The 2025 Borders Competitions Jim Clark Rally is shaping up to be one of the most exciting editions in over a decade as an expanded route, top-tier entries from across Europe, and a refreshed format bring renewed interest to the Duns-based event, which takes place from 23-25 May.
Centred in the heart of the Scottish Borders, the Jim Clark Rally is widely regarded as one of the premier stage rallies in the UK and has been a cornerstone of the national motorsport calendar for more than half a century. The 2025 edition continues that proud tradition, drawing an impressive 260 competitors from the Probite Motorsport UK British Rally Championship, the Protyre Asphalt Rally Championship, and the Asset Alliance Group Scottish Rally Championship for an action-packed weekend
Backed for the first time by leading online competition business and local firm Borders Competitions, this year’s rally boasts over 100 stage miles across Friday and Saturday, the longest since its heyday, with Sunday’s Jim Clark Reivers Rally offering almost 60 competitive miles, reflecting the event’s commitment to progress and innovation.
Following the now-customary ceremonial start in the heart of Duns Square on Friday evening, the rally kicks off with the fan-favourite Langton Mill stage, setting the tone for an action-packed weekend. Adding a twist, the crews will then tackle a reversed version of the Fogo stage before facing the return of a classic Jim Clark test – Bothwell – which hasn’t featured since 2012.
This challenging 14-mile stage is the standout feature of the opening leg, which covers 46 competitive miles in total. Each of the three stages will be run twice, with the crews returning to Duns just before 11pm for the overnight halt.
Saturday’s action begins with another run through Langton, followed by revised versions of the Edrom and Blackadder stages. The loop concludes with a fresh test at Polwarth, before service in Duns around midday and a repeat of the loop in the afternoon. After a demanding 55-mile day, the finish celebrations and champagne spray will return to Duns Square in the mid-afternoon.
Sunday’s Jim Clark Reivers Rally, taking place on 25 May, also starts from Duns Square and features several iconic stages, including Westruther, Macks Mill, Scott’s View and Eccles. With extended mileage across these tests, Sunday’s route totals 60 stage miles. The winners will return to Duns for a mid-afternoon finish and champagne celebration.
The entry list is packed with championship contenders and local heroes, all eyeing victory across the Scottish asphalt.
Leading the field on Friday and Saturday is Estonian driver Romet Jürgenson. The young ace is the reigning Junior World Rally Champion and FIA Rally Star winner, and after dominating the Carlisle Stages, carries huge momentum into the Jim Clark. Co-driven by Siim Oja, Jürgenson’s M-Sport Ford Fiesta Rally2 could well be the car to beat.
A major shift in the BRC title race adds extra spice. Points leader William Creighton and last year’s Jim Clark Rally winner Keith Cronin are both missing — Creighton due to family commitments, and Cronin after a heavy crash at the Rally of the Lakes. Their absence leaves the door wide open for a new winner on the top step.
Flying the flag for local honours are three Duns-based drivers – Euan Thorburn, Garry Pearson, and Dale Robertson – all competing in cutting-edge Rally2 machinery. Thorburn, behind the wheel of a Volkswagen Polo GTI R5, scored the Reivers Rally win in 2024 after a tense final stage shootout, but hasn’t been out on a sealed surface for some time.
Pearson, another past Jim Clark podium finisher, will be a serious contender too, driving the latest-spec Ford Fiesta Rally2 prepared by the factory M-Sport team. Meanwhile, Robertson also lines up in a Fiesta. While always quick on home soil, Robertson enters the event with less recent seat time, having not competed since last year’s edition.
Scottish hopes are also pinned on Max McRae, the latest rising star from the legendary McRae rallying dynasty. Max, son of 1995 BRC champion Alister, is hunting for his first BRC finish of the season in his Citroen C3 Rally2 after a promising but luckless start to his campaign.
James Williams (Hyundai i20 N Rally2) seeks redemption after a difficult Carlisle round. The Welshman previously showed strong asphalt form with a podium on the BRC opener. Also in the mix is James Ford, who steps up to the BRC in a Citroen C3 Rally2. Ford was a standout performer at last year’s Jim Clark and will be aiming to build on that experience.
Another major threat is Callum Black, fourth in the standings, piloting a Fiesta Rally2. He’ll be joined in the top pack by Meirion Evans (Toyota GR Yaris Rally2), who arrives off the back of a second-place finish at the non-championship Rally of the Lakes in Ireland. Both are aiming to exploit the opportunity left by the absence of Creighton and Cronin.
The Reivers Rally on Sunday is no less competitive and over 120 cars will line up to tackle the event. Thorburn aims to take a record tally of wins with four in a row, but he’ll be pushed by Robertson and Pearson, which could make it a Duns 1-2-3 on the road. Hugh Brunton and Elliot Payne add some BRC flavour to Sunday, whilst multiple Scottish Rally Champion David Bogie steps back into Rally2 machinery for his Jim Clark Rally return.
Fans will be treated to plenty of accessible viewing points and centralised activity in Duns across all three days of the rally, including mid-day regroups and start/finish ceremonies. A large screen in the town will also broadcast live stage footage and results, enhancing the atmosphere across the weekend.
Many stages offer spectacular viewing spots for spectators, including the iconic Langton watersplash [run four times] stage, Fogo, Polwarth, Westruther, Mack’s Mill and Scott’s View. Full spectator information is available in the Rally Programme, stocked at a wide range of outlets across the region.
Full spectator information is available on the Jim Clark Rally website HERE where the entry lists for both events can also be viewed.
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