MOTORSPORT fans have a new competition to put in their diaries – the Coast2Coast Rally that will take place on May 6-7.
Based around the Stranraer area, it will differ from many other rallies held in Scotland because the competitive stages will take place on sections of closed public roads.
The Coast2Coast is the brainchild of Mull of Galloway farmer and amateur rally driver Jim Sharp, who has driven the roads countless times over the years and has often thought they would be ideally suited to the sport.
A long-time member of Machars Car Club, he raised the subject when the Scottish Government passed a law that eased the process of allowing such events to be held on closed public roads.
Jim’s local knowledge and contacts network provided the ideal platform for the club to seriously consider such an idea.
Originally scheduled for its debut in 2020, the Covid crisis scuppered the plan but work has continued behind the scenes, enabling the event to go ahead in May.
The idea has already generated wide support from local communities and businesses, such as Donnan Construction and SVM Port Services, as well as Dumfries & Galloway Council, the Stranraer Development Trust and Police Scotland.
One of the enthusiastic backers, Neil Fisher, of Tigh Na Mara Hotel, in Sandhead, said: “The arrival of an event like this should be great for local business.
“It will bring new people to the south-west corner of Scotland and introduce them to the South West Coastal 300 – a 300-mile tour around the best that the area has to offer.”
Meanwhile, Knockhill circuit’s Gordon Shedden has confirmed he will once again be competing in the British Touring Car Championship.
The three-time BTCC title-holder will be at the wheel of a rebuilt and re-engineered Team Dynamics Honda Civic Type R to tackle the launch of the contest’s new hybrid era.
Shedden said: “This is mega for me. I’ll be all guns blazing this year to get that elusive and record-equalling fourth title.
“The boys have been working their socks off during the off-season to give the team cars that will be super competitive, so we need to go out there now and repay their hard work.”
Dalkeith’s Aiden Moffat and Glaswegian Dexter Patterson have already been confirmed for Laser Tools Racing in the series and Knockhill’s Rory Butcher is also set to return to the BTCC with Toyota Gazoo Racing.
This weekend will see a number of Scots compete in Dubai in the first two of four races in the Asian Le Mans Series.
Experienced endurance campaigner Colin Noble, from Midlothian, will once again partner Tony Wells in a Nielsen Racing Ligier JS P320 in the LMP3 class.
Motherwell’s John Loggie will be part of an SPS Automotive Performance Mercedes-AMG GT3 crew, while Dundonian Finlay Hutchison is part of the Attempto Racing Audi R8 LMS GT3 EVO2 squad.
And Kirkcaldy’s Jonny Adam is back at the familiar wheel of an Aston Martin Vantage AMR GT3 for TF Sport.
Last weekend, Perth 15-year-old Chloe Grant picked up two honours at the British Women Racing Drivers Club awards dinner in Warwickshire for her efforts in 2021.
She came third in the BWRDC Racing Championship for the Goodwin Trophies and won the Anita Taylor Trophy for the Best Performance in a Saloon Car. Chloe was presented with her awards by club president Lorina McLaughlin.
