MacCrone eyeing more Mull magic

DERVAIG’S JOHN MACCRONE heads into this year’s Beatson’s Mull Rally playing down his chances of repeating his success of 2013. And the former winner, who will share his Ford Fiesta R5 with Uddingston co-driver Stuart Loudon, tells Jim McGill he hasn’t rallied on tarmac since last year’s event.

“My preparations have gone ok so far,” John explained. “I’’ve done a few rounds of the Scottish Championship, and won the Grampian Stages, but I’ve not done any tarmac stages, so Mull will be a bit of change to running through the Scottish forests. It’s been a gravel year for us.

“Winning the Grampian has boosted my confidence a bit, so that will definitely help going into the home event.

“It’ll be good to get back on the hard surface and roads that I love. The first stage — MishNish Lochs — will be by first tarmac stage since Mull last year.

“I’m in the Fiesta R5 from Dom Buckley this year. It’s the car Alister Fisher has been using in the Irish Tarmac Championship.

“And I’ve Stuart sat with me again, so it would be great to repeat the win of 2013. We’re both looking forward to it.

“As for the main rivals? Paul Mackinnon in the Subaru, I think, is the man to beat. He’ll be difficult to keep up with. I think he’ll be way out in front, and the rest will be chasing to keep up with him. He’s quick, and the car’s quick, so it’ll be fun chasing him.

“Then of course, we have Calum in his new Skoda. And we all know he’ll be proper fast too. These are the two guys who will be exceptionally quick.”