[null, {"document_url": "http://www.johnfife.co.uk/2013/11/rally-development-officer.html", "unformatted_src": "http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-kZmh_TmIjVQ/UnofXR69vXI/AAAAAAAAEeo/moaI1z4moPQ/s200/RoryBryant01xx.jpg", "src": "http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-kZmh_TmIjVQ/UnofXR69vXI/AAAAAAAAEeo/moaI1z4moPQ/s200/RoryBryant01xx.jpg", "formatted_filename": "RoryBryant xx", "rendered_width": 200, "rendered_height": 155}, null, null, null]

Rally - Scotland's Development Officer Rory Bryant has been appointed the new full-time National Development Officer for all forms of motor sport in Scotland by the relatively new body, Scottish Motor Sports.

SMS was created originally to enable the sport to communicate with the Scottish Government and its associated agencies, such as sportscotland, Event Scotland and Visit Scotland. Almost every other sport has such representation and an appointment such as this was long overdue.

Rory has a degree in Sport and Recreation Management from the University of Edinburgh and started his competitive career karting. After University he raced in the Ford Fiesta one-make series and was Scottish Fiesta Champion in 2010 and 2011 before moving on to the British GT Championship.

Reporting to two governing bodies as well as being part of the SMS management team, his first objective is to engage with the sport and the 104 car and bike clubs around the country. Identifying the issues facing the sport in Scotland will enable the creation of a strategic plan for the development of the sport, with submission anticipated to sportscotland later in 2014.

“We were overwhelmed with the number and quality of applicants for the post,” said Paul Carlyle, SACU (Scottish Auto Cycle Union) Chairman. “The creation of this position is a significant step forward for motor sport in Scotland and offers a great opportunity for everyone to get involved in shaping a bright future for Scottish motor sport.”

Rory actually starts work tomorrow (7th November) and will be based in sportscotland’s offices in Edinburgh. John Clark Motor Group will provide him with a car.

I’m sure we all wish him well and choosing one person to cover all forms of the sport was never going to be an easy task. The rallyists and bikers may be concerned that he’s a racer, but at least he has competition experience. He’s a mere 25 years old, but one thing’s for sure, working with car clubs and politicians will age the poor sod pretty damn quickly. Here's hoping youthful resilience and enthusiasm will see him through. I’m sure we all wish him well.

Top priorities? Closed public roads for rallying and better roads and more choice from the Forestry Commission? Any more?

Posted by John Fife at 10:52