The action-packed Prestone MSA British Rally Championship travels back into Scotland this week for the third round of Britain’s premier rally series.
The RSAC Scottish Rally 19/20 May will welcome the BRC top-guns, as they tackle the demanding gravel stages around Dumfries with over 74 competitive miles playing host to the exciting rallying showcase.
Last time out in Cumbria the BRC teams faced the fast and flowing Kielder Forests with a fine balance between speed and bravery bringing fruitful awards to the crews.
Four different drivers topped the time sheets on the eight stages and four tyre manufacturers featured in the top six finishing positions – underlining the variety and competitiveness of the 2017 season.
Championship leader Fredrik Ahlin comes into the Scottish Rally on a crest of a wave having taken the top spot on the opening two rounds.
The Swede with his Norwegian co-driver Torstein Eriksen have gelled with their new Skoda Fabia R5 and DMACK tyres, consequently the pair has a small cushion at the top of the BRC points standings.
The Scottish Rally was the start of a nightmare period in Ahlin’s 2016 season, however that won’t stop the Swedish sensation from going out on the attack to make it a hat trick of 2017 wins.
Pushing the Scandinavian pairing all the way on the Pirelli International Rally last time out was Osian Pryce and Dale Furniss in their Ford Fiesta R5.
The Welsh pairing came within a handful of seconds before suffering handbrake problems, making the challenging chicanes hard work for the man from Machynlleth. Having secured a third and a second, Pryce will be gunning for a first BRC victory for his Spencer Sport team.
Also out to make history is Tom Cave and his co-driver James Morgan. The Welsh duo put the brand new Hyundai i20 R5 through its paces for the first time in Cumbria and were right on the pace from the off – leading the event from the start before suspension failure put the hard chargers out of contention.
The pair finished second last year on the Scottish Rally and will hope to secure their first BRC win together and the first for Hyundai since David Higgins in 2004.