Motorsport: David Bogie and Kevin Rae rally to Snowman victory

Double Scottish champions David Bogie and co-driver Kevin Rae picked up where they left off last season with a hard-fought victory on the Arnold Clark Thistle Hotel Snowman Rally, the opening round of the 2011 MSA Scottish championship.

They won three of the five forest stages north of Inverness in their Mitsubishi Evo 9, to finish with a total time of 42minutes 50 seconds, 30 seconds ahead of runners-up Euan Thorburn and Paul Beaton, also in an Evo 9.

Last year's Snowman winners, Jock Armstrong and Kirsty Riddick, secured the final podium spot, a further three seconds adrift in a Subaru Impreza.

Much of the pre-event publicity had concentrated on former works driver-turned TV presenter Robbie Head, who was contesting his first rally since 2006. Despite a burst rear brake-pipe on the penultimate stage, the Lanark driver finished seventh overall in his Mitsubishi Evo 9.

The day, though, belonged to the defending champions, with Bogie delighted with his first ever Snowman victory. "First round of the season, a high quality entry, a huge amount of spectator interest, it really was a rally I wanted to win," said the 23-year-old, who will contest the first race in the Dulux Trade British championship this weekend.

Meanwhile, Bahrain's Crown Prince will decide whether the country's season-opening Grand Prix can take place next month. The Crown Prince is leading a national dialogue after days of unrest in the Gulf kingdom left six dead. "He will decide whether it's safe for us to be there," said F1 chief Bernie Ecclestone. "We won't advise people to go unless it's safe."

Ecclestone said a decision on the 13 March race was likely to be made tomorrow. The grand prix could be moved to a later date rather than being cancelled outright.