KINGDOM STAGES SET FOR LEUCHARS RETURN
- 2018 Kingdom Stages Rally to run solely at Leuchars Station
- To take place on Saturday 10th November
- No lapping, no splits, no merges
- 6+ mile stages, totalling 45+ stage miles
- Improved viewing options for service crews & support staff
- Rallying to continue apace at Crail – entries for the Summer Stages open on 6th May
17 months on from Glenrothes Motor Sport Club’s well received maiden visit to Leuchars Station, the Kingdom Stages Rally will return to the Fife army base on 10th November 2018.
Compared to last year’s edition, which spanned two venues, 2018 will see the event return to a single venue format, with the action contained solely within the grounds of Leuchars Station. This will see competitors tackle a total of over 45 stage miles, with stages over 6 miles in length, all without any lapping, splits, or merges.
Clerk of the Course Robert Ness enthused:
“GMSC are thrilled to be returning to what is a fantastic venue at Leuchars. Home to the Kingdom Stages for many years, Crail still represents an excellent venue for our rallies, but we were looking to further build on some of the things we tried as a club in 2017, which Leuchars affords us a bit more scope to explore.
The prospect of being able to lay on stages over 6 miles in length, without any lapping, splits or merges, and providing an improved viewing experience for service crews & support staff than has previously been achieved at the venue, is something which has greatly excited the club committee… and we hope will excite competitors too! It’s a ‘new take’ on a still fairly new and developing venue, having been first used for rallying in 2016, and one which we know will offer competitors a great day’s sport.”
This by no means spells the end for the club’s hosting of events at Crail Airfield, with the Summer Stages Rally all set to take place on 9th June. Now the sole rally due to take place at Crail in 2018, new Clerk of the Course Richard Crozier explained:
“In response to competitor feedback, and building on both last June’s event and the ‘R2WD’ movement down south, we have modified the format of the event to provide a ‘punchier’ and more ‘flowing’ experience for competitors, with shorter service halts, which we hope they will enjoy. This will include all of the junior action being contained in the morning, and seniors in the afternoon, allowing the latter more time to scrutineer in the morning should they wish, which means the event can be done in a day – reducing the need for an overnight stay.
We’re also responding to feedback from our marshals, planning a shorter day in the (hopefully!) summer sun, along with a longer lunch break. This while still providing competitors with plenty of mileage – 40 for juniors, 47 for seniors, and most stages around 10 miles in length. Aware that we’ll now be the club’s only rally of the year with spectator access, we’re also planning a few things which we hope will further improve the Crail spectating experience!”
Supplementary Regulations for the Summer Stages Rally are due out by Thursday 26th April on www.glenrothes-msc.com, with entries to open at 19:00 on Sunday 6th May.
