Mull Prize Winner is Barbados-Bound!
While the big story of the Beatson’s Building Supplies Mull Rally 2023 was Fergus Barlow winning for the first time, there was another winner on the event, and he is about to accept his reward. Oban driver Stewart Morrison was the winner of a free entry to Rally Barbados, and the car is currently heading its way to the island.
Barbados Rally Club generously offered the prize of a free entry plus paid shipping costs, and the winner was selected from the Mull Rally front and rear wheel drive finishers, back in October. Rally Barbados Director Neil Barnard explains “Mull is a niche, unique rally that shares many characteristics with Rally Barbados: it is an island-based tarmac event run on closed roads and I am looking forward to promoting Barbados, and our event”.
Stewart’s Ford Escort Mk2 left Portsmouth this week for the 4,000 mile journey to the Caribbean. Stewart, with Johnny Baird navigating will head out at the end of May, with the notorious “King of the Hill” shakedown and seeding their first challenge. Stewart and Johnny had a great run on Mull in October, finishing 9th overall and winning the 2 litre class. But they never expected to collect this additional award, which was selected by random draw.
Commiserations however go to Mike Curry who was first out of the hat for the draw, but is unable to compete in Rally Barbados. But his loss was certainly Stewart’s gain and he is “buzzing for the trip, for an event I’d never thought I would compete in”. There’s been some hard work at his garage to get the car prepared in time to catch the ship.
Beatson’s Building Supplies Mull Rally wish Stewart and Johnny the best of luck, along with other familiar faces who are making the journey. This includes former competitor Robn Hamilton and former Clerk of the Course Nigel Worswick. The rally is similar to Mull Rally in that it runs on closed public roads and has night stages, with three legs spread over a weekend. However, you would expect the weather to be a little better in Barbados in June than Isle of Mull in October!
Let’s hope Stewart and his crew uphold Scottish honour and get the car back to Oban in time for Beatson’s Building Supplies Mull Rally 2024!
