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View Full Version : "Merrick" Service Area Nears Completion



wyllier
26th August 2007, 23:48
A new purpose-built service area for the Merrick Forest Stages Rally in south-west Scotland will be officially opened on Saturday (Sept 1st) by Scottish Environment Minister Michael Russell.

Forestry Commission Scotland engineers have been working to get the facility ready in time for the Newton Stewart-based rally on September 8th.

Trees and shrubs have been cleared at the former engineering depot at Glencaird, north of Glentrool Village, and an area of around 11,000 square metres has been levelled out.

Access has also been improved and an existing single-track road around the site will allow for a one way system in and out of service.

Rally organisers have invested £5000 in the facility, matched by funding from the Dumfries and Galloway Community Environment Regeneration Fund, which has European backing.

The Glencaird site is seen as part of the regeneration of the Glentrool area. When not in use for rallying, it will be available for a range of outdoor events.

Entries for the "Merrick" close on August 30th, and organisers have been encouraged by the numbers so far.

The event is the penultimate round of the County Saab Scottish Championship.

Although this year's title has already been won - by Dollar's Gary Adam - the GpN category is still to be decided, as well as several Class honours.

The rally is also a full counter in Scotland's premier one-make championship, the Brick & Steel Ecosse 205 Challenge, as well as the Beatsons Border Stages and Palmerston Furniture Five of Clubs championship.

The event will start and finish as usual at the Riverside car park in Newton Stewart, with the prize-giving being held for the first time at the town's cinema.

More information can be found at http://www.merrickstages.co.uk