Clydesdale rally drivers prepare for Speyside challenge

Aug 7 2008 by George Topp, Lanark & Carluke

YOUNG rally drivers from Clydesdale are heading north this weekend.

For they will be competing in the latest round of the County Saab Scottish Rally Championship.

The Gleaner Oil and Gas Speyside Stages also marks the fifth round of the 2008 Brick and Steel 205 Ecosse Challenge.

It is one of the most closely-contested rally series that takes place in Scotland.

Leading the way to the test – in the Moray forests on Saturday – is Carluke Saab specialist Graeme Schoneville, who has had to battle all manner of problems so far this season.

And Graeme is targeting a better result for himself when he heads to Elgin.

“I’ve been pacing myself so far this year so, hopefully, I can step up a gear, up the pace a bit from now on and go for some points,” reckons Schoneville.

He also has a new co-driver for this round in the shape of Uddingston’s Stuart Loudon.

“It can be quite tough out there; quite a few cars usually drop out on each round.

“So, if we can hang in there and keep on the road then who knows what can happen.”

Returning to the fold after sitting out the Scottish Rally are Crossford teenage brothers Jonathan and Graeme Smith.

The Valley International Park team are never far from the action when they are out on the stages and Jonbathan’s maximum-attack driving style has made him a firm favourite with rally spectators so far this season.

When things are going well, however, Jonathan and navigator Ian Angell from Bothwell are always close to the top of the Challenge timesheets and there is every chance that things could come together for the pair this time out.

Likewise, younger brother Graeme is learning with every rally he contests and will be looking to emulate his big brother as he makes his way through the trees.

Also heading north from Crossford are Luke McLaren and Anca Baltac, who have recorded some strong results this season in spite of a range of mechanical problems and are looking to further improve their portfolio of results in their first full season of rallying.

One man who won’t be making the trip north is Biggar greenkeeper Scott Erskine.

The young driver – who has earned himself a reputation as one of the most determined competitors in the Challenge – was involved in a recent quad biking accident.

While Scott is expected to make a full and speedy recovery, he has been sidelined for around two months and is targeting the Colin McRae Forest Stages at the start of October for his comeback.