Home   Sport   Article

Snowman Rally will not take place in 2025 as event is cancelled





Hannah McKillop and Garry Pearson celebrate winning the Snowman Rally in 2024. Picture: Will Clark
Hannah McKillop and Garry Pearson celebrate winning the Snowman Rally in 2024. Picture: Will Clark

The biggest motor racing event in the Highlands will not take place next year after it was confirmed the Snowman Rally has been cancelled for 2025.

Organisers Highland Car Club have confirmed the event, which is traditionally the first round of the Scottish Rally Championship, will not take place next year.

The event was scheduled to take place on Saturday, March 1, with the start and finish line at Muir of Ord Showground and racing taking place through Inverness-shire and Ross-shire.

However, organisers say they have cancelled the event as they have not been able to gain access to forest roads for the rally to take place.

A statement on the Snowman Rally Facebook site confirmed the news on Friday night.

It read: “Highland Car Club would like to announce that there will be no Snowman Rally in 2025.

“Traditionally the opening round of the Scottish Rally Championship and one of the biggest and best attended sporting events in the Highlands has been scuppered yet again.

“The rally relies on gaining access to forest roads from Forestry & Land Scotland which act as the special stages that form the main competitive element of the event.

“For next year it has not been possible to secure enough suitable mileage to be able to proceed with the organisation.

“This comes as a huge disappointment to the volunteer organising team and will be a massive blow to the competitors, marshals and rally fans near and far that descend on the Highlands at the start of the year.

“For the second year in a row the event has had to cancel its traditional winter date and whilst it was able to run on a rescheduled date in October this year, this is not a sustainable proposition for the future.”

Organisers say they are hopeful that the event will be able to take place in 2026.

The 2024 Snowman Rally was originally cancelled due to problems gaining access to the course meaning it was not possible to hold it last March.

However, eight days after the event was cancelled, the Snowman Rally was saved after an alternative date was found in October.

Duns driver Garry Pearson along with co-driver Hannah McKillop dominated the event to claim the title.


Do you want to respond to this article? If so, click here to submit your thoughts and they may be published in print.



This site uses cookies. By continuing to browse the site you are agreeing to our use of cookies - Learn More