RTG Highland Thistle Daily Dispatch - electronic - Flipbook - Page 5
RESCHEDULED TO 2021
2 to 7 September 2021
Day 2
Oban to Quiraing (264.8 miles)
4 September 2021
Scotland certainly knows how to put on a show and, if all
the world’s a stage and all the men and women merely
players, then today’s scene shifters had done a fantastic
job. The actors must be mentioned, especially those who,
much later in the day, delighted their audience with some
truly bravura performances on the Broadford airstrip Test.
They know who they are, and so do we!
From Oban the rally turned south, onto roads which
were barely a cars width and which pitched and rolled
like a fairground ride. The road to, and through, the first
Regularity at Loch Avich gave the crews an impressive
tour of Mid Argyle through the Inverinan Forest and the
Kurt and Diethild Bock with their 1955 Aston Martin DB2/4 Mk II
Photos: gerardbrown.co.uk
A quick look at the road book this morning
showed that a long scenic day was what we
had to look forward to, with no less than four
stunning Regularities and one high octane Test
on the way to the Isle of Skye. It’s the longest day
of the rally, but a mixture of well-chosen minor
roads, excellent highways and some well placed
Time Controls kept the crews on their toes and
ensured the miles rolled by effortlessly.
Jeff Urbina and Chris Pike, 1972 Porsche 911
beautiful Glen Orchy to a Time Control at the Bridge of
Orchy Hotel. Here the crews were able to rest and compare
notes and appreciate some of the features which the hotel
so proudly boasts. Namely its real fire, real ales, real good
food and of course its real bridge.
Following these showstoppers was always going to be
difficult, but the run through the mighty Glen Coe and
alongside Ben Nevis just about achieved it. By the time the
crews had finished the second Regularity along the River
Lochy they were ready for the short intermission offered
at the lunch halt and Time Control in the Whispering Pine
Lodge in Letterfinlay.
Once the plates had been cleared away and the cars
fired into life, it was onwards through the Great Glen and
alongside Loch Lochy. Striking west at Invergarry we headed
towards another Regularity, complete with views from Carr
Brae, over the picture postcard Eilean Donan Castle.
The Isle of Skye was now within touching distance and,
without missing a beat, the rally was whisked over the Kyle
of Lochalsh, atop the impressive bridge towards the days
airfield Test, the first we’d enjoyed since the morning at
Migori in Kenya during the 2020 Southern Cross Safari.
Rikki Proffitt and Jim Smith took on the role of air traffic
controllers, whilst Dr John Llewellyn and Bob Hargreaves
www.rallytheglobe.com