Watch Scots out in force at Rally Barbados

SCOTTISH drivers flew the Saltire flag in fine style at Rally Barbados.

Andy Scott and Laura Connell went on to bag third place overall in a hard-fought and tumultuous event in their Ford Fiesta R5. Although disappointed not to scoop the coveted King of the Hill award, Dumfries-based Andy was thrilled with the end result.

He said: “We have a podium result, which is wonderful. Our main aim was to stay ahead in the Fiesta and the weekend was flawless as we didn’t put a foot wrong until I tried to take the chicane at Vaucluse faster than I had to.”

Just outside the top 10 but pushing hard all the way to the finish was Barry Groundwater and co-driver Michael Hendry in their Mitsubishi Evo X. The pair eventually ended the rally 11th out of 99 finishers to give them something to cheer about back in Aberdeenshire.

Jane Nicol was taking a break in Barbados from her usual duties navigating Andrew Gallacher and her position reigning Scottish Rally Champion to co-drive for Fraser Louden.

They scored a strong 23rd place in their Mitsubishi Lancer Evo 8 and Fraser said: “A huge thanks to everyone, especially Jane for her bravery sitting next to me after my slightly chequered past on this event!”

Unfortunately, the Skye-based duo of Niall Inglis and Kevin MacIntosh didn’t make the finish in their unusual rear-wheel-drive Vauxhall Nova and nor did John Macleod, also from Skye, and his Inverness-based co-driver Nikki Addison in their Talbot Sunbeam.

Andy Forrest on his way to winning round 2 of the Time Attack Championship at Brands Hatch in his Westfield Sei (Steve Jackman (Eat My Pixels))

Meanwhile, Scots speed merchants Andy Forrest and Andrew Barbour were rewarded with podium finishes after making the long trek south to Brands Hatch for round two of the UK Time Attack Championship.

Forrest was in blistering form at the famous Kent venue last Sunday, setting a new Pro Extreme 2WD class lap record of 45.565 seconds in his Westfield Sei to put him atop the podium both in class and overall.

Mitsubishi Evo IX racer Barbour was not too far behind, with a fastest time of 48.220 seconds, which was good enough to give him third place in the Pro Extreme 4WD category and fifth overall.

Andrew Barbour on his way to fifth place overall in round 2 of the Time Attack Championship at Brands Hatch in his Mitsubishi Evo IX (Steve Jackman (Eat My Pixels))