The Speyside Stages delivers a memorable event in partnership with Carbon Positive Motorsport.
After a two-year pandemic induced absence, the Speyside Stages returned to wow big crowds on this popular Scottish Rally Championship round, and to promote its environmental credentials within the local community who so actively support the event.
The event had teamed up with Carbon Positive Motorsport to have all the event organisation vehicles offset using local carbon offsetting projects based on rewilding, and to offer competitors and spectators the possibility to offset their events carbon footprint using their online platform.
Photo credits: Ewan MacKenzie & Alan Scott
The rally is well known for the efforts they make to bring rallying to the people. The first two stages were run in the heart of Elgin at Cooper Park, where large crowds were in attendance to catch a glimpse of the competitors in action.
The day would turn out to be a spectacular battle between two of the leading competitors who offset their carbon emissions through Carbon Positive Motorsport and would result in 4 competitors in the final top 10 using carbon positive motorsports offsetting services.
John Wink competed without his regular co driver Neil Shanks – who was clerk of the course for the event, co driven by Will Atkins they finished with their best result of the season so far in 9th place.
This service provides 25% more carbon offsetting in the future than is generated today, using only UK certified and sourced rewilding-based carbon offsetting projects which provide greater environmental benefits than offsetting alone.
The Speyside Stages was the first event announced where Carbon Positive Motorsport were donating 10% of sales profits to help Motorsport groups in the Ukraine, who are providing humanitarian aid to those in need during the current crisis - a unique initiative in UK motorsport today.
In addition to the organisers vehicles, over 10 competitors during the event took the opportunity to offset their carbon emissions, a figure that is growing event by event as more competitors recognise the need to mitigate their impact on the environment through competing, for the benefit of the sport and the environment.
Carbon Positive Motorsport brand ambassador Ashleigh Morris retired during the event with clutch issues, a disappointing result for such a long drive for her team from England, and her co driver Martin Haggett, who travelled from Germany for the event.
Angus Lawrie returned to competition with a new engine following his early retirement on the previous round. A huge team effort to return the car to the stages was rewarded with 10th overall.
Local competitor Brian Ross had an unfortunate event retiring with a broken stub axle. Brian is a big supporter of Carbon Positive, even going so far to have his own extra decals made for his car and really highlight his support for making motorsport sustainable – greatly appreciated Brian!
Carbon Positive Motorsport ambassador Jock Armstrong, co-driven by Cameron Fair, took the lead when the rally reached the forest stages, producing another great result and points score in his iconic Impreza.
David Bogie stormed through the final stages to overhaul Jock Armstrong and to claim his 10th Speyside Stages victory – an unprecedented level of success for any driver.
Carbon Positive Motorsport founder, Paul Glass said ‘’My sincere thanks go to the event organisers for putting on a wonderful event – and bringing it to the people so well. Also, our gratitude for them to reach out to us to support their environmental roadmap for its future years of running.
"It’s a great shame there can only be one winner – I was really impressed by how David and Jock drove today. I congratulated David at the end on quite a remarkable achievement, and for his amazing car control on forest suspension on tarmac – which was thrilling to watch’’.
Speyside Stages Top Ten Results
1. David Bogie/ Barney Mitchell Mini John Cooper Works WRC ...37:15
4. David Henderson/Chris Lees Ford Fiesta R5 ...38:25
5. Freddie Milne/Patrick Walsh Ford Fiesta Rally2 ...38:41
6. Scott MacBeth/Daniel Forsyth Mitsubishi Lancer Evo IX ...38:44
7. Bruce McCombie/Michael Coutts Ford Focus WRC '02 ...38:49
8. Mark McCulloch/Michael Hendry Proton Satria Evo S2000 ...39:15
9. John Wink/WillAtkins Hyundai i20 R5 ...39:29
10. Angus Lawrie/Paul Gribben Mitsubishi Lancer Evo IX ...39:46
The next round of the KNC Groundworks Scottish Rally Championship is the Beatson's Building Supplies Jim Clark Reivers Rally on 29th May 2022.
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 carbonpositivemotorsport.com