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Beatson’s Building Supplies Mull Rally glory up for grabs

  • The Beatson’s Building Supplies Mull Rally fires into action on 10 – 12 October
  • A heavyweight entry of over 130 crews sees Mull regulars face fierce mainland challengers
  • Three former winners litter the top five seeds with 2023 winner Fergus Barlow leding the field away
  • Organisers save event from cancellation and retain planned rally mileage after Gribun rockfall scuppers initial planned route

The Beatson’s Building Supplies Mull Rally returns next weekend [10–12 October] for its 53rd running, with three days of unrelenting closed-road competition set to light up the Hebridean island.

Organised by Mull Car Club, one of the UK’s most highly-regarded stage rallies will host around 130 cars competing over 140 miles of high-speed action on the island, split across fourteen special stages and three long, challenging legs.

A brand-new route is in store for crews this year, with the enforced changes brought about by the major rockfall on the B8035 at Gribun Rocks, a significant part of the initial route planned by rally organisers. Working in close partnership with local authorities and the Mull community, a brand new route was created in the North of the island, ensuring the event retains its marker for being one of the toughest in the country.

Sponsored for the eighth consecutive year by Beatson’s Building Supplies, the rally has run since 1969 and continues to be a community-wide celebration, drawing fans and competitors alike from far and wide.

Fighting for the honour of leading the winners procession through Tobermory town centre on Sunday afternoon as rally winners is an inviting list of rapid locals and top-flight visitors, boasting three former winners in the top-five seeds.

Leading the field away with the coveted number one on the doors is 2023 rally winner and Tobermory resident Fergus Barlow. Whilst his choice of car for this year’s title tilt is still under wraps, Barlow is likely to be at the sharp end of the leaderboard all weekend, having taken victory by a minute in a Ford Fiesta Rally2 two years ago. He will be joined by islander Heather MacCrone in the co-driver’s seat.

Making it a Mull one-two, Paul MacKinnon returns with co-driver Paul Beaton and, in a change from 2024, they will pilot a Skoda Fabia Rally2. Having secured four rally victories on Mull, MacKinnon is equally a top tip for victory, but he will need to adapt to his new machine quickly if he is to replicate his 50th Anniversary Mull Rally win.

Taking third spot in 2023, Neil Roskell makes the trip once again from Lancashire in his Fiesta Rally2, but ensures some local knowledge is embedded in the car, recruiting Mull-man Daniel Barritt alongside. Roskell has been enjoying a season in the British Rally Championship and heads back to Mull for the ultimate challenge.

Jonathan Mounsey heads over from Yorkshire in his Fiesta Rally2 with Richard Wardle alongside, whilst rounding out the top five is a home hero returning to the event for the first time since 2022, Calum Duffy.

Co-driven by brother Iain, Calum is one of the most successful drivers in the event’s history with ten wins to his name, in both four and two-wheel drive machinery. Last seen on the event in an Escort MK2, Duffy makes his maiden outing in modern Rally2 machinery next weekend, citing a ‘50th Birthday’ treat as the incentive for a return.

In a talented list of entries, the two-wheel drive ranks see Oban’s Stewart Morrison with Jonny Baird alongside heading up the Ford Escort MK2 charge, whilst Ross Hunter/Chris Dodds bring their rapid Peugeot 208 Rally4 back for another attempt in 2025 and round out the top ten.

Event sponsor John Marshall returns to the fold, but this time equipped with his stunning BMW E30 M3. Having taken the new machinery to a class win on the recent Argyll Rally, Marshall is enjoying his Historic spec example and will have Craig Wallace alongside on the notes.

The new look to the event still offers much of the challenge presented by previous editions, and although confined to the north of the island, it’s still billed as one of the biggest tests of car, crew and endurance.

Tobermory Distillery welcomes the rally back to its courtyard for pre-event scrutineering this year, marking a return to the traditional pre-event formality in front of eager fans just off Ledaig car park on Thursday and Friday [9/10 October]. Also making a return will be the Tunnocks Teacake Eating Contest on Wednesday and the Pre-Rally Forum on Thursday evening, both in Tobermory.

The non-timed Glengorm Shakedown test gives crews a chance to acclimatise to the unique island roads on Friday morning, before crews gather in Tobermory under the cover of darkness and are flagged off from Ledaig Car Park at 7pm for the Ceremonial Start.

Five stages that evening make up the longest leg at lover 63 competitive miles with a single service at Craignure before the overnight halt at Salen just after midnight.

Restarting at lunchtime on Saturday, the second leg also offers five tests, with the gruelling 14-mile Loch Tuath/Hill Road kicking off the only daylight section of the weekend. At just over 60 miles long, it’s a challenging blast before a 4pm halt in Tobermory.

After a short respite, it’s all go again as crews head out from the Salen re-start in darkness for the final leg. Four stages of testing roads await, including the final stage, which is the longest of the event and rounds out the competitive element before the now-traditional finish in Ledaig Car Park in Tobermory at around 1:45 a.m. on Sunday.

The popular Winners Parade will take place on Sunday from 14:45, along with the Prize Giving ceremony, also in Ledaig Car Park.

Full spectator information can be found in the event programme, available at various outlets across the island. However, if you are unable to attend this year’s event, an extensive live-streaming package is once again on offer, bringing both stage-side action and driver interviews to fans worldwide. This will be broadcast on both Facebook and YouTube, bringing an even bigger spotlight on the island and the rally.

“It’s fair to say this year has tested us more than most,” admits clerk of the course Colin Harkness.

“With the late rockfall at Gribun forcing a major rethink, it has been like creating a brand-new rally almost overnight. There have certainly been stressful moments, but the determination across the team has been incredible.

“What matters most is that the rally lives on in the way Mull deserves. I’m delighted that, despite the challenges, we’ve crafted a new route that keeps every ounce of the Mull magic alive. Those who make the trip year after year will still feel that unique buzz the island generates during rally week, and I hope those watching from home will be inspired to come and experience it for themselves in future.

“We owe huge thanks to John and Ross Marshall of Beatson’s Building Supplies for their unwavering support, as well as to Argyll & Bute Council, Motorsport UK and our many partners and volunteers who make this event possible. Mull Rally has always been special, this year proves just how strong that spirit really is”