Crash claims media team on Colin McRae Forest Stages

The  Castrol  /  ProSpeed  team  succumbed  to  wet  and  treacherous  conditions  on  the  hills around Perth when Sky Sports presenter Tony Jardine and his guest co-driver, Motor Sport Magazine editor Damien Smith, smashed into the rocks on the notorious Errochty test during the Colin McRae Forest Stages Rally (Saturday 3 October).

Smith was competing on the event in order to settle unfinished business, having retired on his rally  debut  with  Jardine  on  the  Swansea  Bay  Rally  a  year  earlier.  The  lure  of  the  famous McRae name drew him to make his return in Scotland.

On a rally in which even newly-crowned Intercontinental Rally Challenge (IRC) Champion Kris Meeke failed to finish, and a crew had to be cut out of their Vauxhall Nova on the first stage of the day, Jardine and Smith were frustrated by disruptions and ever-changing conditions.

Smith said, “After a difficult start to our rally we began to settle down to a good pace on the second stage, Drummond Hill, only for a red flag caused by a rolled Escort Mk II to stop us in our  tracks.  We got back into a rhythm on the next stage only for a fast left-hander to catch Tony out. It was disappointing not to make the finish but once again the ProSpeed team have given me an experience I will never forget.”

Jardine said, “The Colin McRae Stages was a very challenging event, just as the great man himself  would  have  wished.  Damien  had  his  hands  full  trying  to  navigate  and  call  the  pace notes as the scenery and surface changed so rapidly in the pouring rain and team technician Andy Beale had to lower the pressures on our Kumho tyres to give us better grip in the mud.

“During  the  weekend  we  even  got  into  trouble  with  the  law  at  one  point  after  a  couple  of navigational misdemeanours caused us to be escorted back to the service area by two police motorcycle patrol men! I reckon Damien was relieved when we crashed out as his purgatory was over!”

ProSpeed  boss  Olly  Marshall  said  after  the  long  rescue  operation  to  retrieve  the  stricken Castrol Fiesta from the remote Scottish hills late on Saturday night, “Tony doesn’t often crash. He and Damien had finally got into their stride after all the disruptions and they were pushing a bit too hard, as often happens in rallying. We were relieved that they were both uninjured, and the car will live to fight another day.”

The Castrol / ProSpeed team will be back in action on the Cheviot Rally when Tom Cary, from the Daily Telegraph, resumes his co-driving duties in two weeks time.

Motor Sport Magazine editor to settle unfinished business on legendary Colin McRae Forest Stages Rally

Sky motorsports presenter Tony Jardine will return to his Scottish family roots this weekend (Saturday 3 October) as he makes his debut on the legendary Colin McRae Forest Stages Rally near Perth in Scotland. The event is supported by the famous rally family of the late World Rally Champion Colin McRae and his multi-rally Champion father Jimmy McRae, who is set to advise Jardine and the ProSpeed team on the challenging stages.

Motor Sport Magazine editor Damien Smith will be navigating on only his second ever rally, both times co-driving for Jardine. Smith will be replacing the Daily Telegraph’s F1 correspondent, Tom Cary, who is currently on Grand Prix duty in Japan before resuming his campaign with the Castrol / ProSpeed team to become a fully fledged international co-driver for Rally Scotland in November, the final round of the Intercontinental Rally Challenge (IRC).

Substitute Smith proved to be the most nervous journalist navigator the team had encountered, prior to his first event last year. However, as soon as the Swansea Bay Rally 2008 got underway, the Motor Sport editor performed well from the navigator’s seat, helping the Kumho shod car to second in class until a shock mechanical retirement.

Smith commented on his debut last year, “I have to admit I was worried and I couldn’t sleep the night before, but when we started I was OK. I had calmed my nerves and we were flying, challenging for the class lead when we ground to a halt with transmission problems. The Colin McRae Stages is not just a chance to meet and interview five times British Champion Jimmy McRae, this is also about unfinished business. I want a podium finish!”

For Jardine, this event will draw him back to his family roots and relatives still living in the Dumfries area. Jardine said, “I have always wanted to compete on this event, now more so because of my memories of Colin McRae who I worked with in his early Subaru years. His father Jimmy has always been helpful with my own rally career and has kindly invited me to join the Colin McRae Forest Stages rally forum panel on the Friday night before the rally. It will be a privilege to take part this weekend.”

In addition, there is another important reason why the Castrol / ProSpeed team are to compete in this event, as ProSpeed boss Olly Marshall explains, “Whilst it’s great to welcome Damien back to the hot seat alongside Tony, he also has an important job to do for his fellow journalist Tom Cary for when he returns to the team. Some of the stages on this rally form the basis of Rally Scotland in November, a number of which haven’t been used for twenty years! It is vital for Damien to make accurate notes and gather as much information as possible for Tom, who will need all the help he can get when he makes his international debut. The Rally Scotlandstages are pretty daunting and some will be held in the dark.

“We are looking forward to receiving advice from Jimmy McRae, as he knows the contours of these stages like the back of his hand.”