The Rally2Raise team of Aberdeen’s Rachel Medich and Morecambe’s Katherine Begg enjoyed a very successful end to their rally season when they won the fastest female crew award on the Colin McRae Forest Stages as well as finishing 43rd overall and 6th in class.
The Aberfeldy-based event started with the Craigvinean and Griffin stages and, with the exception of a near miss when half-spinning at a bridge in the opening stage, Rachel and Katherine had a clear run in their Clark Motorsport and DMACK Tyres-supported Nissan Micra 1300.
“The first two stage were pretty slippy so I concentrated on getting through unscathed,” said Rachel. “Despite this we almost hit a bridge in Craigvinean after the rear of the car slid around. Fortunately I got the car stopped just in time.”
After a service halt in Aberfeldy the crews headed to Errochty which, at over 13 miles, was the longest stage of the rally. Rachel and Katherine had another good run and moved 7 places up the leaderboard. Stages in Kindrogan and Black Craig were next and these proved to be very difficult with several crews retiring after going off the road or having mechanical problems. The Rally2Raise Micra powered through with no problems, even catching and passing a car in Black Craig.
“Errochty was my favourite stage of the event, it was great fun. Kindrogan went ok but Black Craig was extremely slippery and there were a few cars off the road so we took it fairly steady in there.”
The rally ended with a second Craigvinean stage. The Micra was very down on power and struggled to get up the hills in the stage but it got through the 11 miles of tracks and made it back to the event finish in Aberfeldy.
“The last stage was difficult for us, we do not have much power so we cannot afford to lose any. The car was spluttering and misfiring and the engine had no pull at all. I was relieved to get to the finish. We think it’s an issue with the fuel pressure so hopefully it can be sorted out. I was delighted to win the award for first female crew home, it’s a really nice way to end my first season as a driver.”
“Thanks to the organisers for the event entry and thanks also to everyone who supported the Rally2Raise charity raffle on Friday.”
Although competing is over for 2012 the Rally2Raise project continues with raffle tickets available from www.rally2raise.co.uk for the prize draw which will take place on 1st December at the SRC awards presentation night. The prize list now includes a large framed photograph signed by Sebastien Loeb, a subscription to Motorsport News, DVDs from Duke, loads of Tunnock’s products, a motorsport figurine from Out of Caricature, mugs from Motorsport Mugs and items signed by Colin McRae, Mikko Hirvonen and Jari-Matti Latvala. All proceeds from the raffle will go to the charities that Rally2Raise is supporting.
Please visit www.rally2raise.co.uk or www.facebook.com/rally2raise for more information on the project.
Sunday 7 October 2012
Tuesday 2 October 2012
Rachel ready for McRae Stages challenge
Rally2Raise team driver Rachel Medich is all set to complete her first season in the driving seat of her DMACK and Clark Motorsport-supported Nissan Micra 1300 at next weekend’s Colin McRae Forest Stages rally.
Rachel, from Aberdeen, and co-driver Katherine Begg are looking to build on their excellent finish in the Merrick Stages rally in early September with another good performance on the Aberfeldy-based event which is the final round of the Scottish Rally Championship.
To support the Rally2Raise project the event organisers, Coltness Car Club, have given the crew an entry to the rally which will help the team raise awareness of their supported charitable causes.
“It is extremely generous of the club to donate an entry to us,” said Rachel. “It’s a rally I have rescued on many times and it is amazing that I will be competing this year.”
“We’ll be aiming to get to the finish as we did on the Merrick, I’m still learning about driving and Katherine has only done one full event on the notes so we’re still beginners. It looks like the route will be very challenging so we’ll be delighted to arrive at the finish in Aberfeldy.”
The rally starts on Saturday morning with the crews facing 45 miles of competition in the forests of Perthshire.
As well as competing the team will be at rally headquarters on Friday (5th October) selling the popular “McRae: Rallying’s Most Spectacular Icon” bookazine as well as tickets to for the Rally2Raise raffle which includes items signed by WRC drivers, a subscription to Motorsport News, DVDs, mugs, a motorsport caricature figurine and framed photographs amongst its prizes.
Rachel, from Aberdeen, and co-driver Katherine Begg are looking to build on their excellent finish in the Merrick Stages rally in early September with another good performance on the Aberfeldy-based event which is the final round of the Scottish Rally Championship.
To support the Rally2Raise project the event organisers, Coltness Car Club, have given the crew an entry to the rally which will help the team raise awareness of their supported charitable causes.
“It is extremely generous of the club to donate an entry to us,” said Rachel. “It’s a rally I have rescued on many times and it is amazing that I will be competing this year.”
“We’ll be aiming to get to the finish as we did on the Merrick, I’m still learning about driving and Katherine has only done one full event on the notes so we’re still beginners. It looks like the route will be very challenging so we’ll be delighted to arrive at the finish in Aberfeldy.”
The rally starts on Saturday morning with the crews facing 45 miles of competition in the forests of Perthshire.
As well as competing the team will be at rally headquarters on Friday (5th October) selling the popular “McRae: Rallying’s Most Spectacular Icon” bookazine as well as tickets to for the Rally2Raise raffle which includes items signed by WRC drivers, a subscription to Motorsport News, DVDs, mugs, a motorsport caricature figurine and framed photographs amongst its prizes.
Sunday 2 September 2012
Magnificent Merrick for Rally2Raise
Rally2Raise crew Rachel Medich and Katherine Begg joined the likes of Colin McRae on the list of winners of the ‘man of the rally’ award on last weekend’s Ian Broll Merrick Stages. The girls finished second in class on the rally on what was only their second competitive event together and only Katherine’s second event ever.
With no means of towing the car Rachel was forced to drive her Clark Motorsport and Dmack Tyres-supported Nissan Micra 250 miles from her home in Aberdeen to the event base in Wigtown. After a successful test on Friday they started the opening stage of the event with the objective of completing the rally with the car in once piece.
Despite very wet conditions stage one went well and the girls headed to the 19 mile second stage in Glen Trool in a confident mood. Rachel was enjoying the fast and flowing stage but unfortunately another crew had an accident near the stage finish so they were forced to stop just before the end.
“I was feeling nervous before the first stage,” said Rachel. “I think having to drive the car home after the event added pressure on us to get to the finish but once we were in the stage things went well.”
“Glen Trool was fantastic, I really enjoyed it. It’s a shame we didn’t get to do the full 19 miles but we completed around 18.”
Another two stages completed the rally and Rachel and Katherine had a good run through them both to finish the event second in class. As well as successfully completing the rally the girls also raised around £350 for the charities that Rally2Raise is supporting this year.
“I’m absolutely delighted to have finished the event,” said Medich. “We may not have been the quickest but our plan for the rally was to get to the end, especially as I’d to drive the car home afterwards!.”
“Thank you very much to everyone who supported the Rally2Raise charities and also to the organisers for inviting us to compete. Thanks also to David Wright’s team for checking the car over in service – as well as no trailer we also didn’t have a service crew or any parts!”
“Winning the ‘man of the rally’ award was completely unexpected and we’re honoured to join some of the most well-known names in Scottish rallying on the trophy.”
The Rally2Raise team’s next event will be the Knockhill Speedfair next weekend. Please visit www.rally2raise.co.uk or www.facebook.com/rally2raise for more information.
With no means of towing the car Rachel was forced to drive her Clark Motorsport and Dmack Tyres-supported Nissan Micra 250 miles from her home in Aberdeen to the event base in Wigtown. After a successful test on Friday they started the opening stage of the event with the objective of completing the rally with the car in once piece.
Despite very wet conditions stage one went well and the girls headed to the 19 mile second stage in Glen Trool in a confident mood. Rachel was enjoying the fast and flowing stage but unfortunately another crew had an accident near the stage finish so they were forced to stop just before the end.
“I was feeling nervous before the first stage,” said Rachel. “I think having to drive the car home after the event added pressure on us to get to the finish but once we were in the stage things went well.”
“Glen Trool was fantastic, I really enjoyed it. It’s a shame we didn’t get to do the full 19 miles but we completed around 18.”
Another two stages completed the rally and Rachel and Katherine had a good run through them both to finish the event second in class. As well as successfully completing the rally the girls also raised around £350 for the charities that Rally2Raise is supporting this year.
“I’m absolutely delighted to have finished the event,” said Medich. “We may not have been the quickest but our plan for the rally was to get to the end, especially as I’d to drive the car home afterwards!.”
“Thank you very much to everyone who supported the Rally2Raise charities and also to the organisers for inviting us to compete. Thanks also to David Wright’s team for checking the car over in service – as well as no trailer we also didn’t have a service crew or any parts!”
“Winning the ‘man of the rally’ award was completely unexpected and we’re honoured to join some of the most well-known names in Scottish rallying on the trophy.”
The Rally2Raise team’s next event will be the Knockhill Speedfair next weekend. Please visit www.rally2raise.co.uk or www.facebook.com/rally2raise for more information.
Saturday 25 August 2012
Rally2Raise team ready for Merrick rally challenge
The Rally2Raise charity project team will travel to Wigtown next weekend to take part in round 7 of the Scottish Rally Championship, the Jim Broll Merrick Stages.
Driver Rachel Medich, from Aberdeen, and co-driver Katherine Begg, from Morecambe will contest the event in their Clark Motorsport and DMack Tyres-supported Nissan Micra after the rally organising team of Machars Car Club and the Scottish Sporting Car Club generously gave them a free entry.
The Rally2Raise project is raising funds and awareness for the Nystagmus Network, the Joanne Bingley Memorial Foundation for post-natal depression, the MS Society and Cancer Research UK and so far this year almost £2,000 has been raised thanks to generous donations from the rallying community.
“The project has gone really well,” said Rachel. “We’ve had tremendous support at the events we’ve attended and I’m sure that will continue next weekend. The organisers of the Merrick have been very generous in helping Rally2Raise and I really cannot wait to take part in the rally.”
“It looks like it will be a tough event, there is an 18 mile long stage in Glen Trool forest which will be a huge test as it’s a lot longer than anything I have driven competitively before but I am up for the challenge!”
Rally Manager Allan Marshall said: "We are delighted to have Rally2Raise as our nominated charity for this year's Merrick. The team are raising funds for such very good causes. Hopefully our efforts will help them in reaching their target".
The rally starts from Wigtown on Saturday morning with the crews facing four tough stages in the Galloway forests.
Please visit www.rally2raise.co.uk or www.facebook.com/rally2raise for more information on the Rally2Raise project.
Driver Rachel Medich, from Aberdeen, and co-driver Katherine Begg, from Morecambe will contest the event in their Clark Motorsport and DMack Tyres-supported Nissan Micra after the rally organising team of Machars Car Club and the Scottish Sporting Car Club generously gave them a free entry.
The Rally2Raise project is raising funds and awareness for the Nystagmus Network, the Joanne Bingley Memorial Foundation for post-natal depression, the MS Society and Cancer Research UK and so far this year almost £2,000 has been raised thanks to generous donations from the rallying community.
“The project has gone really well,” said Rachel. “We’ve had tremendous support at the events we’ve attended and I’m sure that will continue next weekend. The organisers of the Merrick have been very generous in helping Rally2Raise and I really cannot wait to take part in the rally.”
“It looks like it will be a tough event, there is an 18 mile long stage in Glen Trool forest which will be a huge test as it’s a lot longer than anything I have driven competitively before but I am up for the challenge!”
Rally Manager Allan Marshall said: "We are delighted to have Rally2Raise as our nominated charity for this year's Merrick. The team are raising funds for such very good causes. Hopefully our efforts will help them in reaching their target".
The rally starts from Wigtown on Saturday morning with the crews facing four tough stages in the Galloway forests.
Please visit www.rally2raise.co.uk or www.facebook.com/rally2raise for more information on the Rally2Raise project.
Monday 6 August 2012
Successful Speyside Stages for Rally2Raise team
The Rally2Raise team of Rachel Medich and Katherine Begg enjoyed a very successful Speyside Stages rally last weekend when they had a troublefree run through the three stages they had been allocated to complete as well as raising over £340 for the four charities that the Rally2Raise project is supporting.
The Elgin-based event was round six of the Scottish Rally Championship and the organisers, 63 Car Club, had invited Rachel and Katherine to drive some of the stages ahead of the competitors as “000” car.
The day started with stages one and two which were held in Cooper Park in Elgin in front of a large number of spectators. The Rally2Raise team had a clear run through the stages in their Clark Motorsport and DMack supported-Nissan Micra, entertaining the crowd with a dramatic lock-up of the tyres as they approached a tight hairpin bend on the course.
The team then headed for the Rosarie stage which was a forest test near the town of Keith. Despite having to use a map rather than pacenotes the girls negotiated the very slippery stage well and made it to the finish without a mark on the car.
“I was pleased to get through the stages unscathed,” said Rachel. “It was first time Katherine and myself had driven on an event since our accident on the Granite City rally so we were both quite nervous before the start. It went really well though and we both had a very enjoyable time.”
“We were absolutely delighted to find that we had received over £340 in donations from the spectators and officials of the rally, a huge thank you to everyone who supported us and our four causes and thanks also to the 63 Car Club for letting us run on the event.”
The Rally2Raise car’s next scheduled appearance is at the Merrick Stages in South West Scotland which takes place on 1st September.
Please visit www.rally2raise.co.uk or www.facebook.com/rally2raise for more information on the project or to make a donation to the charities the project is supporting.
The Elgin-based event was round six of the Scottish Rally Championship and the organisers, 63 Car Club, had invited Rachel and Katherine to drive some of the stages ahead of the competitors as “000” car.
The day started with stages one and two which were held in Cooper Park in Elgin in front of a large number of spectators. The Rally2Raise team had a clear run through the stages in their Clark Motorsport and DMack supported-Nissan Micra, entertaining the crowd with a dramatic lock-up of the tyres as they approached a tight hairpin bend on the course.
The team then headed for the Rosarie stage which was a forest test near the town of Keith. Despite having to use a map rather than pacenotes the girls negotiated the very slippery stage well and made it to the finish without a mark on the car.
“I was pleased to get through the stages unscathed,” said Rachel. “It was first time Katherine and myself had driven on an event since our accident on the Granite City rally so we were both quite nervous before the start. It went really well though and we both had a very enjoyable time.”
“We were absolutely delighted to find that we had received over £340 in donations from the spectators and officials of the rally, a huge thank you to everyone who supported us and our four causes and thanks also to the 63 Car Club for letting us run on the event.”
The Rally2Raise car’s next scheduled appearance is at the Merrick Stages in South West Scotland which takes place on 1st September.
Please visit www.rally2raise.co.uk or www.facebook.com/rally2raise for more information on the project or to make a donation to the charities the project is supporting.
Monday 30 July 2012
Rally2Raise team set for Speyside Stages
Rally2Raise crew Rachel Medich, from Aberdeen, and Katherine Begg, from Morecambe, will continue their charity funds and awareness raising venture next weekend when they attend the Speyside Stages rally in their Clark Motorsport and DMack tyres-supported Nissan Micra.
The girls will use the Micra on the very popular Cooper Park spectator stage in Elgin as well as selected gravel stages.
The Rally2Raise project has so far raised over £1,500 for the four charitable causes it is supporting: the Nystagmus Network, the Joanne Bingley Memorial Foundation, the MS Society and Cancer Research UK. A bucket collection will take place in Cooper Park to try and boost the total further.
“I am really looking forward to the Speyside,” said Rachel. “The Cooper Park stage is always packed with spectators so it is a great opportunity to raise awareness of Rally2Raise and our four causes. It is really good of the organisers to let us run on the event.”
“We tested the car recently on a forest track and that went really well so hopefully we can have a good run next weekend in the little Micra and also help our charities.”
As well as the Speyside the Rally2Raise team have confirmed attendance at the Merrick Stages and Saltire Rally Club Knockhill Speedfair in September.
For more information on Rally2Raise please visit www.rally2raise.co.uk.
The girls will use the Micra on the very popular Cooper Park spectator stage in Elgin as well as selected gravel stages.
The Rally2Raise project has so far raised over £1,500 for the four charitable causes it is supporting: the Nystagmus Network, the Joanne Bingley Memorial Foundation, the MS Society and Cancer Research UK. A bucket collection will take place in Cooper Park to try and boost the total further.
“I am really looking forward to the Speyside,” said Rachel. “The Cooper Park stage is always packed with spectators so it is a great opportunity to raise awareness of Rally2Raise and our four causes. It is really good of the organisers to let us run on the event.”
“We tested the car recently on a forest track and that went really well so hopefully we can have a good run next weekend in the little Micra and also help our charities.”
As well as the Speyside the Rally2Raise team have confirmed attendance at the Merrick Stages and Saltire Rally Club Knockhill Speedfair in September.
For more information on Rally2Raise please visit www.rally2raise.co.uk.
Monday 21 May 2012
Rachel returns to rally action
Rachel used the Rally2Raise Micra as course car on the Stravaigers Lodge Gravel Sprint near Fort Augustus last Saturday.
She had no problems at all during the six runs of the course and would like to thank the organisers for the opportunity to get back out in the car after the Granite City rally accident.
She had no problems at all during the six runs of the course and would like to thank the organisers for the opportunity to get back out in the car after the Granite City rally accident.
Tuesday 17 April 2012
Granite City rally
Rachel and Katherine took part in the Coltel Granite City last Saturday in their Nissan Micra. As has been widely reported the car left the road and, while spectators were trying to get the car back onto the track, another car went off at the same spot and collided with some of the spectators. The rally rescue and medical services were promptly at the scene and the injured spectators were taken to hospital.
The girls have been to visit the injured guys in hospital and we are pleased to say that they are in good spirits and starting to recover from their injuries.
We would like to thank everyone who helped at the scene and who has sent us messages of support following the incident. It was a very unfortunate accident and we wish David, Joe, Jonny and Kenny a speedy recovery and we hope that Simon and Daniel in the other car are back out on the stages soon.
The girls have been to visit the injured guys in hospital and we are pleased to say that they are in good spirits and starting to recover from their injuries.
We would like to thank everyone who helped at the scene and who has sent us messages of support following the incident. It was a very unfortunate accident and we wish David, Joe, Jonny and Kenny a speedy recovery and we hope that Simon and Daniel in the other car are back out on the stages soon.
Tuesday 10 April 2012
Medich and Begg ready to rock on Granite City rally
The Rally2Raise Nissan Micra will contest its third event next weekend (14th April) when driver Rachel Medich and co-driver Katherine Begg take part in the Coltel Granite City rally.
The event will be the first time Katherine has ever competed but she has had intensive training from Rachel who, up until this year, was usually to be found in the co-driver’s seat.
"As the day draws nearer to my first competitive event the nerves are obviously kicking in but at the same time I’m also very excited to be part of Rally2Raise and all it is setting out to achieve, especially the awareness raising of causes very dear to me personally," said Katherine. "I am normally with a rescue unit at rallies so it is going to be extremely weird being in a rally car rather than sitting in the unit watching, and sometime rescuing, them."
"Rachel has given me loads of tuition so hopefully I will be ok once we get going and I’m sure it will turn out to be very enjoyable."
The organisers of rally, Aberdeen and District Motor Club, have generously donated an entry to the event for the Rally2Raise team and DMACK tyres will support the distinctive yellow and blue Micra on the event along with Clark Motorsport.
Rachel commented: "It was a fantastic offer by the organisers to give the team an entry. The Coltel Granite City rally is my local event and it will be an honour to take part. The support from DMACK is very appreciated also, the Micra’s forest tyres were looking a bit worse for wear after the Saltire Classic rally we did so it will be great to have new rubber for the Granite."
"We have had some really good press coverage locally and getting the car out on the event will help raise even more awareness for the Rally2Raise project and our four supported causes – the Nystagmus Network, the Joanne Bingley Memorial Foundation for post-natal depression, Cancer Research UK and the MS Society."
The rally will be based near Inverurie with around 44 miles of competitive action in the forests of Kincardineshire.
The event will be the first time Katherine has ever competed but she has had intensive training from Rachel who, up until this year, was usually to be found in the co-driver’s seat.
"As the day draws nearer to my first competitive event the nerves are obviously kicking in but at the same time I’m also very excited to be part of Rally2Raise and all it is setting out to achieve, especially the awareness raising of causes very dear to me personally," said Katherine. "I am normally with a rescue unit at rallies so it is going to be extremely weird being in a rally car rather than sitting in the unit watching, and sometime rescuing, them."
"Rachel has given me loads of tuition so hopefully I will be ok once we get going and I’m sure it will turn out to be very enjoyable."
The organisers of rally, Aberdeen and District Motor Club, have generously donated an entry to the event for the Rally2Raise team and DMACK tyres will support the distinctive yellow and blue Micra on the event along with Clark Motorsport.
Rachel commented: "It was a fantastic offer by the organisers to give the team an entry. The Coltel Granite City rally is my local event and it will be an honour to take part. The support from DMACK is very appreciated also, the Micra’s forest tyres were looking a bit worse for wear after the Saltire Classic rally we did so it will be great to have new rubber for the Granite."
"We have had some really good press coverage locally and getting the car out on the event will help raise even more awareness for the Rally2Raise project and our four supported causes – the Nystagmus Network, the Joanne Bingley Memorial Foundation for post-natal depression, Cancer Research UK and the MS Society."
The rally will be based near Inverurie with around 44 miles of competitive action in the forests of Kincardineshire.
Tuesday 27 March 2012
Rally2Raise get Merrick backing
The Rally2Raise charity project is delighted to announce that it will be supported by the Merrick Forest Stages Rally this year.
The project, founded by rally competitor and rescue volunteer Rachel Medich, is using rallying to help raise funds and awareness for four charities - Cancer Research UK, the Nystagmus Network, the MS Society and the Joanne Bingley Memorial Foundation for post-natal depression.
The "Merrick" will be offering navigator-turned-driver Rachel a free entry to the September 1st event, which will again be based in Wigtown in South West Scotland. The rally will be the penultimate round of the MSA Scottish Rally Championship.
Competitors on the event will be invited to make a donation to the project when they enter online through the event website.
"We are delighted to name Rally2Raise as our nominated charity for this year's Merrick", said Rally Manager Allan Marshall: "Rachel and the girls are raising funds for such very good causes. Hopefully our efforts will help them in reaching their target".
Rachel Medich commented: “The support that the Merrick organisers have offered Rally2Raise is absolutely fantastic and it will greatly assist us in achieving our goals of raising funds and awareness. The project is really taking off now and we have lots of exciting things planned for the forthcoming months.”
Please visit www.rally2raise.co.uk or www.facebook.com/rally2raise for more information on the project. Donations can be made online via uk.virginmoneygiving.com/rally2raise.
The project, founded by rally competitor and rescue volunteer Rachel Medich, is using rallying to help raise funds and awareness for four charities - Cancer Research UK, the Nystagmus Network, the MS Society and the Joanne Bingley Memorial Foundation for post-natal depression.
The "Merrick" will be offering navigator-turned-driver Rachel a free entry to the September 1st event, which will again be based in Wigtown in South West Scotland. The rally will be the penultimate round of the MSA Scottish Rally Championship.
Competitors on the event will be invited to make a donation to the project when they enter online through the event website.
"We are delighted to name Rally2Raise as our nominated charity for this year's Merrick", said Rally Manager Allan Marshall: "Rachel and the girls are raising funds for such very good causes. Hopefully our efforts will help them in reaching their target".
Rachel Medich commented: “The support that the Merrick organisers have offered Rally2Raise is absolutely fantastic and it will greatly assist us in achieving our goals of raising funds and awareness. The project is really taking off now and we have lots of exciting things planned for the forthcoming months.”
Please visit www.rally2raise.co.uk or www.facebook.com/rally2raise for more information on the project. Donations can be made online via uk.virginmoneygiving.com/rally2raise.
Wednesday 7 March 2012
Cones, slaloms and bouncy whites!
We loaded the car and set off from Aberdeen on Saturday, arriving at Dunkeld in time for scrutineering and signing on. Sailing through these we headed off to peruse the maps and get our heads into rally mode.
Sunday morning dawned, a bit overcast but not as bad as predicted. We had a hearty full Scottish breakfast and went to get the car fuelled. Unfortunately the local garage didn't open until 9am, our leaving time for the first test! Luckily the organiser, Colin Wallace, assured me we'd manage the mileage to Pitlochry and six tests on the fuel we had. He was right!
What can I say about the tests? Well, test 1 was hilarious. Anyone who's driven a rally car before will know that lock to lock on the steering consists of about one turn. So a test involving manoeuvring round cones in small spaces would mean many, many shunts. Cue a clever comment from my future husband "wouldn't it be funny if I hadn't installed power steering?"…No Barry, it would be downright annoying! And heavy! Never the less, test 1 was brilliant, I loved every single shunt of it.
Test 2 was more like a special stage/hill climb. A steep ascent followed by a descent with cones either side of the road where you have to stop astride, or in my case pull a skiddy and stop with the cone at shoulder level… then giggle, thumbs up to the marshal, giggle again then set off. O-kaaaaay!
Tests 4,5 and 6 happened in quick succession and were equally brilliant. Wiping the grin off my face was going to take some doing! I'd done many, many WD's (wrong directions) by this point, including adding in a reverse manoeuvre in our own interpretation of the test diagram. But we were having the best fun in a long time.
The next test followed a regularity section, of course we weren't sticking to that one so we could get to test 7 via the fuel station. The roads used for the regularity would have made a pretty cool stage themselves!
I made a hash of test 7 at the Edradour Distillery, being obsessed with a barrel I wasn't allowed to go around until lap 2. But we got round and I learnt a new direction... slalom. I like slalom. It means a quick wiggle on the steering wheel and managing to avoid whatever we're slaloming through. I didn't realise the Edradour Distillery was the smallest in Scotland, so not only did I learn how to slalom the car, I learnt that too!
After test 7 we headed towards Tummel Bridge and test 8. This was brilliant, a blast down a grassy lane, a handbrake turn round a cone and a blast back. I didn't even have to steer as the track pulled the car round on its own! A fact I shared with Mags and I don't think she was impressed.
Test 12, Dunalastair, was probably my second favourite of the day, it was a mini special stage and included a pretty cool old ruin to drive round. I really had fun on that one!!! Test 13 was a nice run up a farm track and it preceded a road section with the whitest white roads I had ever seen which I thoroughly enjoyed bouncing along. Luckily we had someone behind us to close the gates!
Another trip to the Edradour Distillery followed and we aced it that time, then a regularity over yet more scenic roads. The last test was another visit to the wood yard then a short road section to the finish. I could easily have gone round again. It was definitely the most fun I've had on a rally for a long time.
A massive thank you has to go to Colin Wallace and all the officials of the rally, all marshals and of course everyone who donated to Rally2Raise. At last count we were told over £400 was raised, absolutely amazing!
I highly recommend this event to everyone and would love to return next year if they'll have us.
Fundraising boost for Rally2Raise at Saltire Classic rally
The Rally2Raise team took part in their second event of 2012 last weekend when they ran their Nissan Micra on the Edradour Saltire Classic rally.
The Birnam-based event was organised by the Saltire Rally Club, who have nominated Rally2Raise as their chosen charitable cause for this year, and it consisted of 16 tests and three regularity sections on a route around the area of Pitlochry and Loch Tummel.
The tests provided good experience for driver Rachel Medich as they consisted of a mix of surfaces including tarmac, gravel and muddy tracks, enabling Rachel to learn more about how the car handled in preparation for future events.
Rachel completed all the tests in her Clark Motorsport-supported car which performed faultlessly all day.
“It was a brilliant event, I enjoyed every minute of it,” said Rachel. “The tests were fantastic and great fun. My favourite was one which ran around a quarry on gravel, I could really throw the car around there and it was very useful experience for driving on forest rallies.”
At the awards ceremony at the end of the event organiser Colin Wallace announced that over £400 had been raised by the event for the four Rally2Raise causes - Cancer Research UK, the Nystagmus Network, the MS Society and the Joanne Bingley Memorial Foundation.
“I am very grateful to Colin, all the organisers and marshals, the competitors and event sponsor Edradour, to raise over £400 is fantastic and I am sure our four causes will be delighted.”
The next event for the Rally2Raise team is likely to be the Granite City rally in April where Rachel will be joined by Katherine Begg who will co-drive on her first ever rally. Please visit http://www.rally2raise.co.uk or http://www.facebook.com/rally2raise for more information on the project. Donations can be made online via http://uk.virginmoneygiving.com/rally2raise.
The Birnam-based event was organised by the Saltire Rally Club, who have nominated Rally2Raise as their chosen charitable cause for this year, and it consisted of 16 tests and three regularity sections on a route around the area of Pitlochry and Loch Tummel.
The tests provided good experience for driver Rachel Medich as they consisted of a mix of surfaces including tarmac, gravel and muddy tracks, enabling Rachel to learn more about how the car handled in preparation for future events.
Rachel completed all the tests in her Clark Motorsport-supported car which performed faultlessly all day.
“It was a brilliant event, I enjoyed every minute of it,” said Rachel. “The tests were fantastic and great fun. My favourite was one which ran around a quarry on gravel, I could really throw the car around there and it was very useful experience for driving on forest rallies.”
At the awards ceremony at the end of the event organiser Colin Wallace announced that over £400 had been raised by the event for the four Rally2Raise causes - Cancer Research UK, the Nystagmus Network, the MS Society and the Joanne Bingley Memorial Foundation.
“I am very grateful to Colin, all the organisers and marshals, the competitors and event sponsor Edradour, to raise over £400 is fantastic and I am sure our four causes will be delighted.”
The next event for the Rally2Raise team is likely to be the Granite City rally in April where Rachel will be joined by Katherine Begg who will co-drive on her first ever rally. Please visit http://www.rally2raise.co.uk or http://www.facebook.com/rally2raise for more information on the project. Donations can be made online via http://uk.virginmoneygiving.com/rally2raise.
Wednesday 22 February 2012
Rally2Raise team enjoy successful Snowman rally
The Rally2Raise charity fund and awareness raising team enjoyed a very successful Snowman rally last weekend when they debuted their Nissan Micra rally car and collected a generous amount of money for their four causes.
The Highland Car Club-organised event was the opening round of the Scottish Rally Championship and the club agreed to let Rally2Raise project founder Rachel Medich drive as course car on one of the rally stages.
Rachel, from near Aberdeen, is usually found in the co-driver’s seat and the Snowman was her first experience of driving a rally car in the forest. Despite the forest track being extremely slippery Rachel kept the car on the road and made three good runs of the stage.
"I loved every second of the driving practice I got, it was great fun," said Rachel. "A huge thank you to Highland Car Club and all the marshals, officials, rescue, doctors, recovery and radio crews for allowing us to get out and raise vital funds and awareness for our causes."
"We had one moment where we nearly left the road as it was extremely slippy but fortunately we did not crash."
As well as driving the stage Rachel had a bucket collection at the event which raised £191.99 for the four Rally2Raise causes: the Nystagmus Network, Cancer Research UK, the MS Society and the Joanne Bingley Memorial Foundation.
"The people at the rally were very generous, I’m delighted to have raised so much with our buckets, thank you very much to everyone who contributed."
The team will next be out on the Saltire Classic Rally on March 4th. They will be running the Micra ahead of a field of classic cars on a route which takes in some beautiful countryside around Pitlochry. Please visit http://www.rally2raise.co.uk or http://www.facebook.com/rally2raise for more information on the project. Donations can be made online via http://uk.virginmoneygiving.com/rally2raise.
The Highland Car Club-organised event was the opening round of the Scottish Rally Championship and the club agreed to let Rally2Raise project founder Rachel Medich drive as course car on one of the rally stages.
Rachel, from near Aberdeen, is usually found in the co-driver’s seat and the Snowman was her first experience of driving a rally car in the forest. Despite the forest track being extremely slippery Rachel kept the car on the road and made three good runs of the stage.
"I loved every second of the driving practice I got, it was great fun," said Rachel. "A huge thank you to Highland Car Club and all the marshals, officials, rescue, doctors, recovery and radio crews for allowing us to get out and raise vital funds and awareness for our causes."
"We had one moment where we nearly left the road as it was extremely slippy but fortunately we did not crash."
As well as driving the stage Rachel had a bucket collection at the event which raised £191.99 for the four Rally2Raise causes: the Nystagmus Network, Cancer Research UK, the MS Society and the Joanne Bingley Memorial Foundation.
"The people at the rally were very generous, I’m delighted to have raised so much with our buckets, thank you very much to everyone who contributed."
The team will next be out on the Saltire Classic Rally on March 4th. They will be running the Micra ahead of a field of classic cars on a route which takes in some beautiful countryside around Pitlochry. Please visit http://www.rally2raise.co.uk or http://www.facebook.com/rally2raise for more information on the project. Donations can be made online via http://uk.virginmoneygiving.com/rally2raise.
Saturday 11 February 2012
Rally2Raise to receive support from Saltire Rally Club
The Rally2Raise charity project has had some good news to kick off 2012 with its selection to receive support from the Saltire Rally Club.
The project, founded by rally competitor Rachel Medich, aims to use rallying to raise funds and awareness of four causes: the Nystagmus Network, the Joanne Bingley Memorial Foundation for post natal depression, Cancer Research UK and the MS Society. Rachel and her fellow team members will be undertaking a number of fundraising events throughout 2012 both on and off the stages with the first rally event of the year scheduled to be the Edradour Saltire Classic Rally in March where she will run as course car in her Clark Motorsport-supported Nissan Micra.
"I am very happy that the Saltire Rally Club have selected Rally2Raise as their chosen charitable cause for 2012," said Rachel. "Their Saltire Classic Rally will be the first time I have used my car on an event and I cannot wait for the rally to take place."
"We have had a good start to the project with a cake and cookie sale at the Mull Rally and a fundraising calendar. We’re aiming to build on that in 2012 and raise plenty of funds and awareness for our four charities."
Colin Wallace of the Saltire Rally Club commented: "We are delighted to support Rally2Raise, the four charities it is aiding are all very worthy and to wrap these causes into one support mechanism through rallying is superb."
The Edradour Saltire Classic Rally will take place on Sunday 4th March 2012 with a 95 mile route in the Scottish Highlands including 18 special tests and four regularities. Further information can be obtained from www.saltireclassicrally.co.uk.
Please visit www.rally2raise.co.uk for more information on Rally2Raise including how to make a donation online.
The project, founded by rally competitor Rachel Medich, aims to use rallying to raise funds and awareness of four causes: the Nystagmus Network, the Joanne Bingley Memorial Foundation for post natal depression, Cancer Research UK and the MS Society. Rachel and her fellow team members will be undertaking a number of fundraising events throughout 2012 both on and off the stages with the first rally event of the year scheduled to be the Edradour Saltire Classic Rally in March where she will run as course car in her Clark Motorsport-supported Nissan Micra.
"I am very happy that the Saltire Rally Club have selected Rally2Raise as their chosen charitable cause for 2012," said Rachel. "Their Saltire Classic Rally will be the first time I have used my car on an event and I cannot wait for the rally to take place."
"We have had a good start to the project with a cake and cookie sale at the Mull Rally and a fundraising calendar. We’re aiming to build on that in 2012 and raise plenty of funds and awareness for our four charities."
Colin Wallace of the Saltire Rally Club commented: "We are delighted to support Rally2Raise, the four charities it is aiding are all very worthy and to wrap these causes into one support mechanism through rallying is superb."
The Edradour Saltire Classic Rally will take place on Sunday 4th March 2012 with a 95 mile route in the Scottish Highlands including 18 special tests and four regularities. Further information can be obtained from www.saltireclassicrally.co.uk.
Please visit www.rally2raise.co.uk for more information on Rally2Raise including how to make a donation online.
Wednesday 1 February 2012
Rally2Raise team all set for Snowman rally
The all-female Rally2Raise team will continue their charity funds and awareness raising venture this month when they attend the Arnold Clark/Thistle Hotel Snowman rally, the opening round of the Scottish Rally Championship, on 18th February.
The organisers of the Inverness-based event, Highland Car Club, are supporting the project by allowing the Rally2Raise Nissan Micra to run ahead of the competitors on one of the rally’s stages as well as giving space at the signing-on venue for the team to promote their four causes: the Nystagmus Network, the Joanne Bingley Memorial Foundation for post-natal depression, Cancer Research UK and the MS Society.
The event will be the first time that project founder Rachel Medich has driven on a rally – she is usually to be found in the co-driver’s seat.
“I am delighted that the Snowman rally organisers are helping us to promote Rally2Raise,” commented Rachel. “It’s going to be a daunting challenge driving a rally car in the woods for the first time but hopefully it will all go well and we’ll make more people aware of the charities that we are supporting.”
“This will be the first of a few events we will be part of in 2012 so keep an eye out for our little yellow and blue Micra on the stages!”
For more information on the Rally2Raise project please visit www.rally2raise.co.uk or www.facebook.com/rally2raise.
The organisers of the Inverness-based event, Highland Car Club, are supporting the project by allowing the Rally2Raise Nissan Micra to run ahead of the competitors on one of the rally’s stages as well as giving space at the signing-on venue for the team to promote their four causes: the Nystagmus Network, the Joanne Bingley Memorial Foundation for post-natal depression, Cancer Research UK and the MS Society.
The event will be the first time that project founder Rachel Medich has driven on a rally – she is usually to be found in the co-driver’s seat.
“I am delighted that the Snowman rally organisers are helping us to promote Rally2Raise,” commented Rachel. “It’s going to be a daunting challenge driving a rally car in the woods for the first time but hopefully it will all go well and we’ll make more people aware of the charities that we are supporting.”
“This will be the first of a few events we will be part of in 2012 so keep an eye out for our little yellow and blue Micra on the stages!”
For more information on the Rally2Raise project please visit www.rally2raise.co.uk or www.facebook.com/rally2raise.
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)