Home   News   Article

Ford Escort is overall winner in Caithness and Sutherland club's virtual rally


By Alan Hendry

Easier access to your trusted, local news. Subscribe to a digital package and support local news publishing.



Click here to sign up to our free newsletters!
Iain MacKenzie's winning Mk1 Ford Escort 1300E, in John Player Special livery.
Iain MacKenzie's winning Mk1 Ford Escort 1300E, in John Player Special livery.

A special Ford Escort led the way in last weekend's virtual rally held by Caithness and Sutherland Vintage and Classic Vehicle Club.

The event was devised through social media to help to make up for the disappointment of having to cancel the popular annual gathering of cars, vans, lorries, motorbikes and agricultural vehicles at John O'Groats.

When the real event was scrapped due to the Covid-19 pandemic, club members decided to hold a virtual version instead using Facebook.

The entry with most likes (votes) by Sunday at 5pm was a Mk1 Ford Escort 1300E, painted in the John Player Special livery, owned by Iain MacKenzie from Culbokie on the Black Isle. There were almost 100 entries across five classes, and online posts amounted to 2685.

Club chairman Kevin Sutherland said: “The virtual rally will never replace the real thing at John O'Groats. However, the event had 95 entries posted by club members and enthusiasts from all over the Highlands.

"This was set up with the aim of having a bit of fun for club members and vehicle enthusiasts at this difficult time. We were delighted with all the entries and wish to thank everyone for taking part.

"We certainly had a good range of vehicles in the show and some special winners in the classes through the use of social media.”

Entries and votes were closed on the day the rally would have been held – Sunday, June 14 – although people have continued to like the posts and make comments.

Class results (with votes for each vehicle in brackets):

  • Class A – Cars pre-1950, six vehicles entered: 1 (9) Bert Gunn, 1921 Rover Coupé; 2 (6) Bruce Tait, 1948 MG TC; 3eq (4) Vince Moore, 1938 Rover 10, and Bert Cooper, 1947 Sunbeam Talbot Sunbeam; 5 David Green, 1936 Austin 10 Cambridge.
  • Class B – Cars post-1951, 60 vehicles entered: 1 (40) Iain MacKenzie, Mk1 Ford Escort 1300E JPS livery; 2 (39) M Fulton, Vauxhall Cavalier SRi; 3 (25) L Henderson, Series 1 Escort RS Turbo Custom.
  • Class C – Motorcycles pre-1950, two vehicles entered: 1 (6) John Peterson, 1938 Triumph Speed Twin; 2 (6) John Peterson, 1950 BSA B31.
  • Class D – Motorcycles post-1950, eight vehicles entered: 1 (11) Kenny Scobie, Yamaha SR125 2003; 2 (10) Kenny MacKenzie, 1981 Honda Cbx1000 straight 6; 3eq (8) Jasper Bremner, 1968 Triumph Daytona 500 Twin, and William Sutherland, 1958 BSA B31.
  • Class E – Commercial, agricultural and other vehicles, 19 vehicles entered: 1 (28) Harry Fulton, mini David Brown tractor; 2 (13) Don McLeod, 1944 Standard Fordson tractor; 3 (13) Don McLeod, 1966 Massey Ferguson 135.

As Iain MacKenzie’s Mk1 Ford Escort 1300E had 40 votes, it was declared the overall rally winner.

Kevin added: "The club members are looking forward to hosting the 2021 rally at John O’Groats next June and hope to see many of these vehicles on the field."

Anyone interested in joining the club can email Kevin on fib241@hotmail.co.uk for details and an application form.


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