Michael Binnie and co-driver Claire Mole thrilled to defend Snowman Rally title

By Danny Law

March 6 2022, 4:05 pm

The defending Snowman Rally winners Michael Binnie and Claire Mole. Image: Sandy McCook/DC Thomson

Michael Binnie and Claire Mole successfully defended their AM Phillip Trucktech Snowman Rally title in Inverness on Saturday.

Binnie, who is from Cornhill-on-Tweed, and Duns co-driver Mole triumphed when the event was last held in 2020.

They claimed victory again in their Mitsubishi Lancer Evo9 in a time of 42 minutes with Jock Armstrong and Cameron Fair finishing 19 seconds behind.

Binnie was thrilled to defend his title and win the opening race of the 2022 Scottish Rally Championship.

Michael Binnie and Claire Mole defended their Snowman Rally title.

Aberdeen’s Freddie Milne had been leading going into the final stage before mechanical issues in his Ford Fiesta R5 cost him the chance to top the podium.

Milne was on course for victory until his Fiesta cut out unexpectedly midway through the closing stage and it took more than a minute to get the car restarted.

Binnie said: “I didn’t expect to win the Snowman again in my wildest dreams.

“Freddie had issues and that can happen to anybody.

“We felt comfortable all day and we didn’t do anything stupid.

“It is great to win. We have done a lot of work getting the car ready this year.”