Snowman kicks-off 2016 SRCposted in RSCOT19 | 02 | 2016

THE SCOTTISH RALLY CHAMPIONSHIP gets underway tomorrow with 121 entries tackling the traditional season opener, the Inverness-based Snowman Rally.

Last year's champion, Jock Armstrong from Castle Douglas, will again be partnered by co-driver Paula Swinscoe in their Subaru Impreza. And Armstrong admits the duo face a tough challenge this year.

"Of course it was fantastic to win last year," Armstrong, who won two rounds last season on his way to the ARR Craib-backed title, said today, "but I think it's going to be even tougher this year.

"There are a number of guys who are determined, like me, to win the championship. Guys like Mike Faulkner, Donnie MacDonald, Shaun Sinclair and Bruce McCombie will all be doing their best to wrestle the title away from me."

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And Armstrong, who won last year's Snowman (pictured above during the 2015 Snowman) — which again will live up to its name this weekend, with many stages covered by snow and ice — will also face stiff competition from John MacCrone.

The talented 26-year-old Scot from Mull returns to action for the first time since being involved in a fatal crash in which his co-driver Andrew Mort was killed during the Mull Rally last October.

The former Junior SRC champion returns to the championship piloting a Ford Fiesta R5, co-driven by Rhianon Gelsomino.

MacCrone is expected to make a big push for the 2016 SRC title before potentially moving up to the British Rally Championship next year.

Five-times Scottish champ, Dumfries ace David Bogie, has already committed to the BRC for this season piloting a Skoda Fabia R5.

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Jim McGill

Photo Copyright: LindsayPhotoSport