Bogie wins fifth Scottish title 05 | 10 | 2013

    SCOTS RALLY ACE DAVID BOGIE clinched his fifth successive ARR Craib Scottish Rally Championship today with a dazzling final stage in the Aberfeldy-based Colin McRae Rally.

    The 26-year-old from Dumfries started the final 10-mile stage trailing the Ford Focus WRC of his title rival, Euan Thorburn, by eight seconds.

    But while Bogie stormed through the Craigvinean forest stage in impeccable and fully-committed style in his ex-Colin McRae Focus WRC, despite making the wrong tyre choice,Thorburn's title hopes were left deflated after his car suffered a puncture.

    The combination of events saw Bogie slash 26 seconds off Thorburn's time, and left him the winner by 18s, with the Mitsubishi of Mike Falulkner third, almost two-minutes further adrift.

    The result though left Bogie, co-driven again by Hawick's Kevin Rae, shaking his head in disbelief.

    Related: David Bogie closes in on fifth Scots title

    "I honestly, really can't believe what's just happened," he said. "Scottish Rally champion for the fifth time in a row? It's brilliant."

    Bogie and Thorburn had matched each other's time through the day's opening stage, the six-miler at Sophia Wood.

    But the Duns driver seized the advantage on the next stage, the 3.6-miles at White Gates when Bogie dropped 21s after his car suffered a front-left puncture when he clattered a rock half-a-mile into the stage.

    After that, Bogie drove like a man possessed, but one who always remained in full control of his abilities and driven by his desire to clinch an unprecedented fifth straight title.

    "I really felt today was my day, and I feel we deserved to win because of the pace we should all day. But I do feel sorry for Euan, because he drove brilliantly all day, and all season, as well," Bogie admitted. "But I honestly still can't believe I've won the title again.

    "This season's been the most difficult, demanding and closest fought of the five, and the victory tastes really sweet.

    "And to win it on the Colin McRae Rally, means everything. It's where I had my first real big breakthrough, and Colin will always be my hero. It's just fantastic."

    Related: Davie Birrell — The Interview

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    Jim McGill

     

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