Top drivers will detour into Huntly town centre during next Saturday's Speyside Stages Rally
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ORGANISERS of the Speyside Stages next weekend are to bring a taste of the rally action to the centre of Huntly next Saturday.
Logistics of the event mean that competitors in the rally are required to re-group and while this has previously been achieved in a rural location, this year The Square in Huntly will be the gathering point for the rally cars.
The square will be closed off and from around 1pm, rally cars will arrive for the time control.
The cars will each spend 20 minutes stationary in The Square before heading to the next stage.
David Law, competition secretary for 63 Car Club which hosts the rally said: "It will be a great place to see the cars close up and see how the drivers are doing. We are taking the rally to the public rather than them having to trek off into a forest which isn't always that accessible for people.
"There will be cars coming and going up until about 3pm. Before deciding and applying for the road closures, we assessed things and came to the conclusion that the centre of Huntly is pretty quiet after lunchtime on a Saturday, this will bring people into the town for a look."
Andrew Little, club chairman added: "Only the north side of The Square towards Castle Street will be closed. Diversions will be in place and all the rally drivers are required to abide by road traffic laws out with the special stages in the forests.
"We have an entry of 105 cars from as far away as Germany, Gloucestershire and across Scotland so it's a great showcase."
In addition to The Square there are a number of great access points for spectators.
The rally sets off from Elgin's Cooper Park at 9am.
The Keith Show park will accommodate the rally service area and cars will visit twice for 30 minutes at 11.34am and 2.15pm. The area has spectator access and parking.
The cars will be at Gartly Moor for a forest stage from 12.47pm but spectator access is limited due to windblown trees.
Cars are due at Ordiequish, near Fochabers at 3.41pm for the final forest stage of the event before the rally finish at Moray College at around 4.30pm.
On the eve of the rally,from 3pm, cars will undergo safety scrutineering on Elgin High Street.
Spectator information will be online www.speyside-stages.co.uk.
