2027’s Jim Clark Rally to feature three new Kelso stages

2027’s 115-mile edition, the 50th since the event’s launch in 1970 as a tribute to late Borders racing driver Jim Clark, will start on Friday, May 28, and run to Sunday, May 30.

Duns will host the rally’s usual opening shakedown and ceremonial start on the 28th but it’s all change after that as it moves on to Kelso for three new stages, the first of them at Floors Castle and the next two, both over 11 miles, on closed public roads west of the 1721-built estate house, home to Charles Innes-Ker, the 11th Duke of Roxburghe.

The first of those latter two stages will be a revised version of the old Roxburgh test and the second is a new one at Crailing.

That Friday night loop will then be run again after dark, totalling 56 stage miles.

Just short of 60 competitive miles will follow on the 29th, with stages taking in Polwarth, Blackadder and Eccles before proceedings wrap up in Duns.

The 115-plus miles to be covered by next year’s rally, sponsored once again by Grantshouse-based Borders Competitions, are 15 more than this year’s route, making it the longest Jim Clark Rally for over a decade.

A route revamp is also being lined up for Sunday the 30th’s 58-mile Jim Clark Reivers’ Rally, taking in Bothwell and Abbey St Bathans and adding a new stage at Manderston.

Organising committee chairman Dan Wright is looking forward to seeing the rally following a revised route, saying: “We are incredibly excited to unveil our proposed route for the 2027 Jim Clark Rally and reivers’ rally.

“We have had a format and route which have been hugely successful but we also want the Jim Clark Rally to remain innovative and continue to evolve.

“Bringing the rally back into the Kelso area on the Friday night is a hugely exciting development.

“The people of Kelso have been wanting to see the rally return to the area for quite some time, so we are delighted that this year’s route allows us to do that in such a spectacular way.

“Floors Castle gives us an incredible backdrop for the opening stage and, thanks to the generosity of the estate and the Duke of Roxburghe, we have been able to create something genuinely different for competitors and spectators.

“The fact that spectators will be able to enjoy the stage at Floors Castle free of charge is fantastic, and we hope it will provide a real focal point for fans on Friday afternoon.

“Then we have Roxburgh and Crailing, both of which offer fantastic closed-road rallying, before the crews come back to Duns and tackle the whole thing again in darkness – 56 competitive miles on the Friday night is going to be a serious challenge.

“Saturday then brings the Jim Clark Rally back to some of its classic stages while the reivers’ gets a significant shake-up of its own.

“We wanted to give the reivers’ crews the opportunity to experience some of the stages that have traditionally formed part of the Jim Clark Friday night route, including Bothwell and Abbey St Bathans. It gives the Sunday event its own identity while offering competitors some fantastic roads.

“Ultimately, we want the rally to be exciting for crews and fans alike. There is a huge amount for everyone to look forward to, and with increased mileage, new stages and new locations, we hope to attract another sensational entry to the Borders.

“Fan-zones will again be a major focus for us, giving spectators safe and spectacular opportunities to watch the action throughout the weekend.

“We cannot wait to welcome everyone to Duns, Kelso and the wider Borders region on Friday, Saturday and Sunday, May 28, 29 and 30, 2027.”

This year’s rally was won by South Ayrshire-based Max McRae, with Cammy Fair as his sidekick, in a Skoda Fabia RS Rally2, and first place in the reivers’ rally went to Duns driver Garry Pearson, accompanied by Hannah McKillop, in a Ford Fiesta Rally2.