Jim Clark Rally returns to its roots

This year’s Jim Clark Rally will return to its roots.

For the past 17 years, the rally has been contested over closed public roads within the county of Berwickshire, but in a change to the format, this year’s event on Sunday 31st May will run on private Forestry Commission gravel roads.

The changes come after three spectators were killed in last year's event, after a car left the road.

This followed a safety review which was set up by the Scottish Government, as well as investigations by Police Scotland, and Scottish Borders Council.

Previously a three day motor sport event, this year’s rally will revert to a one day competition ahead of the 2016 programme.

Clerk of the Course, Colin Smith confirmed the new route:

This will ensure the continuity of a sporting event which can trace its roots back to 1970.

As International Clerk of the Course, Russel Blood, said:

Organisers say the title of the Jim Clark ‘Reivers’ Rally is fitting in this sporting context as it refers back to the unsettled times of the late middle ages when the Border Reivers roamed back and forth across the Scottish/English border. Bands of raiders swept across these troubled lands as far as Biggar in the north and Richmond in the south in the search for food and riches.

Today that rivalry continues, and the rally continues to attract competitors from both sides of the border.

This year’s event will be the fourth round (of 8) of the 2015 ARR Craib Scottish Rally Championship. The entry list opens in early April.