Blasting Magic SSVRC Round 1 โ Border Access Knockhill Rally
๐ฅ Blasting Magic Scottish Single Venue Rally Championship
Round 1 โ 2026 Border Ecosse / Border Access Knockhill Rallyย
๐ Knockhill Racing Circuit
๐
Sunday 1st March 2026
What a way to kick off the season! ๐ฅ๐ The 2026 Blasting Magic Scottish Single Venue Rally Championship roared back into life this weekend, with a blistering opening round that set the tone for what promises to be a fiercely competitive year. ๐ช
A massive congratulations to GMSCย members Ian and Kathryn Forgan on an outstanding win in their Mercury Motorsport sponsored Fiesta Rally 2. In a fantastic display of skill, precision, and teamwork, Ian powered to victory with his wife Katherine co-driving โ proving that rallying success truly is a family affair. ๐โค๏ธ
Many thanks once again to our 2026 sponsors for their continued support; Blasting Magic, JWElectrical (Fife), McIntyre Masonry, Motorwise rescue & recovery, Mercury Motorsport,ย Airtec Integrity, Y- MAC Group, Engine 710, Onestopย and MAC Grafix.๐
Engines screamed back to life and the tarmac trembledย at Knockhill Racing Circuit for the spectacular Border Access Stages, expertly run by Border Ecosse Car Club โ and it did NOT disappoint!
Registered crews descended on the fast, technical tarmac of Knockhill Racing Circuit, where freezing cold morning air and wet conditions resulting ever-changing grip levels ensured a true test of bravery and precision.โ and what a season opener it turned out to be! ๐๐จ
Set against the dramatic Fife backdrop, the tight, twisty and technical tarmac stages combined with Knockhillโs iconic elevation changes made for an absolute driverโs playground.ย The circuit delivered a full day of high-intensity stage action, unpredictable weather, and edge-of-your-seat battles across the classes. Fan were treated to non-stop sideways action all day long!
With a strong SSVRC entry list spanning four-wheel-drive contenders, high-powered two-wheel-drive machinery, experienced crews and emerging competitors, the opening round showcased both depth and diversity of the SSVRC.๐
๐ Class F/9 โ 1400cc : Giant Killers in Action
๐ฅConnor Black and Duncan Daun: Mazda 323
๐ฅAlfie Letham: Skoda Citigoย
๐ฅAndrew Milne and Gordon Milne : Suzuki Swift
It was an unfortunate first round for Bruce Lindsay and Lucie Gutteridge in the 1400 Fiesta; first fighting power steering problems, only then to face disqualification.
๐ Class E/7 +8 โ 1600cc : Precision at the Limit
๐ฅDave McIntyre : Citroen C2
๐ฅOllie Forrester : Citroen C2R2 MAX
๐ฅEwan Murdoch and Hayden Brown : Escort Mk2
Jack and Joseph Lunn in the Peugeot 106 were 4th in class.ย
Reigning SSVRC Championย Liam Harvey was once again partnered by Chris Wareham finishing 5th in class.
GMSC members Colin Blake and wife Pauline were once again out in theirย little mini, finishing 6th in class.
GMSC member Shona Hale lost her navigator Violet at the last minute, forcing car owner Drew Barker into the silly seat. The crew finishing their day 7th in Class.
In his first ever rally new GMSC member Ross Miller, with Jonathan Campbell alongside, had a baptism of fire in the 1600 Fiesta. A series of punctures throughout the day blighted progress. But the pair enjoyed every minute of it and ending their day 8th in class.
Paul Murdoch didnโt have much luck in his Mk2 Escort putting a rod through the block and ending his day.
๐ Class D/5+6 โ : Power Meets Aggression
๐ฅKenny Wood and Greg Halfpenny: Escort Mk2
๐ฅShane Collins : Fiesta Rally 4 (driver)ย
๐ฅAlice Paterson Peugeot 208 Rally 4 (Navigator)
๐ฅIan Gray: Toyota Corolla
David Laspsley finished his day 4th in class in the beautiful red and white Mk2.
GMSC members Kevin and Gavin Paris had a day at Knockhill that they would love to forget, ECU issues blighting the Mk2 Escort.
๐ Class C/3 โ : The Crowd-Pleasers
๐ฅBen McDowell and John Shepherd :BMW 130i
๐ฅJames Gibb and Amy McCubbin : BMW E30
๐ฅAlison Horne and Karen Horne : Mini Cooper S
William Pollock and John Marshall finished 4th in the Mk2 Escort.
Adam Horne finished 5th in class in his Mini Cooper S.
Andy Lock lost his co driver at the last minute. Lessa Watson just happened to have her kit with her, the pair who had never met before gelled instantly and ended up 6th in class in Andyโsย first rally driving in the Millington powered Ford Focus.
๐ Class A/1 โ : The Titans Unleashed
๐ฅIan Forgan and Kathryn Forgan: Fiesta Rally 2
๐ฅChris Thompson and Pete Gibson: Fiesta Rally 2
๐ฅDAVE Bellerby : Mitsubishi Evo
Paul Burns and Joshua Alder in their spectacular looking white Impreza finished 4th in class.
Owen Paterson destroyed his chances of a goodย finish by binning it at the hairpin, getting stuck in the grass.
Alan Carmichael and Keir Beaton had centre diff failure in their Rally 2 unfortunately ending their day.
Billy Mclelland had electrical problems in his Impreza causing him to pull out.
For full championship tables please see Sportity appย
๐ The Verdict: A Season Ignited
Round One of the SSVRC delivered everything a championship opener should โ drama, precision, sideways spectacle, and fierce inter-class rivalry.
With championship points now on the board, rivalries ignited, and confidence soaring, the Blasting Magic 2026 Scottish Single Venue Rally Championship is officially underway โ and if this opening round is any indication, 2026 is going to be unforgettable.
Massive credit to the marshals, officials, medics and volunteers who kept the event running smoothly โ these events simply donโt happen without you. ๐ And hats off to Border Ecosse Car Club for delivering a cracking opener to the 2026 championship.
Round one has set the tone for what promises to be an incredibly competitive Scottish Single Venue Rally Championship. If Knockhill is anything to go by, 2026 is going to deliver thrills, rivalries, and unforgettable moments at every round. ๐๐ฅ
Well done to all competitors who took part โ and thank you to the fans who came out to support grassroots rallying at its very best.
Roll on Round 2โฆSun 10-May-2026ย Kames Spring Rally – Kames Motorsport Complex.Whoโs ready?! ๐๐ Strap in. This season has only just begun. ๐
