The Grampian Rally was held on the outskirts of Aberdeen at the rural town of Banchory. 94 cars started the event with Pearson/Bowen debuting together and Pearson making a rallying return after several months out after a broken leg and severe accident earlier in the year. The duo started Stage 1 Feteresso minded that a finish was required after a difficult start to 2018. However, they surprised followers with a 3rd quickest overall stage time 3 seconds behind championship rival Jock Armstrong. Onto Stage 2 ‘Scarehill’ and the pair struggled in the faster section with confidence in the pacenotes. Dale Bowen commented ‘It was a difficult stage; Garry and I were gelling together and some of the faster corners we just couldn’t get the rhythm right’.
Stage 3 & 4 was a repeat of the Durris Stage, managing respectable times Pearson set 2nd and 3rd overall times the team came to the mid-day service 3rd overall 20 seconds off the lead and only 4 seconds behind 2nd overall SRC crew Freddie Milne.
Pearson knew the lack of seat time was making the day more difficult ‘I expected to be off the pace this morning but Jock took 16 seconds off of us in stage 2 and that was difficult for us to take, we’re looking to increase the speed slightly this afternoon but the aim has to be to finish the event.
After the service break the crews headed into ‘Drumtochty’ a 10.57mile stage, the pair set a 2nd overall time right behind Jock Armstrong by 2 seconds. A hugely confidence boosting stage but only managing to match the time of Freddie Milne which resulted in still being 4 seconds behind 2nd overall.
The team decided all was not lost however and put a staggering time in on the final stage through Hurlie Bog taking a whopping 7 seconds off of Milne and clinching 2nd overall on the event in the Scottish Rally Championship! The crew finishing only 16 seconds behind SRC winners Armstrong/Fair on a return to the Scottish Championship and debut on the championship for Dale. Pearson commented ‘It’s great to be back, what a day! Difficult morning for us this morning where I really struggled to be confident after our accident in April. As the day went on our times came stronger and we increased the pace dramatically which is encouraging for the future. Thank you to our Sponsors for making this happen’
1 | 2 | G. PEARSON FORD |
11 | 2 | 7:44 | +0:01 (+0:01) |
1 | 1 | J. ARMSTRONG SUBARU |
10 | 1 | 42:26 | 42:26 | +0:56 (+0:56) |
|
2 | 4 | D. MACDONALD FORD |
11 | 3 | 7:48 | +0:05 (+0:04) |
2 | 2 | G. PEARSON FORD |
11 | 2 | 42:41 | 42:41 | +1:11 (+0:15) |
|
3 | 1 | J. ARMSTRONG SUBARU |
10 | 1 | 7:51 | +0:08 (+0:03) |
3 | 6 | F. MILNE SUBARU |
10 | 2 | 42:44 | 42:44 | +1:14 (+0:03) |
|
= | 6 | F. MILNE SUBARU |
10 | 1= | 7:51 | +0:08 (**:**) |
4 | 3 | A. GALLACHER FORD |
11 | 3 | 43:31 | 43:31 | +2:01 (+0:47) |
Once again thank you, as always, to all our kind sponsors. Our next event is scheduled on Saturday the 8th of September 2018 which is the Galloway Hills Rally in Castle Douglas. Should anybody want to come along for a test run in the car please get in touch with Garry in advance it will be a shakedown run on the Friday 7th September.