Category: Latest News

On a weekend which should have echoed to the sounds of rally cars and huge excited crowds enjoying themselves watching motor sport, there will be instead be the sound of silence and a feeling of emptiness around the Berwickshire roads this weekend.

Thousands of organisers, competitors, marshals and rally fans who should have been in the Scottish borders over the weekend of 29-31 May for the Beatson’s Building Supplies Jim Clark Rally are instead confined to home. Covid-19 has not only blighted all sports and leisure activities, it has scarred the whole nation’s domestic and business life.

It is now two months since the organisers of this year’s event announced its cancellation, but that hasn’t stopped the work or the planning. Already the team are looking ahead to a resumption of something like ‘normal’ next May a year from now.

A vital part of the team is the event sponsor, Beatson’s Building Supplies, who have already committed their support for next year’s event giving the whole amateur organising team a boost. John Marshall, MD, said: “Things are looking bleak at present for all sports, and although times are tough for businesses too, Beatson’s Building Supplies have agreed to support next year’s event. The volunteers did a tremendous job getting the show back on the road last November and things were looking good till Covid-19 struck. So the best we can do is continue to back their hard work and efforts. Here’s to a cracking event next year.”

Rally Chairman Dan Wright welcomed that commitment: “The work that has already been undertaken will not go to waste and will provide a sound basis for next year’s event, whatever is required. To have the continued support of Beatson’s Building Supplies is a mark of confidence in what has been achieved over recent years and takes a great weight off our shoulders as we prepare for next year.”

At this stage, no-one is quite sure how badly the sport of rallying will be affected. The sport’s governing body, Motorsport UK, are already looking at new formats and these will of course be determined by any new regulations and requirements by local and national government.

Like any front running rally crew, the team is poised on the start line just waiting for the flag to drop, and get motor sport back on the road for the weekend of 28-30 May next year.

Fingers crossed everyone, stay safe, and stay healthy.

From all of the 2021 Beatson’s Building Supplies Jim Clark Rally organising team.

Attached copyright free photos (Credit: John Fife) highlight Beatson’s continued support.
Issued by John Fife on behalf of the Jim Clark Memorial Motor Club

The organisers of the Jim Clark Rally are delighted to announce that Beatson’s Building Supplies will be their headline sponsor for this year’s event which will take place over the weekend of 29-31 May 2020.

Scotland’s top independent building supplies company, Beatson’s are as well known in motor sport as they are in the building trade.

The company already sponsors the annual Beatson’s Building Supplies Mull Rally in October each year and they sponsor the Spectator’s Bridge at Knockhill Racing Circuit.

Former motor racing driver, and currently enjoying a successful switch to rallying, Managing Director John Marshal said: “My son Ross, who is also a director in the family business, and I both enjoy motor sport and this involvement is all about putting something back into the sport from which we derive so much enjoyment.”

“Having our name associated with two of Scotland’s best rallies helps the business as well,” he continued, “the Mull Rally is pretty unique because of its Inner Hebridean location. The Jim Clark Rally is pretty unique too, but is more easily accessible for rally fans as it takes place on the Scottish mainland. Jim Clark was also one of my boyhood heroes when I was growing up and it’s just a pleasure to be able to support two of Scotland’s best loved motor sporting events.”

Rally Chairman Dan Wright said: “We are delighted to welcome Beatson’s Building Supplies on board as the Jim Clark Rally’s headline sponsor. This will provide a great boost to the whole team who have been working hard to make this year’s event even better.”

Deputy Clerk of the Course Colin Smith added: “Plans are already well advanced for this year’s event at the end of May so the news from Beatson’s Building Supplies is a big encouragement for the whole team behind the scenes. This year we are planning 13 Special Stages using 7 separate stretches of public road. This will include one brand new section that hasn’t been used before! The Regulations are being finalised now and Entries will open at the beginning of April.”

Beatson’s Building Supplies is the biggest independent building materials supply firm in Scotland servicing the whole of the building industry across the country from its five central locations in Alloa, Stirling, Dunfermline, Cumbernauld and Penicuik.

The Jim Clark Rally will take place on Saturday 30th May and will be an ‘Interclub’ status event. The Jim Clark Historic Rally also takes place on Saturday 30th May and will be a ‘National’ status event. Signing on, and scrutineering, will be available from Thursday 28th May, with recce being on Friday.

The first car will leave the start ramp at 1000 on Saturday morning, with the first car expected to finish the event at 1900. There will be 3 stages run twice during the day, with an expected distance of 48 miles. In the evening 1 stage will run twice with an anticipated distance of 22 miles. This gives a provisional total mileage of 70 miles. Prize giving will be on the podium.

The Jim Clark Reivers Rally will take place on Sunday 31st May and will be an ‘Interclub’ status event. Signing on, and scrutineering, will be available on Saturday 30th May. (Time to be advised.) The Reivers recce will take place on Sunday 24th May starting at 0900.

The first car will leave the start ramp at 1000 on Sunday morning, with the first car expected to finish the event at 1400. There will be 3 stages run twice during the day. This gives a provisional total mileage of 45miles.

Rally HQ will be at Duns Rugby Club, where camping will also be available. Service is also in Duns and will be on grass. Route note suppliers will be: Scotmaps, On the Pacenotes and Pattersons Pacenotes.

Entries are expected to open on Thursday 2nd April.

For more information please contact the Entries Secretary: Lindsay Burnip lindsay.burnip@jimclarkrally.org