October 11, 2023
This year the Beatson’s Building Supplies Mull Rally is promoting the message of Respect, Protect and Enjoy through Enviro Ambassadors.
Respect, Protect and Enjoy is a key campaign message used by Visit Scotland and the Argyle and Bute Council, to inspire and call on all people to respect, protect and enjoy their beautiful countryside. The council has also recently announced its own strategy to achieve Net Zero in their own operations by 2045.
The Beatson’s Building Supplies Mull Rally, together with Carbon Positive Motorsport, will promote the message of Respect, Protect and Enjoy through eight Enviro Ambassador crews who will compete on this year’s event.
Mull Rally Enviro Ambassadors James Ford and Neil Shanks are seeded at car 6
This year’s Enviro Ambassadors include:
John MacCrone / Dai Roberts
James Ford / Neil Shanks
Fergus Barlow / Craig Barlow
Scott MacBeth / Hannah McKillop
William Paterson / Emily Easton-Page
Ross Chalmers / Barry Young
Scott Cleverdon / Stephen Spear,
Finn Thomasson / Simon Thomasson
We are delighted that these competitors have agreeed to become ambassadors for the environment on behalf of the Beatson's Building Supplies Mull Rally. Many have competed on the event serveral times, incuding former winner John MacCrone, but for the Thomasson's it will be their first time on the famous rally. The local crew have previously competed on the Mull Classic and have set up a Go Fund me page to help enter the closed road stage event.
Finn Thomasson says, " Over the last few years I have been developing a passion for rallying and having done the Mull Classic Rally three times, winning my class, best novice and best crew this year as a driver, I have decided to enter the Mull Rally in October this year with a MK 1 Citroen Saxo VTS."
Local competitors Fergus and James Barlow are seeded at car 7 and will be looking for their first Mull Rally victory, competing this year in their Viking Offshore backed Fiesta Rally2.
In support of the respect, protect and enjoy message, Carbon Positive Motorsport will be providing refuse bags with each rally programme.
Steve Smith, director of Carbon Positive Motorsport, said, "When I heard last year of this simple but effective idea to include a refuse bag with each programme, we thought it was a great practical initiative and one we wanted to support this year.
"It's not just a great idea to bag your own waste, but you can also use it to collect any litter you might find."
Scott MacBeth and Hannah McKillop will join forces this year in their Lancer Evo IX seeded at car 8.
Speaking ahead of the event, Carbon Positive Motorsport founder, Paul Glass added, "We are known for providing motorsport events with carbon offsetting, but we do much more for an event than that.
"We also help events find ways to change the perception of the sport, such as the Respect, Protect and Enjoy Enviro Ambassador initiative, and we work to gain the support of important stakeholders such as local communities and event and competitor sponsors.
"We're paying attention to smaller details, such as developing hand finished Carbon Positive Motorsport decals, which are printed using sustainable inks, and sized to avoid wasted vinyl."
Hand finished Carbon Positive Motorsport decals are printed using sustainable inks
The Positive About Motorsport decals that all competitors will receive for this year’s rally are sustainable, developed in conjunction with a specialist company based in the Highlands. As well as using sustainable inks, the decals use a special ‘Airlock’ low tack adhesive that can be applied in the wet and are sized and cut to minimise the use of raw materials.
The company also donates gifts for marshals to many events, sourced from their Positive About Motorsport clothing range, manufactured from 100% recycled materials. Details such as these show that anyone can contribute in many ways to respect, protect, and enjoy the environment.
Glass added, "I want to thank the eight Enviro Ambassador Crews for their involvement, and to thank all competitors for their support of our initiative. I wish everyone a safe and enjoyable Mull Rally."
Scott Cleverdon will be competing in his VW Polo.
In the second year of a long-term environmental roadmap, the rally will carbon offset all competitor emissions in this year’s event. Their ongoing commitment to mitigating the carbon footprint of the event is based on meaningful action, using only the highest quality Woodland Carbon Code certified UK based carbon offsetting projects.
Glass said: "The Woodland Carbon Code certification means that the rally benefits from publicly visible and traceable carbon emission offsetting, and can prove to key stakeholders that the offsetting promised is achieved."
Richard Crozier, Clerk of the Course of the Beatson’s Building Supplies Mull Rally, added: "Ensuring that our event continues to deliver an ever more positive environmental legacy for the island year on year, is of massive importance to us It's been great to partner with Carbon Positive Motorsport, as fellow motorsport enthusiasts passionate about this area.
"We look forward to what we can achieve together in 2023, and ensuring that future generations are able to respect, protect and enjoy the Isle of Mull for years to come."
Fans and volunteers are also able to contribute towards mitigating their carbon footprint, with Carbon Positive Motorsport offering a 20% discount on their carbon offsetting services when travelling to the event.
It only costs a little to make a big difference for the sport, so whether you're a competitor or spectator, why not join with us to help make motorsport sustainable.
To become Carbon Positive yourself, visit our website www.carbonpositivemotorsport.com
Offset your fuel or tyre usage via the links to our online shop below, using discount code MR23CS
More information on the event can be found at mullrally.org