Rallye Salamandre 2025 Report

Scott Barnes and Andy Hall got their 2025 season off to a flying start, securing a class win and their best ever finish in Belgium at last weekend’s Rallye Salamandre.

The event, based in the Beaumont region of Wallonia, was the first round of this years Flanders International Rally Challenge. It would be the first time that Scott has repeated a rally in Belgium after doing the event last year, so a good set of pacenotes and high confidence would be carried into the event. With just a few changes to the stages, the crew used the recce to identify places to attack.

Scrutineering was a typically Wallonian relaxed affair, as the officials decided it was dinner time just as the Peugeot 106 Rallye pulled up to be checked. The team waited anxiously whilst the hoards of spectators had a good look around the car. Once the officials returned from their supper, the car sailed through scrutineering and the team headed back to BP Rally HQ to prepare for the action to come.

On Sunday morning the crew were greeted by pouring rain. A quick service to start the day and wet tyres were bolted on to the 106 Rallye before Scott and Andy headed out for the first pair of stages.

Stage one, Donstiennes, was a very fast, short stage. The crew were told that a section at the end of the stage was very slippery, and the warnings were justified, with what felt like sheet ice on the shiny tarmac. Scott and Andy struggled with traction but committed as much as they could with the limited grip. They got through unscathed and headed out for the next test, Stree.

Stage 2 started on gravel and not far into the stage the team had a big moment, the back end of the Peugeot 106 getting out of shape in 5th gear, Scott just managed to keep the car out of the roadside banks. Just a little further in the stage, another big scare. On an extremely slippery bit of tar, the team locked up under braking, heading towards a house on a square junction. Scott did everything he could to scrub off speed, throwing the car down the gears, pulling on the handbrake and was just able to get the car stopped. Much to Andy’s relief, the incidents caused Scott to dial things back, making it through the stage safely.

The crew headed back to service for a quick check over and then were straight off to stage 3. As Scott and Andy arrived at the stage three, the stage ambulance rushed into the stage. The harsh reality of the dangers of our sport as a fellow competitor had had a major accident in the stage with both crew requiring medical attention. At a similar time there was another accident on the previous stage (SS2) where a car had rolled and hit a house, the crew also injured and taken to hospital. The rally was paused by the organisers, whilst the whole field waited in parc ferme. Scott and Andy would be given a notional time for SS3 and SS4.

The whole of the BP Rally team would like to wish those injured on the event a speedy recovery, we hope to see them back out on the stages soon.

On the road section back to parc ferme the 106 had developed a misfire. Scott was forced to stop and check under the bonnet, where it seemed like a chafed wire had been causing the issues. A quick temporary roadside repair by Scott, and the guys were on their way again.

After a three hour wait, the organisers managed to resume the rally, with one stage (Stree, where the house was damaged) cancelled for the rest of the day. At this point the roads had dried and the Peugeot headed to service where dry tyres could be fitted.

The car instantly felt much better in the dry conditions, Scott and Andy turned up the wick. A stunning 10th fastest overall time on stage 5 helped them jump up the leaderboard.

The next stage, Leval Show, was started with caution as the guys passed the scene of the earlier accident, but then built the pace throughout the stage.

The final stage of the loop, Renlies, was extremely fast, with Scott and Andy clocking an average speed of over 70mph for the 15km long test. Full attack mode engaged.

Back to service for another quick check over and change of tyres moving onto the medium compound Michelin’s. This may have been a brave decision, with grey clouds overhead and rain spitting on the windscreen just after the team left service and headed to the first of three stages in the final loop.

Fortunately the gamble paid off, another excellent time in the Donstiennes test, extending their now comfortable class lead.

The middle Leval Show stage was this time an all out assault. Upping a gear in places and taking every available cut on offer. The well sorted 106 Rallye seems to revel in these conditions. The push continued into the last stage and thankfully the rain held off, again setting an excellent time on the final stage.

A fantastic result achieved winning the class and bringing the Peugeot 106 Rallye home in 13th position overall. A brilliant start to the season, we could not be prouder of what the team has achieved.

Scott would like to say a massive thank you to all of our partners this year-

Satchell Engineering

TRS Motorsport

Speedline Corse

Boyles Plumbing and Heating Ltd

Allen Automotive

Performance Automotive

Carbon Collective