The iconic RSAC Scottish Rally [Saturday July 18] plays host to the fifth round of the 2026 Asset Alliance Group Scottish Rally Championship (SRC) and could be pivotal in the championship fight.
Mark McCulloch / Michael Hendry lead the standings in their Proton Satria Evo, but with three victories from as many starts so far this year, 2021 SRC champion Garry Pearson could set himself up perfectly for a title double in 2026 if he wins again in Dalbeattie with competitors’ counting only their five best points scores.
But to do that, the Duns-based driver will need to overcome the perennial threat of Scott Macbeth / Andrew Falconer, who won the season-opening Snowman Rally. The Muir of Ord driver switches from a Volkswagen Polo to Skoda Fabia RS Rally2 machinery for the Scottish. Pearson meanwhile pivots back to his M-Sport-run Ford Fiesta Rally2 after trying a Skoda in Argyll.
Further contenders come in the form of proven podium finishers Alex Vassallo / Chris Lees (Fiesta Rally2) and Stephen Petch / Michael Wilkinson (Fiesta Rally2) as well as the returning 2015 and ’16 Scottish champion Jock Armstrong and his co-driver Owen Paterson and Peter Stewart / Rachel Matheson (Citroen C3 Rally2).
However the big news is the entry of Max McRae and co-driver Cameron Fair in their Skoda. The son of Alister McRae and nephew of 1995 world champion (and 1988 Scottish champion) Colin McRae, Max represents the next generation of Scottish rallying talent and has chosen to register for the SRC alongside Fair who won the SRC title back in 2022. The pair will not score points however, so as to not disturb the title fight.
Three stages, repeated in the afternoon, form the battleground for round five of the SRC, in forests once tamed by rallying legends including Ari Vatanen, Hannu Mikkola, Stig Blomqvist, Richard Burns and Harri Rovanperä. A service halt at Jas P Wilson Forest Machines in Dalbeattie splits the two loops of Barney Water, Glengap and Dalbeattie.
Craig Rutherford leads both the Oakbank SRC Challengers and G&M Mechanical Services 2WD Championships into the Scottish, but as ever will be chased hard by a gaggle of fellow Ford Escort crews.
Chief among them is Mike Stuart and co-driver Clare Fraser, who missed Argyll but led the two championships after standout performances on the opening gravel rounds. Scott Peacock / Craig Wallace are another contender on home ground, while the Peugeot 208 Rally4 of Callum Atkinson / Nikki Addison is sure to disrupt the rear-wheel-drive party.
Robbie Wood leads the Questmead SRC Juniors after four rounds and a good finish at round five would help him extend that advantage. He’s co-driven by Steven Brown in his 208.
John Rintoul heads the Haddo Energy SRC Super Seniors pack after notching up three wins so far in 2026. He and Ross Hynd switch back to a Ford Escort Mk2 after piloting a Subaru Legacy on the two previous Tarmac rounds.
In the Groundwater Lift Trucks Subaru Cup, Mike Grant tops the points after victory at the last round in Argyll. He’ll battle Martin Lock in the woods of south-west Scotland.
SRC chairwoman, Fiona Moir, said: “After two thrilling rallies on Tarmac, the Asset Alliance Group Scottish Rally Championship switches back to gravel for the final three rounds of the season – demonstrating the versatility it offers all competitors.
“All eyes will be on the fight at the front as the championship enters its second half and the picture begins to take shape. It’s an honour to have Max McRae join us with his growing stature and family pedigree sure to add extra spice to the fight. We commend his decision not to potentially take points away from any of our championship challengers.
“Thanks to the team behind the RSAC Scottish Rally for organising another brilliant rally and pressing on despite a challenge with entry numbers. I’ll see everyone in Dalbeattie.”
*Featured image courtesy of Aneurin James
