One of Scotland’s most promising rally youngsters, David Bogie, bids to make up for narrowly missing out on the Scottish Rally Championship by clinching the Mitsubishi UK Evolution title in North Wales tomorrow, and bag himself a works drive in Rally GB.
Dumfries ace Bogie, who lost out in the race for the Scottish title when he was pipped by Inverness veteran Jimmy Girvan in the final round last month, today tackles the 65 miles through the Welsh forests in the Bulldog Rally.
“It would be a terrific way to finish the season if I could win the Mitsubishi title,” championship leader, 21-year-old Bogie, admitted today as he completed his final preparations at the rally HQ in Oswestry.
“It was really disappointing to miss out on the Scottish title after winning a number of the rounds, but we can make up for it this weekend.”
Though Bogie is tied for the Mitsubishi championship lead on 44 points with England’s Nik Elsmore, the Scot — who has already won three rounds this season — knows he needs finish no lower than fifth today to clinch the title.
“Some people might think that makes it easier,” he continued, “but it’s tougher trying to drive within yourself than going full-out for the win. It tends to affect your concentration and that’s how mistakes happen. So we’ll just be going for the outright victory.”
And the young Scot has another incentive to win tomorrow. The winner of the Evo Challenge receives an official Mitsubishi works drive in this year’s Wales Rally GB in a brand new Group N Evolution X.
“It’s really a massive weekend for me,” Bogie smiled. “To win the Mitsubishi championship would be stunning, but to have a full works’ drive in Wales Rally GB in the world championship would be a brilliant way to end the year.”
JM