardy/Reg Smith (Nissan Sunny Gti-R) – 2h 05m 00s
5. Denis Biggerstaff/Graham Thomson (Subaru Impreza WRC) – 2h 06m 31s
6. John Swinscoe/Paula Swinscoe (Mitsubishi Lancer Evo 9) – 2h 05m 53s
7. Lyndon Barton/Johnny Vance (Subaru Impreza WRC) – 2h 09m 34s
8. Doug Weir/Duncan Brown (Ford Escort MkII) – 2h 09m 50s
9. George MacDonald/Ian Nichol – (Subaru Impreza) – 2h 10m 32s
10. Dave Hopwood/Paul Grattidge (Ford Escort RS) – 2h 11m 40s
(( Please note, this leaderboard is VERY provisional, and covers only those timecards received at the time of printing – it could well change.))
Provisional Leaderboard after SS14 (of 19)
1. James MacGillivray/Ian Fraser (Subaru Impreza) – 1Hr 34 Mins 25 Seconds
2. Denis Biggerstaff/Graham Thomson (Subaru Impreza WRC) – 1h 36m 07s
3. Eddie O'Donnell Jnr/Eddie O'Donnell Snr. (Ford Escort MkII) – 1h 36m 18s
4. John Cope/Tony Cope (Subaru Impreza WRC) – 1h 36m 27s
5. Tony Bardy/Reg Smith (Nissan Sunny Gti-R) – 1h 36m 48s
6. John Swinscoe/Paula Swinscoe (Mitsubishi Lancer Evo 9) – 1h 38m 18s
7. Dave Hopwood/Paul Grattidge (Ford Escort RS) – 1h 38m 22s
8. Pat Johnson/Graham Harper (Subaru Impreza) – 1h 39m 24s
9. Lyndon Barton/Johnny Vance (Subaru Impreza WRC) – 1h 40m 06s
10. George MacDonald/Ian Nichol – (Subaru Impreza) 1h 40m 28s
(( Please note, this leaderboard is VERY provisional, and covers only those timecards received at the time of printing – it could well change.))
Provisional Leaderboard after SS12 (of 19)
1. James MacGillivray/Ian Fraser (Subaru Impreza) – 1Hr 24 Mins 29 Seconds
2. Eddie O'Donnell Jnr/Eddie O'Donnell Snr. (Ford Escort MkII) – 1h 26m 04s
3. Denis Biggerstaff/Graham Thomson (Subaru Impreza WRC) – 1h 26m 05s
4. John Cope/Tony Cope (Subaru Impreza WRC) – 1h 26m 17s
5. Tony Bardy/Reg Smith (Nissan Sunny Gti-R) – 1h 26m 50s
6. Dave Hopwood/Paul Grattidge (Ford Escort RS) – 1h 27m 54s
7. John Swinscoe/Paula Swinscoe (Mitsubishi Lancer Evo 9) – 1h 27m 56s
8. Pat Johnson/Graham Harper (Subaru Impreza) – 1h 28m 58s
9. Lyndon Barton/Johnny Vance (Subaru Impreza WRC) – 1h 29m 27s
10. George MacDonald/Ian Nichol – 1h 29m 46s
(( Please note, this leaderboard is VERY provisional, and covers only those timecards received at the time of printing – it could well change.))
Provisional Leaderboard after SS7 (of 19)
1. James MacGillivray/Ian Fraser (Subaru Impreza) – 49 Mins 22 Seconds
2. Eddie O'Donnell Jnr/Eddie O'Donnell Snr. (Ford Escort MkII) – 51m 18s
3. Denis Biggerstaff/Graham Thomson (Subaru Impreza WRC) – 51m 39s
4. Tony Bardy/Reg Smith (Nissan Sunny Gti-R) – 51m 51s
5. John Cope/Tony Cope (Subaru Impreza WRC) – 51m 58s
6. Mark Durham/Andy Mort (Mitsubishi Lancer EVO5) – 52m 01s
7. John Swinscoe/Paula Swinscoe (Mitsubishi Lancer Evo 9) – 52m 03s
8. Doug Weir/Duncan Brown (Ford Escort MkII) – 52m 16s
9. Pat Johnson/Graham Harper (Subaru Impreza) – 52m 40s
10. Dave Hopwood/aul Grattidge (Ford Escort RS) – 52m 54s
(( Please note, this leaderboard is VERY provisional, and covers only those timecards received at the time of printing – it could well change.))
Provisional Leaderboard after SS2 (of 19)
1. Dave Miller/Andy Bailey (Subaru Impreza) - 20 Mins 56 Secs
2. James MacGillivray/Ian Fraser (Subaru Impreza) - 20m 58s
3. Eddie O'Donnell Jnr/Eddie O'Donnell Snr. (Ford Escort MkII) – 21m 26s
4. Doug Weir/Duncan Brown (Ford Escort MkII) – 21m 40s
5. Billy Bird/Plug Pulleyn (Mitsubishi Lancer Evo 6) – 21m 41s
6.Denis Biggerstaff/Graham Thomson (Subaru Impreza WRC) – 21m 55s
7. Alex Taylor/Kim Baker (Subaru Impreza) – 21m 56s
8. John Swinscoe/Paula Swinscoe (Mitsubishi Lancer Evo 9) – 22m 03s
9. Willie Bonniwell/Kevin Rae (Ford Escort MkII) – 22m 04s
10. George MacDonald/Ian Nichol (Subaru Impreza) – 22m 08s
(( Please note, this leaderboard is VERY provisional, and covers only those timecards received at the time of printing – it could well change.))
The Scrutinatorising is almost over for this year with folk starting to get excited ahead of to-night. But a word of caution to all would-be spectators, please do as the Marshals advise and instruct, not only for your own personal safety but to ensure the safe running of the rally. So pick your spot carefully, park sensibly and get there in plenty of time. And make sure you’ve got a programme so you know who you are watching!
On that very point, you won’t mistake car 45. It’s a Darrian. It’s got a 2.5 Mill ington in it (to those in the know, no explanation needed – to those who don’t, stand well clear, this thing should have a blue touch paper and a government warning!). And it’s also Ashley Field’s first time on the island with it. So what do I think? Tupperware boxes should be used for keeping sandwiches, not for sticking big engines in and driving them!
Well, let’s start with the good news. Colin Johnstone and Gilda got married at Tobermory Registry Office this morning. Apparently it was a snap decision and allegedly, Colin was (relatively) sober at the time. Now they will go on honeymoon, servicing for Jim McDowall (92) - so who’s idea was that? Congratulations to you both, from all of us on Mull, and if you see two pairs of legs sticking out from under a rally car this evening - stay well clear!