August 13th, 2018

Galloway Hills Rally celebrates 45th Anniversary with substantial competitor incentives

Organisers of the Armstrong Galloway Hills Rally will celebrate the 45th running of the event in style, with a host of incentives for competitors to contest the Castle Douglas based event on the 8th September.

As the final round of the ARR Craib MSA Scottish Rally Championship and the popular end of season blast through the Dumfries and Galloway forests, the rally will also be encouraging rally crews from far and wide to the region for around 43 miles of competitive action.

With ferry deals available to competitors from across the Irish Sea, plus the chance to win almost half the entry fee back in a prize draw, around 100 entrants from across the UK and Ireland are expected to contest the event, all eager to sample the first-class forests tests.

Sponsored by local construction and waste management solutions firm The Armstrong Group, the rally is one of the most eagerly awaited in the British motorsport calendar and the race for the Scottish Rally Championship title is all set to be decided on the fantastic gravel stages to the west of the host town. The rally is also a qualifying round of the Border Challenge, Ecosse Challenge and HRCR Motoscope Northern Historic Gravel Rally Championship.

Organised as a collaboration between Solway, Machars and East Ayrshire Car Clubs, the Galloway Hills is proud to be a recipient of a grant from Dumfries and Galloway Council’s Major Festivals and Events Strategy 2018-2021. 100% of this valuable contribution is used to encourage competitors from far and wide to head to the region for the rally.

The Council’s Events Champion Councillor Adam Wilson is pleased to welcome yet another action-packed weekend of motorsport in the region.

“The Galloway Hills Rally is set to provide the perfect finale to the Scottish Rally Championship in 2018,” he said.

“The Rally is highly scenic, very friendly, well organised and is based in one of the hotspots of Scottish motorsport – Dumfries and Galloway! The Council is delighted to support the Galloway Hills Rally and the many dozens of volunteers who contribute to its success. I hope local people decide to get out to some of the great forest stages and support the event and enjoy exploring our beautiful region.”

First run in 1974, the rally is steeped in history and has seen many famous drivers across the decades tackle the legendary forests tests, culminating in an envious roll of honour. World Rally Championship ace Kris Meeke, M-Sport Ford World Rally Championship Team boss Malcolm Wilson and British and Scottish champion David Bogie, are all familiar names on the winner’s trophy.

One driver who is unsurpassed in his tally for outright wins is local hero Jock Armstrong. A record-breaking nine Galloway victories puts him firmly as one of this year’s favourites but there will be a quality entry from both sides of the Irish Sea looking to beat him to the top step of the podium.

Dumfries and Galloway Council are not the only ones to believe in the rally. The Scottish Championship consists of seven high- events across the country in which over 100 drivers regularly compete for the prestigious title. Thanks to the hard work of the organising team and 100’s of volunteers, the Galloway Hills Rally was awarded the SRC Chairman’s Cup as the “Best Event” in 2017.

Clerk of the Course of the rally Michael Riddick believes they have all the ingredients for yet another successful event this year.

“We are very proud of the rally and our small but experienced team every year and we are sure that 2018 will offer competitors and fans a fantastic day rallying in the Dumfries and Galloway” he says.

“We are indebted to the support of our sponsors the Armstrong Group and of course to the Dumfries and Galloway Council for their invaluable grant which helps us attract competitors from all corners of the country to the region for the weekend. There is sure to be some great action the stages for everyone to enjoy and we are looking forward to welcoming you all to our beautiful.”

The rally is based in Castle Douglas which also houses the pre-event technical checks and documentation on Friday 7th September. On the morning of Saturday 8th, the fantastic setting of Threave Castle and Gardens will play host to the start ceremony at 09:00 before five stages in the forests nearby including Cairn Edward, Black Loch, Glentrool and Raiders Road.

The rally will then return to Threave where the winners will celebrate success with the traditional champagne spray and podium at around 15:15.

Spectators will also be well catered for with a stunning natural amphitheatre in the Black Loch stage to watch the action from. Located with easy access on the A712 between Newton Stewart and New Galloway, this prime location offers fans the chance to see the cars for almost a minute at a time thanks to a new and extended viewing facility. Catering and WC facilities will also be provided and with cars due at 10:15 and 12:45, this rally is sure to be another great day out for all the family.