Pirelli-shod drivers secure podium lock-out in Granite City rally

MSA Scottish Rally Championship contenders driving on Pirelli tyres secured the top three positions at the Granite City Rally in Aberdeen on Saturday, 16 April. Dave Weston, the 2006 champion, claimed victory in his Ford Focus WRC by a slender margin of one second over current title-holder David Bogie, who continues to lead the championship standings, following wins on the opening two rounds of the season in his Mitsubishi Lancer Evolution IX. Rising star David Wilson, in another Mitsubishi, completed the podium to underline the control and durability of its Scorpion tyres on the punishing gravel stages of Aberdeenshire.

After the finish, Weston, who hails from the region, explained how he made the decision to use Pirelli tyres on the event following a back-to-back test with World Rally Championship star Matthew Wilson earlier this month using tyres from three different manufacturers. “The tyres were spot on throughout the rally,” said Weston. “The grip was fantastic and I can’t tell you how many boulders I drove over or times I was going sideways over rocks through corners with no real wear or fear of getting a puncture. I was also really pleased with the level of support I received from Pirelli.”

Weston also revealed that the high grip levels provided by his tyres were vital when he overheated his car’s brakes on the second stage of the rally, which left him with minimal stopping power for almost two stages. “It wasn’t a problem with the car, just me being too hard on the brakes building up my confidence again,” said Weston. “Apart from that it was a trouble-free rally and I really enjoyed the battle with David [Bogie]. He’s leading the British championship as well as the Scottish championship so it proves I can still steer a wee bit to be able to beat him.”

There was more rally success for Pirelli at the weekend with Robert Barrable taking Class 4 honours on the Monaghan Stages Rally in Ireland yesterday in his Pirelli-equipped Skoda Fabia Super 2000.

Carl Naylor, Pirelli Tyre UK’s motorsport manager said: “It’s been another brilliant result in Scotland for Pirelli and congratulations to all of our drivers. Although the Granite City stages are not as rough as they used to be, they still place a huge demand on tyre performance and durability. Thankfully our Scorpion gravel tyres are designed to withstand extreme terrain and this is reflected by the fantastic result.”

The Scottish Rally Championship continues with the all-asphalt Jim Clark Reivers Rally, based in Duns in the Scottish Borders, on 29 May.