The world’s best set for Voly Grampian Forest Rally as Rally Scotland preparations begin

The Voly Grampian Forest Rally is set to welcome one of the strongest fields in its history, with current FIA World Rally Championship stars choosing the Aberdeenshire event as an important stepping stone towards Rally Scotland’s return to the world stage on 7/8 August.

After confirmation that the FIA World Rally Championship will return to the UK in 2027 with Rally Scotland based in Aberdeen, organisers of the British Rally Championship and Asset Alliance Group Scottish Rally Championship qualifying round Stonehaven & District Motor Club, can reveal that a host of world-class drivers have already committed to tackling the iconic north-east forests.

Their decision to compete at the ever-popular Voly Grampian Forest Rally is driven by crews eager to experience the roads, terrain and conditions expected to play a key role when the World Rally Championship arrives in Scotland next year.

Leading the international contingent are current FIA World Rally Championship leaders Elfyn Evans and Scott Martin, who will take part in the event in a Toyota GR Yaris Rally2 as part of Toyota’s preparations for Rally Scotland.

Jurgenson returns

Also heading to Aberdeenshire are M-Sport World Rally Team front-runners Jon Armstrong and Shane Byrne, with the Irish pairing bringing a Ford Fiesta Rally2 to continue their own preparations.

They will be joined by M-Sport Ford WRC2 contenders Romet Jürgenson and Siim Oja, who return after an impressive performance twelve months ago, where the Estonian pairing claimed three fastest stage times on their way through the British Rally Championship. Their return provides another valuable opportunity to gather data on the roads likely to feature in future WRC competition.

Lancia set to land in Banchory

WRC2 front runners Yohan Rossel / Arnaud Dunand and Nikolay Gryazin / Konstantin Aleksandrov are bringing their Lancia Ypsilon HF Rally2s to Banchory. Their entry will mark the UK debut of the Ypsilon Rally2 and the marque's first visit to these shores in many years.

Whilst the arrival of World Rally Championship contenders is a major boost for the event, organisers are equally keen to emphasise that they will be joining an already fiercely competitive field from the British Rally Championship and Asset Alliance Group Scottish Rally Championship.

Many of Britain’s leading drivers will be looking to defend home honours on roads they know so well, creating a fascinating battle between established national championship stars and some of the biggest names in international rallying.

Just as importantly, the event’s clubman competitors will once again form the backbone of the rally. For many private crews, the opportunity to compete on the same stages, in the same conditions and against current World Rally Championship stars is a unique experience rarely found anywhere else in the sport.

Clerk of the Course Graham Provest believes the calibre of crews already confirmed demonstrates just how important the Voly Grampian Forest Rally has become.

“We’ve always believed the Grampian could showcase everything that’s great about rallying in north-east Scotland, but to now have current World Rally Championship contenders actively choosing our event as preparation for Rally Scotland is a tremendous endorsement.”

“These aren’t demonstration runs or promotional appearances. They’re coming here because they want to compete and because they know our stages offer exactly the type of challenge they’ll face next year.”

“What makes this so exciting is that they’ll be lining up alongside the stars of the British Rally Championship, the Asset Alliance Group Scottish Rally Championship and the club competitors who are the lifeblood of our sport. For one weekend, everyone gets the same opportunity to take on some of the finest forest roads in Britain and measure themselves against the very best in the world.”

With further high-profile entries expected before the official entry list is published, anticipation continues to build for what is already shaping up to be one of the biggest editions of the Voly Grampian Forest Rally in its history.

Away from the stages, fans will once again be able to get up close to the stars and machinery in Banchory’s King George V Park, where the popular Rally Zone will host scrutineering, the ceremonial start, regroup and rally finish throughout the weekend. Dedicated spectator areas, including the spectacular BA Barn Arena near Kintore, will offer unrivalled views of the action, with full spectator information to be released shortly.

As preparations continue for the World Rally Championship’s long-awaited return to Scotland, the Voly Grampian Forest Rally is already proving that north-east Scotland is ready to welcome the world’s finest rally drivers and giving fans the chance to witness that story unfold a year ahead of Rally Scotland itself.