David Alexander beats his dad Gordon in Scottish forest rally at Galloway

Nov 4 2011 by Mike WIlson, Ayrshire Post (main ed)

DAVID ALEXANDER beat his dad Gordon when the final Scottish forest rally of 2011 took place on Sunday in the forests of Galloway.

Mechanics supporting both crews were busy in the week leading up to the event as necessary spare parts to repair previous damage became available. Both crews had to carry out gearbox work.

Despite the recent wet weather, the forest roads around Castle Douglas were in good condition and allowed the crews to test their capabilities to the full.

In the head to head between Gordon and David, first blood went to Gordon as he pulled out a slender lead in the first forest. David and his co driver, Jock Frew, were pleased with their pace as this was David's first competitive drive in a forest.

They decided to push harder in the second forest and this resulted in a time consuming excursion into a ditch which allowed Gordon to extend his and co driver Ian Clark's lead.

Both cars were checked before the trip to a forest to the south. With the confidence of youth, David was sure he would be able to claw back the time he'd already lost to his more experienced father.

Coming out of the third forest Gordon's Nova developed an ignition misfire which worsened on the next section causing his premature retirement.

David and Jock's pace picked up in the last two tests but they exercised enough caution to make sure they completed them with no further incidents.

David was delighted to finish his first forest event, and beat his dad, but was quick to thank everyone who made his participation possible, especially East Ayrshire Car Club president Ian Gemmell who lent his own Vauxhall Nova rally car for the event. Both crews are planning further outings during 2012.