Garry Pearson continued his winning streak in the 2026 Asset Alliance Group Scottish Rally Championship (SRC), taking victory at the Dunoon Presents Argyll Rally after a big battle with Scott Macbeth.
Round four of the season, and the second of two Tarmac rallies, the Dunoon-based Argyll Rally presents a unique challenge on the SRC calendar, with its narrow and technical stages requiring ultimate concentration from the drivers.
The two-day event, spanning Friday and Saturday June 19/20, offered 16 stages, including two through the town centre of Dunoon which were won by Hugh Brunton and co-driver Drew Sturrock.
Brunton, who was one of several drivers to play his Joker in Argyll, held that lead as the rally ventured into the countryside, but his Toyota GR Yaris Rally2 would end Friday off the road after a tyre came off the rim and caused a high-speed spin in fifth gear.
Another frontrunner to fall was Rory Young and co-driver Allan Cathers. Last year’s Argyll winner, as well as in 2023, Young was inside the top three before he also went off on the sixth special stage in his Skoda Fabia RS Rally2.
Undeterred, Pearson and stand-in co-driver Jack Morton took the lead from Brunton on the fourth stage and held it throughout the opening evening to carry a four-second lead into Saturday. Driving a Fabia RS Rally2 for the first time, 2021 Scottish Rally champion Pearson was shadowed by the only other crew to win an event so far in 2026: Macbeth and co-driver Andrew Falconer.
Volkswagen Polo GTI R5 driver Macbeth refused to let Pearson escape, but the Border Counties and Jim Clark Reivers winner held firm out front to gradually extend his advantage throughout the day. Arriving at the ceremonial finish in Dunoon town centre, 14 seconds was all that separated the top two crews.
The result marked a hat-trick of wins for Pearson, while it was a first in the SRC for co-driver Jack Morton who has experience working with Hyundai World Rally Championship driver Hayden Paddon.
Mark McCulloch / Michael Hendry claimed their first podium finish of the season with third place in their Proton Satria Evo, surviving a scary spin on Saturday morning to move into the lead of the championship – boosted by both playing their one permitted Joker.
Alexander Vassallo / Chris Lees have shown superb pace in their Ford Fiesta Rally2 this season, but choosing a wet setup on predominantly dry roads on Friday – plus a brief trip off the road with sun blinding Vassallo’s vision – compromised their podium bid, leaving them fourth at round four.
Craig Rutherford starred in his Ford Escort Mk2 to claim a top-five finish, as well as victory in both the G&M Mechanical Services Rally Preparation 2WD and Oakbank Challengers Championships. In both categories, Ross Jarrett / Dave Robson (Escort Mk2) and Callum Atkinson / Nikki Addison (Peugeot 208 Rally4) completed the podium.
Robbie Wood became the third different Questmead SRC Juniors winner in four events on his second start in a 208 Rally4, while John Rintoul returned to winning ways in the Haddo Energy SRC Super Seniors, claiming his third success of the year but first in a Subaru Legacy RS.
Taking full benefit from his Joker – which enabled competitors to score up to five extra championship points if they finish in the top-five – Mike Grant took victory in the Groundwater Lift Trucks Subaru Cup.
The 2026 SRC season returns to gravel for next month’s RSAC Scottish Rally (Saturday July 18).
Rally winner, Garry Pearson, said: “Our aim in Argyll was to score as many Asset Alliance Group Scottish Rally Championship points as possible, and that’s exactly what we did. To score a third SRC victory in a row is something I’m very proud of.
“Argyll is a unique rally with challenging stages and a demanding itinerary, with lots of short, sharp tests requiring plenty of concentration. We had a good battle with Scott and Andrew behind us, but managed things well to secure the win.
“The focus at the start of the year was never to win the Scottish Rally Championship, but we now find ourselves in a very strong championship position with three wins on the board from our three starts. Hopefully we can keep this momentum going at the RSAC Scottish Rally next month.
SRC chairwoman, Fiona Moir, said: “Congratulations to all category winners and finishers at one of the toughest SRC events of the season, especially Garry Pearson and Jack Morton. It’s always nice to see new winners in the championship.
“Four rounds in and the 2026 Asset Alliance Group Scottish Rally is shaping up nicely with several drivers staking a claim to become champion. None of us on the championship committee can wait for the final three events to see how this thrilling story plays out.
“Our thanks also to Mull Car Club and the Argyll Rally organising team for putting on another top class event. It won’t be long until we’re back in the woods for the RSAC Scottish Rally next month.”
