13 August, 2024
The Voyonic Grampian Forest Rally inspired all generations to be positive about motorsport.
This year’s Voyonic Grampian Forest Rally will be remembered not only for being an adrenaline-charged two-day event, full of incidents and intense competition between some of the country’s leading competitors, but also an event that took rallying to the heart of the community in Banchory, to bring inspiration to all generations to be positive about motorsport.
The new rally zone located in the centre of Banchory proved an instant hit, as fans flocked in the sunshine to see the competitors and cars close up. Thousands turned up to meet their heroes and learn more about the sport of rallying, bringing motorsport to the masses with live interviews and podium celebrations on Saturday evening.
The service park at Milton of Crathes also welcomed the public, with hundreds more spectators mingling with millions of pounds worth of machinery and watching the action on the big screens.
The rally zone purposefully sought to promote the sport to the next generation of competitors, with a strong presence from the Junior Ecosse 100 championship who were displaying cars, and activities such as rally car painting and even a navigational hunt using roadbook directions, to encourage the next generation to get involved.
Carbon Positive Motorsport director Paul Glass commented, "I was really impressed by the event this year. It was a great new two-day format, combining superb stages and intense competition. Full credit to the organisers for making the event so engaging, not only with the local community, but with the next generation of future competitors. That’s really what our partnership with the Voyonic Grampian Forest Rally is all about – helping to make our sport and the environment sustainable for future generations to enjoy."
Chris Ingram and Alex Kihurani secured a well-earned victory on the event, after a memorable battle in the Kincardineshire forests. The Toyota GR Yaris Rally2 pairing beat Osian Pryce/Rhodri Evans by just nine seconds with 2022 Grampian winners Keith Cronin/Mikie Galvin finishing third, both crews in a Fiesta Rally2.
Organised by Stonehaven & District Motor Club, this year's Grampian was the biggest in years, with the addition of two special stages on Friday evening as well as rally action on Saturday, presenting competitors with nine stages and 57 competitive miles on some of the fastest and most challenging roads in the country in the Durris, Drumtochty and Fetteresso forests.
Event winner Chris Ingram was super-impressed with what he saw. "This has been one of the most difficult yet enjoyable rallies I've done in the country," Ingram, the 2019 FIA European Rally champion, said. "Fair play to Osian and William [Creighton], they had some strong pace. These stages were really great to drive and it was fantastic to see so many people supporting the event."
M-Sport WRC2 driver William Creighton was the fastest man on the opening test, but it was 2022 British champion Pryce who held the overnight lead on Friday.
But as punctures beset Creighton and a spin undid Pryce's victory bid, Ingram sailed through to record a first ever victory for the Toyota GR Yaris Rally2 in the British Rally Championship.
In the Asset Alliance Group Scottish Rally Championship, Euan Thorburn made history as he became a four-time Scottish champion with victory in his Volkswagen Polo GTI R5. He fended off Scott Beattie, who drove superbly in a Ford Fiesta R5 ahead of Hugh Brunton who took third in the SRC behind the wheel of his Skoda Fabia Rally2 EVO.
The Grampian also celebrated a legend, as five-time British Rally champion, and father of 1995 World Rally champion Colin, Jimmy McRae chose the event to mark his half-century in rallying.
Rally fans of all ages were treated to the sight of Jimmy McRae returning to the stages in Car 50, a 50-year-old Escort Mk 1 – the same model of car that started his competition career. Spectators of all ages turned out in huge numbers to witness the legend driving, and were left in no doubts that this appearance was no leisurely demonstration run! Co-driven by Gail Whyte, Jimmy took to the stages at full speed, showcasing his trademark smooth and precise driving style, and ending the event as the well-deserved winner in the national class.
Television highlights of all the action will be broadcast on ITV4 at 8pm on Wednesday August 21, and then available to catch-up on ITVX thereafter.
To offset your carbon emissions like the Voyonic Grampian Forest Rally competitors, visit carbonpositivemotorsport.com
British Rally Championship Voyonic Grampian Rally 2024
Top Ten Results
1. Chris Ingram /Alexander Kihurani Toyota GR Yaris Rally2 51:43.6
2. Osian Pryce / Rhodri Evans Ford Fiesta Rally2 51:52.6 +9.0
3. Keith Cronin / Mikie Galvin Ford Fiesta Rally2 52:12.3 +28.7
4. William Creighton / Liam Regan Ford Fiesta Rally2 52:31.6 +48.0
5. Jonny Greer / Niall Burns Niall Citroën C3 Rally2 53:27.1 +1:43.5
6. Meirion Evans / Jonathan Jackson Toyota GR Yaris Rally2 53:30.4 +1:46.8
7. Garry Pearson Garry / Daniel Barritt Ford Fiesta Rally2 53:45.4 +2:01.8
8. Max McRae / Cameron Fair Ford Fiesta Rally2 54:11.0 +2:27.4
9. Daniel O'Brien / Martin Brady Ford Fiesta Rally2 57:53.1 +6:09.5
10. Neil Roskell / Dai Roberts Dai Ford Fiesta Rally2 58:07.4 +6:23.8
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