The countdown is on for one of the UK’s most exhilarating motorsport events, as the Dunoon Presents Argyll Rally is set to take place next weekend [20–21 June], with two days of spectacular closed-road action across the Cowal Peninsula.

Bringing some of Britain’s premier rally championships to the regions, over 100 of the country’s fastest drivers head to the region for the prestigious annual motorsport event.

Steeped in history, which stems back to the 1970s, the event is now in its fifth year on the closed public roads of Argyll and Bute, and the rally continues to grow in stature and scale. This year’s event boasts a revitalised route, combining fan-favourite stages with exciting new additions that will test both car and crew. With over 66 miles across 16 special stages, the 2025 edition will raise the bar for UK closed-road rallying.

Thanks to the steadfast support of Dunoon Presents, along with regional authorities and local businesses, the rally continues to thrive, not just as a motorsport spectacle but as a major community event. Once again hosted by Mull Car Club, the rally maintains its strong standing across national championships and is a cornerstone fixture on the UK rallying calendar.

The 2025 rally will welcome back an array of top-tier championships, bringing an incredibly diverse and competitive entry list to Dunoon. Contenders from the Asset Alliance Group Scottish Rally Championship (SRC), Protyre Motorsport UK Asphalt Rally Championship (Protyre), and the Fuchs Lubricants British Historic Rally Championship (BHRC) will provide some top-level action.

The Scottish Tarmack Rally Championship, AS Performance North of England Tarmacadam Rally Championship, HRCR Mini Cup & Category 1 Championship and West Wales Rally Spares HRCR Stage Masters Challenge all make this a truly multi-disciplinary contest.

Top contenders include Euan Thorburn/Paul Beaton, runners-up here last year in their Volkswagen Polo GTi R5. They currently lie third in the Scottish Rally Championship standings, and with several regulars away, they could well take the lead after the weekend.

Jason Pritchard/Phil Clarke bring their stunning brand-new Toyota GR Yaris Rally2 to the event for the first time and are aiming for a strong debut on Argyll’s tarmac to increase their Asphalt series lead, whilst Sam Touzel/Max Freeman are hungry for a maiden Protyre win in their Ford Fiesta Rally2.

Running as high as third overall last year, Hugh Hunter/Rob Fagg return in a Fiesta Rally2 but aim to make it to the finish this time around and Rory Young brings his Polo GTi back to the event with Jamie Edwards in the co-driver’s seat.

Hugh Brunton/Drew Sturrock pick up their SRC campaign in their Skoda Fabia Rally2 and will be hoping to do better than their sixth-place last year in Dunoon.

In the British Historic charge, David Crossen/Ben Teggart [Escort MK2] will be aiming for a second win this season, but has the likes of the rapid Will Rowlands /Emyr Hall [Escort MK2] to contend with.

Local interest comes from a trio of Dunoon-based drivers, including Steve Smith who will hustle his Ford Escort MKII through the lanes, whilst Matthew Youden/Ross Bell bring their Citroen Saxo.

The 2023 rally was the very first event for husband-and-wife team David and Jenny Robertson, and they will return for a third attempt, this time in a Ford Fiesta, making it three different cars on each occasion for the pair.

The rally kicks off in style on Friday evening (20 June) with two dramatic passes through the iconic Dunoon Town Centre stage, drawing thousands of spectators into the heart of the action. The evening continues with five further challenging stages, including the dramatic eight-mile Oyster Catcher test under the cover of darkness.

Saturday’s action ramps up with nine stages bringing the rally total to 66 competitive miles, featuring the fan-favourite Bealach Maim stage, now with an exciting, revised layout, and the debut of the all-new Millhouses stage, adding fresh variety to the Saturday itinerary.

The rally is once again based at Dunoon Stadium, which hosts pre-event documentation and the bustling service park, while the official finish celebrations take place at Dunoon Pier from around 17:30 on Saturday evening.

Spectator access is a core part of the event’s appeal, with multiple safe viewing areas across the weekend, including the Dunoon Street Stage, and throughout Friday evening and Saturday. Local charities will manage car park donations to support community initiatives, and full spectator and resident information can be found on the event website: www.argyllrally.co.uk/spectators