Last weekend we returned to the Scottish Rally Championship for the Grampian Forest Rally near Banchory. Unfortunately we missed the Scottish Rally as I had Covid so we missed out on a test and the rally itself. We knew the event was going to be a steep learning curve as I'd only driven the car on gravel once nearly a year ago, plus it was my first event with a new co-driver, Martin.

SRC competitors didn't get a recce for the event but Martin and I went through the pacenotes and DVD several times before the rally to ensure we were happy with the notes. We took it easy for the first couple of stages as I got used to the car on gravel and unfortunately we also lost the flatshift for the first two stages as well as getting a puncture! We were able to get to the end of stage 2 and then change the wheel on the road section, then head back to service where the team were able to change the sensor for the flatshift.

Stages 3 and 4 went really well as I built my confidence up and got used to the notes and the changes in surface. We had a bit of a moment on stage 5 and the stages were a lot more cut up and rutted on stages 5 and 6 as it was the second run through each stage so I was a little more cautious to ensure we got a finish.

We made it back without any further issues and I was delighted to finish 3rd in class M3, 81st overall and 1st in the SRC Ladies. Thank you to Martin for sitting in and doing an excellent job on the notes and keeping me calm, and to FJ-RS Engineering for doing a great job looking after JIG.

A big thank you as well to our partners, Morris Lubricants, Demon Tweeks Motorsport and Carbon Positive Motorsport. Next up for us is the Galloway Hills Rally next month for round 4 of the SRC!