This year’s Beatson’s Building Supplies Mull Rally sees a new skipper at the helm, with the ultra-experienced Colin Harkess stepping up to become Clerk of the Course.

With extensive experience both in and out of the car, plus a history on the island itself, we caught up with the new main man to get an insight into his journey into the role.

Mull Rally: Colin, congratulations on your appointment! Can you tell us how it feels to be named Clerk of the Course for one of the UK’s most iconic rallies?

Colin: I honestly never thought I would be lucky enough to be the Clerk of the Course of this special event. I feel fortunate to be working with an incredible team of approximately 400 to put this event on for 150 rally crews. Mull has been a very special place in my heart ever since my first visit servicing for Gordon Boyd in 1991.

Mull Rally: Your rally journey began over three decades ago – what first drew you into the sport back in 1990?

Colin: The journey really started in 1990 when my friend Ross Campbell was starting his apprenticeship at Gordon Boyd’s garage. I went down to meet Ross and ended up working on the rally cars. From there, after Mull 1992, Douglas Newbie asked if I’d co-drive at Ingliston. That’s where my journey in the brave seat started.

I got involved with Dunfermline Car Club, running the DCC Stages and Runway Stages at Ingliston, running 12 events before taking a back seat and mainly co-driving. I suppose my story changed when I took on the Chair of Dunfermline Car Club 12 years ago.

Then got back into Clerking. I was fortunate to take over the DCC stages along with Mach 1 Stages, Granite Leuchars, Knockhill Motoring News and Crail. I’ve been really lucky to work with some incredible people over the years to run rallies. 3 years ago, I offered to support the team on Mull Rally, which brings me to the current day.

Mull Rally: You’ve co-driven in over 120 rallies, including 13 Mull Rallies. How does your experience on the stages help inform your approach as an organiser?

Colin: As a co-driver, I feel that I understand what a crew wants from a rally, but also looking at the welfare of the team that helps to make the rally run. As a co-driver you are pretty much an office manager for things in and out of the car. Being a Clerk, you are the manager of the event, but you are only as good as your staff. My staff at rallies are all volunteers who give up their precious time to help me run a safe event.

Mull Rally: You’ve sat in some legendary cars like the Metro 6R4 and Escort Cosworth – any standout memories from your time in the co-driver’s seat on Mull?

Colin: Well, there are a few standouts in Mull. My first experience was sitting with Alan Gardiner in a Mk2 Escort. Having done a few forest events on notes, I thought this would be a breeze. Well, some of the stages, you don’t get a chance to take a breath when reading notes. But we got a finish. This enforced my love for the island.

I have also done the event on a WRC Escort Cosworth with George Grieve. Well, the experience was that things arrived so much quicker, but unfortunately, we had 2 retirements in a row. Then I sat with Davie Dalgliesh in various cars, Mk2 Escorts, Escort Cosworth and Subaru Impreza. These experiences were incredible.

During most of this time I was fortunate enough to co-drive for Tom Morris in his Metro 6R4. That car is something else, the acceleration and braking were unbelievable, and we were lucky enough to win a rally or 2. We had 20 years sitting together. After Tom retired, I have now hung up my helmet to be a Clerk.

Mull Rally: What do you think makes the Mull Rally so unique compared to other events you’ve worked on or competed in?

Colin: Mull Rally is special with 2 of the 3 legs run in darkness. It poses a challenge. For the organising team lack of sleep is a massive part of the difference. I certainly got more sleep competing.

Mull Rally: Having served as Deputy Clerk of the Course for the past two years, what have you learned from that experience?

Colin: I have learnt that if you don’t work with your team, you will break. Humour is undoubtedly something that gets you through. And Coffee. I’m lucky that most of the team are continuing to work with me on this year’s event. They bring a wealth of experience that I will continue to learn from.

Mull Rally: What are your key priorities as you take on this leadership role – both for the rally itself and for the people who help make it happen?

Colin: My key priorities as I take on the clerk role are to ensure Mull Rally sticks to its roots. The challenge is that Mull must stick to its heritage.

I am also looking to the future of the event by bringing in some team members who, in the future, will understand the Mull rally and will continue to create history. I love working within a team, and it feels like family.

My rally family, and we all gather for this special occasion. Every job and every role is key to a happy family. I also listen, and if something isn’t right, then we need to address it.

Mull Rally: And finally, what excites you most about the road ahead in October?

Colin: What excites me is bringing a large number of people together to participate in a sport we all love on an island we all love. Mull is the best Rally in the World.