National Rally Centre

Scotland could soon be playing host to a £3.5 million facility for Rally enthusiasts

By PH Staff / Monday, 4 November 2002 / Loading comments

Former Scottish Rally Champion Alan Wood tries to find the new site

The creation of the UK's first National Rally Centre has moved a stage closer with the unveiling of plans by Scottish Coal and the Royal Scottish Automobile Club for a state-of-the-art rally training, education and hospitality centre at a Scottish site in the Douglas Valley.

The plans, submitted to South Lanarkshire Council this week, would involve an incredible £3.5million investment in the centre which will be built at the former Dalquhandy opencast coal mine south of Lesmahagow.

The proposed Centre will feature more than 20 kilometres of track and host up to six major events a year. The possibilities include two single-venue rallies, spectator stages for established national and international events and two televised rallysprint events.

The Rally Centre with its proposed woodland setting, has also received the support of the Motor Sports Association, the governing body for motor sport in the UK. With plans for extensive training, instructional and educational facilities for drivers, co-drivers and officials, as well as commercial use for multi-national teams and manufacturers, it would provide a British centre of excellence for rally driving.

Mining ceased at the Dalquhandy opencast coal mine earlier this year after more than 14 years of operations. Restoration work is currently ongoing.