CARISS CONQUERS THE CONDITIONS

The well know York Husband and Wife crew of Stuart and Linda Cariss overcame the appalling conditions, and a quality field, to bring their RS 2000 home to victory on the Saltire Classic Rally, ahead of the Midgets of Archie and Richard Simmonds and Noel Cochrane/ Oliver McCollum, this latter crew coming straight to the Saltire from a night road rally where they had finished 4th. The rally was a triumph for the organising Saltire Rally Club who were completely unfazed by the torrential rain which turned the course into a quagmire and ran their event with great efficiency spiced with good humour.

After six tests, crews got the opportunity to sample a regularity section running over the scenic roads in Glen Lyon , before a well earned and very welcome lunch halt at Taymouth. This short respite preceded another round of tests, and with rain continuing to fall , traction was at a premium and tyre choice a vital factor, indeed, it was remarkable, given the conditions, that all but one crew finished the event.

The day rounded off with a superb meal in the historic Kenmore Hotel with everyone commenting on what a superb job Colin Wallace and his team had done, not forgetting the staunch marshals who must have finished the day extremely damp. Class awards went to Tot & Maureen Dixon (Cooper S), Jim Hendry/ Graham Couser (TR3), Ian Dixon/ Niall Thomson (RS2000) and Robert & Bert Beattie’s Peugeot but, given the conditions, everyone was a winner.