|
The 1990 RSAC Scottish Rally saw Finnish star Pentti Airikkala take part in the National section of the event driving a prototype Ford Sierra Cosworth 4x4. This was quite a coup for the rally, as Pentti had won the Lombard RAC Rally, a round of the World Championship, only a few months before and his driving of the Sierra was spectacular. Pentti won the National rally with ease but didn’t consider it fair to accept the trophy, which he handed back to RSAC Motorsport for annual award to someone working beyond the call of duty behind the scenes.
Eighteen years later, the Pentti Airikkala Trophy (as it was re-named) has become an award coveted by our rally officials. The first winner, in 1991, was Jonathan Lord, the Clerk of the Course, and since then it has been won by representatives of virtually every part of the organising team. Nearly all the previous winners are still involved with the organisation of the rally.
The 2008 award marks a departure from the norm. For the first time the winner is a representative of the Forestry Commission. Jamie Smith has been the link between the rally and the Ae District Office for the last two years and has worked tirelessly to ensure good quality stages for the competitors; safe conditions for the competitors, officials, marshals and spectators; and the minimum of inconvenience to the general public.
Winners of the Pentti Airikkala Trophy
| 1991 | Jonathan Lord |
| 1992 | Peter Burnside and Syd Thomson |
| 1993 | Mike Gascoigne |
| 1994 | Margaret Sword |
| 1995 | John Cowan |
| 1996 | Graeme Chivers |
| 1997 | Robert Smith |
| 1998 | Eleanor Cordiner |
| 1999 | Jeremy Clarke |
| 2000 | Ian and Catherine Higgins |
| 2001 | Keith Butler |
| 2002 | Not awarded |
| 2003 | Peter Stanhope |
| 2004 | Alan Dalziel |
| 2005 | Not awarded |
| 2006 | Tom Telfer |
| 2007 | Stewart Robertson |
| 2008 | Jamie Smith |
|
