In early May, we caught up with Andy Jardine, Rally Scotland’s Sporting Coordinator, as he and his team were out on recce, assessing stage options for Rally Scotland’s long-awaited World Rally Championship debut in 2027. With Rally HQ and the Service Park set for P&J Live in Aberdeen, and a compact forest route planned across Aberdeenshire and surrounding areas, Jardine is helping shape the competitive heart of the event.
Q: First of all, tell us your role at Rally Scotland.
I’m the Sporting Coordinator, so I’m responsible for putting together the competitive side of the event. That means the route, the schedule and the whole sporting framework, from reconnaissance and scrutineering right through to the final time control and confirmed results.
Q: What will the format look like?
The WRC has a format that works well, and we expect Rally Scotland to follow that. Reconnaissance on Tuesday and Wednesday, shakedown on Thursday morning, then the ceremonial start, maybe a Thursday night stage, and three full days of competition finishing with the Power Stage around lunchtime on Sunday.
Q: What equipped you for this role?
I grew up in rallying in Scotland. I started marshalling at club events, then moved into co-driving. I even did the 1991 Lombard RAC Rally with George Porteous in a Toyota Corolla GT. We finished 53rd overall and sixth in class, which still sounds pretty good to me!
Q: How well do you know the roads around Aberdeen?
Very well. This region has proper rally heritage. You’ve got events like the Grampian Forest Rally and the Speyside Stages nearby, and the heritage of former classics like the Granite City Rally. There are some brilliant roads here, and that’s one of the big reasons this event can be so strong.
Q: What makes building a new WRC route different?
You’re not just picking good stages. You’re building something that works for the sport, for television and for spectators. The route has to reflect the character of the region, fit the WRC broadcast model and offer accessible places for families as well as committed fans.
Q: How wide an area will the route cover from P&J Live?
The route is still coming together, but most of the stages will likely sit within 30 kilometres to the south, 50 kilometres to the north and maybe 30 kilometres to the west. We know the places we want to visit. Now it’s about making sure everything fits and works for everyone involved.
Q: That sounds compact by WRC standards.
That’s one of the big strengths. P&J Live sits right in the middle of all these great forests, and that gives us the chance to build a very compact event. The drivers will love that because they won’t be stuck on huge road sections or facing long days. It’s better for the public too, because the cars are back in service where people can see them, and the stages are easier to reach.
Q: What kind of stages are you finding?There are some strong established stages around here, but I’ve also spent a lot of time exploring roads that other rallies don’t currently use. In a few cases you find out why they’re not used. In others, you find opportunities that could work very well for us. It’s been a really useful process.
Q: What kind of conditions can competitors expect?
People who know events like the Grampian Forest Rally will know the sort of roads I’m talking about – good, hard, dry, classic Scottish forestry roads. Beyond that, they’ll have to wait and see. The aim is to create something that feels distinct in the world championship.
Q: And what about a stage in the city?There’s a lot of interest in that, whether it’s a Street Stage in Aberdeen or something at P&J Live. All I can say for now is that we’re discussing the route with Aberdeen City Council in a way that makes the most of the city.
Q: When do you expect to share more?We expect to have an outline route in place later this year. After that, it goes through the usual sign-off process with the FIA and other stakeholders. We’ll make announcements when the time is right, but there’s a lot to get through before then!
