The Dunoon Presents Argyll Rally is all set to be one of the biggest and best on record, as organisers Mull Car Club unveil the outline plans for the 21 and 22 June event.
Taking place on the closed public roads surrounding the coastal town of Dunoon on the Cowal Peninsula for a fourth year, the popular event has grown from strength to strength since its transition from an all-forest rally in 2021.
Thanks to the backing from Dunoon Presents and local businesses, local and regional Councils, Police forces and authorities, the rally will return in 2024 this summer and has attracted the attention of some of the best championships in the country, all eager to sample the unique stages and renowned local hospitality on offer.
The Asset Alliance Scottish Rally Championship [SRC] will once again bring a wealth of top-line crews to the region as the series uses the Argyll Rally as the final sealed surface event in its impressive calendar of rallies. Having supported the event since its reincarnation in 2017, the SRC offers an impressive array of competitors across the classes.
And in 2024, the Argyll Rally will welcome a British-titled series for the first time in decades as the Fuchs Lubricants British Historic Rally Championship makes the trip to Scotland for the first time. The BHRC is one of the most closely followed championships in the country thanks to its close competition and an impressive array of classic machinery through the 1970s, 80s and 90s.
Returning for a third year is the Protyre National Asphalt Rally Championship which provides some of the best sealed surface drivers in the business, battling it out for the coveted title across the daunting Dunoon lanes. Last year’s rally winner Callum Black went on to win the title overall, and the series is likely to provide the fight for the top positions once again.
As if that wasn’t enough, the Argyll Rally will be a qualifying round of the Scottish Tarmack Rally Championship, the AS Performance North of England Tarmacadam Rally Championship and the HRCR Mini Cup & Category 1 Championship, which are all likely to see a bulging entry list for fans and crews to enjoy.
To ensure the rally remains progressive and fresh, event organisers have also reinvigorated the format of the weekend to provide a new look and feel to the exciting two days of action. Kicking the rally off is the now traditional blast through Dunoon Town Centre on Friday [21 June] which offers a crowd-pleasing opening to the rally as spectators cram into the town to witness the cars through the tricky, three-quarter mile test. The action starts at 19:30 and the stage will once again be run twice in quick succession.
From there, five stages in the surrounding countryside lie ahead, with the longest of the rally, “Oyster Catcher” providing a true sting in the tail to close out the opening leg under the cover of darkness and crews are set to arrive back in Dunoon from just after 22:00 that evening after a total of almost 28 miles of competitive action.
The bulk of the mileage comes on Saturday, with eleven special stages set to challenge even the best drivers, taking the full event itinerary up to 75 stage miles and offering the perfect test of car and crew throughout the weekend. Based once again at Dunoon Stadium, the finish celebrations will take place just before 17:00 on Saturday [22 June] evening.
Clerk of the Course Sam Spencer believes they have created the perfect format to welcome an impressive array of championships to the event.
“We are really pleased to announce a challenging and dynamic weekend of rallying that should provide everyone, from rally fans to competitors a fantastic weekend of motorsport” he says.
“We have worked hard to keep the event fresh and new, whilst retaining many of the aspects that people have enjoyed from previous editions of the rally. We do not doubt that everyone who heads for Dunoon this June will enjoy every moment and it’s a real honour to see top-level championships making their way to the region in 2024. It’s great for the event and the community and I know everyone will embrace the prospect we have ahead. We once again extend our thanks to Dunoon Presents and our supporters, local authorities, and councils for their unwavering support. We look forward to seeing everyone in Dunoon in the Summer.”
More information on the Argyll Rally will be available shortly.
You can keep up to date on the event via their social media feeds on Facebook, Twitter or the website at www.argyllrally.co.uk
[Image Credit Rally Media UK]