Oban-based rally driver in Top 10 in Intercontinental Rally Challenge

… and the little dog laughed as John Swinscoe said he was ‘over the moon’ on getting a top ten finish on the Rally of Scotland on his first venture into rally team management with the Oban based Bonniwell Rally Team.

John and his wife Paula are regulars competing on the Tour of Mull Rally with their yellow Rallytech EVO 9 -  but a venture on to gravel with Scottish championship regulars Will Bonniwell and Neil Ewing at the helm was a first.

At the finish in Stirling, John was delighted – tellling us (obviously without drawing breath): ‘A top 10 finish and 7th in the IRC – and first Kuhmo tyres finisher – it was all we set out to do. Overall – time for a beer’.

Will Bonniwell had support from his home town on The Rally of Scotland. As well as loyal long time supporters Albar and Kumho tyres, the Scottish Championship regular had Oban – its closer than you think literally on board. The Oban Tourist Association got its message out to the many spectators and a huge TV audience on the bonnet of Bonniwell’s Evo 9, which finished 10th overall.

Oban is a great centre for touring Scotland’s magnificent Western Isles and for sea and mountain sports – and seeing the message hammer past on the Evo 9′s yellow bonnet puts petrol in this great town’s tank.

Don’t let anyone tell you rallying is not a friendly sport or that the Scots are mean. When Shaun Sinclair found Will Bonniwell raking about in his workshop he did not call the police – he helped the Scottish Championship regular with a lend of his Evo’s gravel suspension for the Rally of Scotland. How’s that for the spirit of collaboration?

Bonniwell drove the Rallytech Evo 9 which has never left tarmac in the hands of John and Paula Swinscoe except for the odd ‘excursion’ (nuff said) on the Tour of Mull rally. ‘We needed some bits and Shaun was delighted to help – we are really grateful as it saved the budget more than somewhat’, said Bonniwell, the canny Oban businessman.

And Meeke – but not mild:  Ulsterman Kris Meeke – the newly crowned IRC Rally Champion, got the last jewel for his headgear – The Rally of Scotland victory.

Driving a Peugeot 207 he held off strong competition from Englishman Guy Wilkes, and Scot Alister McRae. The story of the Scotsman, the Englishman, and the Irishman was the talk of the event that took the rally round Perth and the Trossachs over the weekend.

Flagged off from Scone Palace by first Minister Alex Salmond and Sir Jackie Stewart (pictured top), the greatest of all living Scots racers, Meeke was never headed – but Wilkes and McRae kept him honest at the front, coming within 5 seconds at one stage.

‘We have the Rally of Scotland for three years’, beamed the First Minister, telling For Argyl: “I have been following the IRC series all year – its terrific!’ And he’s no slouch himself.

They’ll be celebrating in Benderloch.

Campbell Cameron, Motor Sport Editor