Newtown link to two cars built a century apart
Ally McGilvray • Published 13 Mar 2012 09:30
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RALLY driver Callum Atkinson revealed he can't wait for the start of the new season this weekend - even though the last time he raced on gravel he ended up on his roof.
He will line-up in his Peugeot 205 GTI at the start of the 2012 Borders Counties Rally in Jedburgh - round two of the Scottish Rally Championship - which celebrates its 40th anniversary on Saturday, March 17.
The 21-year-old joiner, from Lauder, has enlisted the support of co-driver Kevin Mathers, a 19-year-old mechanic, from Newtown St Boswells, whose father Gordon won the Willie Dale trophy for most original vehicle with his 1904 Peugeot Bebe Sport at the vintage car rally in Selkirk last year.
They paraded the two cars, built by the same manfacturer 100 years apart, outside their workshop in the Borders to celebrate the historic link on Saturday.
Callum, who revealed his navigator has never even sat in a rally car before, told the Border Telegraph: "I can't wait.
"This is the first year I will have taken part in the challege, although I started rally driving in 2008, so it will be a big learning curve. The last time out in gravel I put the car on its roof."
But he added: "While the classic model looks sharp and has won car show honours for its restoration detail, I wouldn't imagine it is as enjoyable to drive as it is to look at."
Callum, who revealed he and Kevin had spent every spare minute building the rally car over the winter, revealed it would cost them upwards of £10,000 to run the car over the course of the season - and they thanked their sponsors for their support.
They include: Howdens Joinery, Kelso, N R J Atkinson plumbing and heating, Lauder, G S Mathers Motors, Melrose, G A White motors, Newtown St Boswells, Abbey Bridge Toll House, Jedburgh, and Walker Groundworks Limited, Kelso.
This article appeared in Border Telegraph 13 Mar 12
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