The Beatson’s Building Supplies Jim Clark Rally has announced its outline format for the 24-26 May event and the return of the famous Langton water splash.
The iconic location, which was the highlight for both fans and drivers alike throughout the history of the rally, has not been used competitively for a decade at the Duns-based event. As a result of a new format for the three-day closed-road rally, the Langton stage will return four times during the weekend.
Nestled in the Scottish Borders town of Duns, the Jim Clark Rally is the third round of the 2024 Probite British Rally Championship and will once again be sponsored by leading construction materials provider Beatson’s Building Supplies. This year will see a refreshed offering which is set to provide motorsport fans and competing crews an exciting weekend of motorsport.
After the now traditional ceremonial start in Duns Square, Langton will offer a spectacular way to kick off the rally on Friday 24May with the short blast opening the rally early in the evening. Crews will then head for a usual moorland blast across the Abbey St Bathans test, before another new addition to the opening leg, Blackadder.
After service back in Duns, the stages will be repeated with rally fans and followers being able to enjoy an entertaining evening of motorsport before the overnight halt. The new look to Friday, sees a switch from the usual two-stages, to a dazzling six-test spectacular and over 35 stage miles, some under the cover of darkness to test the best drivers in the business.
Saturday starts in dramatic fashion with another run through Langton for the eager crowds before the traditional run of Edrom, Ayton and Fogo make up the eight stages on offer, taking the rally to over 88 stage miles for all competing crews.
“The Jim Clark Rally organising team has always tried to give both competitors and rally fans a fresh, new and exciting offering year-on-year and 2024 is no exception,” said Dan Wright, Chairman of the organisers, the Jim Clark Memorial Motor Club.
“The entire team has been working hard behind the scenes to come up with a progressive offering for this year and part of that mindset has always been to increase the stage mileage of both events in a nod to the more arduous rallies of the past. The Jim Clark Rally is up from 67 to 88 miles and Reivers from 43 to 55 miles which means we can introduce a whole new format for the weekend.
“Of course, the return of Langton is very close to our hearts and is a symbol of the rally which all the family can enjoy. Other changes to the organisation have meant we can increase the number of cars that can enter to 130 per event, and that means we have one of the most attractive propositions for all in many years. We a very excited to welcome everyone to the Scottish Borders in May, we predict it could be the best edition yet”. More information on the rally will be released in due course.
