We hope that in the future, when restrictions (Covid-19 and otherwise) have been lifted, the event will be able to return.

The Solway Coast Rally has been sponsored by the Stewart family of Euroroute Group (formerly DA Autoparts) since it began in 1980. Solway Car Club extends special thanks to Richard, Nadine and Peter Stewart for their continued support and enthusiasm for the event, and looks forward to a delayed celebration of this momentous 40+year association as headline sponsor, which is unrivalled in rallying across the UK, at a future event. 

Despite recent guidelines from both the Scottish Government and the sport’s governing body, Motorsport UK, the associated uncertainties regarding social distancing, together with potential restrictions on accommodation and local services, has left the organisers with no option but to cancel the event.

As released in February, the 40th Anniversary event was scheduled to take place not only on the usual MOD Range roads, but also on Closed Public Roads for the first time. Event Organisers Solway Car Club wish to acknowledge the support of Motorsport UK, the Roads Department of Dumfries & Galloway Council, and Dumfries & Galloway Police Division for their assistance in the Motor Race Order application process required to facilitate this closure.

The www.UsedCarParts.co.uk Solway Coast Rally has been sponsored by the Stewart family of DA Autoparts since it began in 1980. Solway Car Club extends special thanks to Richard, Nadine and Peter Stewart for their continued support and enthusiasm for the event, and looks forward to a delayed celebration of this momentous 40+year association as headline sponsor, which is unrivalled in rallying across the UK, at a future event.

Event promoters Solway Car Club received their organising Permit from the governing body Motorsport UK early this month, and submitted an application to Dumfries and Galloway Council shortly afterwards for the required local authority Motor Race Order (MRO) to use small sections of Public Road in the event.

The Solway Coast Rally, which has been sponsored by the Stewart Family of DA Autoparts every year since its formation in 1980, will take place on Saturday 15 August 2020. The 45-mile event will be a counting round of the Marshall Construction Scottish Tarmack Rally Championship and the Fuchs Lubricants Classic Mini Challenge. It was announced last month that there will sadly be no Junior event this year due to restrictions on the venue. (Read more here)

A spokesperson for Solway Car Club said: “We cannot think of another rally in the UK which has had the same sponsor for 40 years, and we are particularly grateful to Richard, Nadine and Peter Stewart of DA Autoparts for their continued support of the Solway Coast Rally. Hopefully by adding some Closed Public Roads, we will have a special event in August to mark this 40-year milestone.”

Solway Car Club have carefully chosen the public roads included in the MRO application submitted to Dumfries & Galloway Council for approval to ensure little or no impact on anyone living and working in the vicinity of the stages. More information on the 40th Anniversary Solway Coast Rally will be announced in due course, and entries are expected to open in July.

Contested over eight stages on the MOD Ranges on the edge of the Solway Firth, 2011/2012 winner Hardie, co-driven by John McCulloch of Newton Stewart, was fastest on the first stage and maintained this position for the rest of the day by recording fastest times on half of the day’s tests.

The final podium spots were fought over by Scottish Tarmac Championship front-runners Gordon Morrison/Calum MacPherson and Lee Hastings/Alistair Wyllie, with Hastings and Wyllie finishing just 4 seconds ahead at the final control to make it a Solway Car Club 1-2 on the podium.

Ian Forgan and Chris Lees finished 4th Overall and first in Class 6, and the Skoda Fabia of Robert Adamson and Jane Nicol rounded off the Top 5 and took 2nd in class.

It was a Solway Car Club washout in Class 5, with Richard Dickson/Roger Alcorn coming home first and 7th overall, ahead of Joe McKeand (Beeswing) who was competing in his first event in over 15 years, ably co-drive by Laura Marshall of Newton Stewart. Dumfries pair Willie Nelson and Robert Proudlock completed the all-Subaru class podium.

Class 4 for the powerful two-wheel drive cars was won by Ayrshire driver Colin Gemmell in a Ford Escort Mk II, but unofficial drive of the day went to second two-wheel drive, Kirkcudbright driver Stewart Dodds, who finished a fantastic 9th overall and 1st in the 1400cc class in a Vauxhall Nova. Co-driven by Solway Car Club member Robin Neil from Haugh of Urr, they won the class by over 2 minutes from Solway Coast Rally regulars Simon Hunter/Howard Pridmore in a Peugeot 205, with the VW Polo of Martyn Douglas and Thomas Purvin in 3rd.

The 1600cc class was won by Michael Harbour and Iain Macdougall in a Citroen C2R2, ahead of Donald Bowness/Paul Gribben in a Vauxhall Nova, and Solway Coast newbies Des Campbell and Craig Forsyth in 3rd.

The Honda Civic of Michael Robertson took victory in the 2000cc class, ahead of Ross McCallum in an MG Maestro, and the Ford Escort Mk II of father and son paring of Chris & Pete McCallum in third.

While the McCulloch name will remain on the DA Autoparts trophy, it won’t be preceded by Mark. The Dumfries driver, who has dominated the event since 2013 by recording five consecutive wins, was contesting the event in a new Subaru Impreza, but he and co-driver Michael Hendry from Archiestown struck trouble on the first stage when their steering broke after landing from a jump.

Also in trouble on the first stage was another pre-event favourite, Stephen Thompson of Kirkcudbright. Driving a Ford Fiesta R5 for only the second time, he was just one victim of a slippy section under trees near the end of the first stage, resulting in mechanical problems. Thanks to fast work from the Dom Buckley RSC mechanics, he was able to re-join the event, but three fastest stages times in the latter part of the event was little consolation for the AMD Contract Services backed driver and co-driver Larry Higton, who went into the event hoping to improve on their second overall position in 2017.

Ian Paterson (Mouswald) who has contested every Solway Coast since its inception in 1980, a feat in itself, but on this occasion, his Subaru Impreza sadly met the same tree as Thompson, leading to instant retirement for him and Harry Marchbank (Thornhill) on stage one.

Former winner and ex-Scottish Rally Champion Murray Grierson and his son Mark from Dalbeattie finished in 15th after a problematic day with punctures, and it was a disappointing day for the  Paterson brothers, Stuart and Allan from Dumfries, who retired with wheel bearing issues.

The Tom Boyd Memorial Award for first Solway Car Club Co-driver went to John McCulloch, who has now won the event five times, the same number as his son, Mark.

Sunday’s competition saw two events running in tandem, with the usual ‘Solway Coast Junior Rally’ for drivers aged 14-17 being held alongside the ‘Solway Coast Historic Rally’.

The Historic event, which was a counter in the HRCR Mintex old STAGER Championship, attracted 18 competitors from the Mini Sport Mini Cup, and was won by 2017 winners Ray Cunningham and Jared Gill from Atherny, Co. Galway, who dominated with fastest times on all 10 stages to win by over 2 minutes from Clive King/AntonBird in a similar Mini Cooper and Paul Kendrick/Luke Green in a Ford Escort Mk I.

In the Junior rally, youngsters from the Scottish, English and Irish series met for the first time in a variety of 1000cc cars. This was the first time this season that the three series have joined together, allowing the juniors from Scotland and Northern Ireland to pitch themselves against the best drivers from the sister series in England and Wales.

The event was won by Elliott Payne and Simon Rogers, just 5 seconds ahead of Eddie Lewis and Sam Bilham. Welshmen Ioan Lloyd and Jonathan Jackson completed the all Citroen C1 podium a further 10 seconds back.

The Dumfries pairing of Lewis Haining and Mark McCulloch in a Skoda Citigo had a fraught day, suffering multiple mechanical problems to retire whilst lying first overall in the Junior 1000 Ecosse Challenge, but Alice Paterson from Collin with Ian Crosbie of Penpont alongside in her Peugeot 107 managed to uphold local, and Paterson, honour to finish 20th.

The popular event would not be possible without the generous sponsorship of Dumfries based DA Autoparts. The 2018 event marked the 38th consecutive year that the Stewart family have supported the event.

The organisers from Solway Car Club, wish to thank all marshals, radio operators, set-up crews, medics, rescue and recovery crews, MOD personnel and everyone else involved in making the event a success. Full results can be found on the club website, www.solwaycoastrally.co.uk

Notes: Photo of 2018 winners David Hardie and John McCulloch © John Fife.

Top 10: David Hardie/John McCulloch (36:41), Lee Hastings/Alistair Wyllie (37:02), Gordon Morrison/Calum MacPherson (37:06), Ian Forgan/Chris Lees (37:32), Robert Adamson/Jane Nicol (38:46), John Marshall/Scott Crawford (38:55), Richard Dickson/Roger Alcorn (38:56), Colin Gemmell/Tom Hynd (39:10), Stewart Dodds/Robin Neil (39:29), Michael Harbour/Ian MacDougall (39:37)

The event, which is held annually and is organised by Solway Car Club, has attracted a near-capacity entry of almost 70 cars for the Senior event on Saturday, which will see competitors from The Cobble Shop Scottish Tarmack and Borders Challenge Rally Championships all tackling 45 miles on the MOD ranges.

Dumfries driver Mark McCulloch, who has won the event every year since 2013, will start as top seed, with regular Scottish Rally Championship co-driver Michael Hendry (Archiestown) in the hot seat alongside. A sixth win may be tricky in the unfamiliar surroundings of their new steed, a new Hardie Engineering/Signright Graphix Subaru Impreza.

The similar Hardie Engineering Subaru Impreza of 2012 winners David Hardie and John McCulloch (Dumfries/Newton Stewart) start second, and following them will be another local driver, Stephen Thompson from Kirkcudbright. A regular in a Ford Escort Mk II, Stephen made his four-wheel drive debut on this event last year, finishing just 4 seconds adrift of Mark McCulloch. He and co-driver Larry Higton will be real challengers for overall honours this time around in their AMD Contract Services Ford Fiesta R5, the only non-Subaru Impreza in the Top 10.

Lee Hastings from Collin will start in 4th, with 4x winner of the Solway Coast Rally Ian Paterson (Mouswald) rounding off the top 5.

A host of local drivers will be in competition, including former winners Richard Dickson from New Abbey with Roger Alcorn alongside starting at 8, with ex-Scottish Rally Champion and four-time winner of the Solway Coast in the 1980’s, Murray Grierson, and his son Mark starting at Car 10. Continuing the family theme will be the  Paterson brothers Stuart and Allan from Dumfries.

The two-wheel drive battle will see the Ford Escort Mk II of Scottish Tarmack Championship sponsor Tom Blackwood, take on the Hillman Avenger of Kenny Moore from Larkhall. Stuart Dodds from Kirkcudbright will be aiming for the class 1 podium in his 1400cc Vauxhall Corsa, with Haugh of Urr’s Robin Neil alongside, as they take on Chris & Heidi Woodcock from the Isle of Mull, and David Clucas from the Isle of Man.

The second day of competition will see two events running in tandem, with the usual ‘Solway Coast Junior Rally’ for drivers aged 14-17 being held alongside the ‘Solway Coast Historic Rally’. The event, which is a counter in the HRCR Mintex old STAGER Championship, has attracted 19 competitors from the Mini Sport Mini Cup in a selection of Austin and Mini Cooper, Cooper S and Clubman 1275, with a Ford Escort Mk I and Sunbeam Rally Imp for a bit variety.

In the Junior rally, almost 30 of the nation’s youngsters from the Junior 1000 Ecosse Challenge, McGrady Insurance ANICC Junior 1000 Rally Challenge Ireland and Junior 1000 Rally Championship will tackle the event in a selection of 1000cc cars, including the Nissan Micra, Peugoet 107, Citroen C1 and even a VW UP. This is the first time this season that the three series have joined together, allowing those from Scotland and Northern Ireland to pitch themselves against the best drivers from the sister series in England and Wales.

Sam Adams (Ballymoney, Northern Ireland) is the top seed in a Skoda Citigo C1, but he will be challenged all the way by the Scottish pairing of Solway Car Club’s Lewis Haining (Dumfries) in a Skoda Citigo and Johnnie Mackay (Newburgh) in the lone Suzuki Alto in the event. Harrogate driver Elliott Payne was very fast on his last visit to the Ranges, and will be one to watch on Sunday. Local interest in the J1000 also comes from Alice Paterson from Collin in her Peugeot 107.

The popular event has attracted entries from as far away as Alness in Northern Scotland, Llanfihangel-ar-arth in South Wales, and County Cork in Ireland, and would not be possible without the generous sponsorship of Dumfries based DA Autoparts. This event marks the 38th consecutive year that the Stewart family have supported the event,  and event sponsor, and former 1600cc winner, Peter Stewart, will start the event in his unique VW Polo S2000.

The organisers Solway Car Club, winners of the coveted ‘MSA Club of the Year’ title in 2014 from UK motorsports governing body, have made provisions for spectators at the venue. Parking is available adjacent to the A711, a short walk from the Service Area at Girdstingwood near Dundrennan. The action will start at 9am on both Saturday and Sunday, and more information, and full entry lists, can be found on the event website, www.solwaycoastrally.co.uk/spectators

Notes: Photo of 2017 winners Mark McCulloch and Michael Hendry © Mark Fisher.

Local Interest:
1  Mark McCulloch / Michael Hendry (Dumfries/Archiestown) Subaru Impreza
2  David Hardie / John McCulloch (Dumfries/Newton Stewart) Subaru Impreza
3  Stephen Thompson / Larry Higton (Kirkcudbright/Glasgow) Ford Fiesta R5
4  Lee Hastings / Alistair Wyllie (Collin/Rosscarbery) Subaru Impreza
5  Ian Paterson / Harry Marchbank (Mouswald/Thornhill) Subaru Impreza B13
8  Richard Dickson / Roger Alcorn (New Abbey/Castle Douglas) Subaru Impreza
10  Murray Grierson / Mark Grierson (Dalbeattie/Edinburgh) Subaru Impreza
11 Stuart Paterson / Allan Paterson (Collin/Mouswald) Subaru Impreza
18 Peter Stewart / TBA (Lochanhead) VW Polo S2000
20 Jim Sharp / Ian Crosbie (Stranraer/Penpont) Mitsubishi Evo 9
26 Stewart Dodds / Robin Neil (Kirkcudbright/Haugh of Urr) Vauxhall Nova
27 Donald Bowness / Paul Gribben Lochgilphead/Annan) Vauxhall Nova
31 Willie Nelson / Robert Proudlock (Dumfries/Dumfries) Subaru Impreza
42 Jim Robertson / Claire Robertson (Penpont/Penpont) Citroen C2R2
46 Hugh Murdoch / TBA (Stranraer) Ford Escort Mk2
62 Ewan Murdoch / TBA (Stranraer) Ford Focus
66 Joe McKeand / TBA (Beeswing) Subaru Subaru
J33 Lewis Haining / Mark McCulloch (Dumfries/Dumfries) Skoda Citigo
J53 Alice Paterson / Ian Crosbie (Dumfries/Penpont) Peugeot 107

The popular event, which has been sponsored by the Stewart family of DA Autoparts for it’s entirety, will again be based on the Military Ranges near Dundrennan in south west Scotland, and will welcome competitors from no less than seven different championships across the UK.

The Solway Coast Rally, which will take place on Saturday 4th August, will be a counting round in The Cobble Shop Scottish Tarmack Rally Championship, Border Challenge and Yokohama Tyres F1000 Senior Championship.

On Sunday, youngsters from the Scottish, English and Irish Junior 1000 Rally series will meet for the first time this season to compete against eachother in a variety of 1000cc cars in the Solway Coast Junior Rally. This event will be run in tandem with the Solway Coast Historic Rally, a counter in the HRCR Mintex old STAGER Championship, which came to Dundrennan for the first time in 2017.

Entries are open, and will close on 28 July.