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BBC News
10 hours ago
- Automotive
- BBC News
The town centre that turns into a 100mph racetrack
For one night each year, the normally quiet main street of Dunoon is transformed into a seaside town's Argyll Street and surrounding roads are closed, and rally drivers from across the UK take their turn racing around them reaching speeds of up to Argyll Rally is currently Scotland's only motor sporting event that sees racing take part on a town centre event returns this weekend for its fifth year and this time the start list features five local teams who have been inspired to take up the sport due to the local event. On a normal day, if 37-year-old Matt Youden saw a car speeding through Dunoon, he'd be forced to take action as a local police this weekend it is his turn to told BBC Scotland News: "When you're in a rally car, strapped in with your helmet on, it's a totally different feeling to driving about in my normal 4x4 car."It certainly is a wee bit different to going for your morning rolls."Matt grew up around rally driving as his dad used to race, but it wasn't until he was stationed in Dunoon he decided to take up the hobby for action takes place over two days. As well as the Dunoon town centre stage, drivers race on routes in some of the Cowal peninsula's most scenic locations including routes in Glendaruel and said he doesn't pay much attention to the speedometer during a race, but he expects to reach speeds of up to if the adrenaline is comparable to a high-speed police chase, Matt replied: "No, because there's usually a lot of paperwork at the end of that." The town's veteran racer is David Robertson, 53, who is competing for the third and raised in Dunoon, he took up rally driving as a result of watching the event and said racing in his home town was special."I wouldn't be doing this if it wasn't for the Argyll Rally coming to the town," David told BBC Scotland News."You know, the feeling of everybody cheering you when you come round that first corner. It's just special, it brings a tear to your eye."The rules state local drivers aren't supposed to try out the routes prior to a pre-arranged recce before the event - to make sure they aren't given an unfair David, a local courier, spends every day driving on Dunoon's roads, so he feels like he knows the roads like the back of his said this is a bonus, but driving in his van is completely different to his Ford Fiesta rally car."Every time I come up Argyll Street street, I'm analysing the road, thinking about what's the quickest line," he said."When I'm working, I'll spot a pothole and think, I'll need to watch out for that on rally night."He is piloted by his wife Jen, who gives him instructions throughout the race. As well as locals, over 100 of the country's fastest drivers head to the region for the draws hundreds of spectators but some locals aren't in favour of the event saying it is unsafe and road closures are say that strict safety protocols are implemented to ensure the safety of drivers and spectators, and the event is good for the local Moulson from Dunoon Presents told BBC Scotland News the event was worth around £500,000 to the local area through visitor spend, and it has a "tangible community feel" to it.
Yahoo
17-04-2025
- Business
- Yahoo
Evolution Mining approves $273m Cowal expansion project in Australia
Evolution Mining's board has approved an A$430m ($273.15m) investment to expand its Cowal Gold Operations in New South Wales (NSW), Australia. The Cowal Open Pit Continuation (OPC) project will add an estimated two million ounces (moz) of gold production and extend the mine's life by ten years to 2042. The decision follows approval last year from the NSW Department of Planning, Housing and Infrastructure and the Federal Government earlier this year. The OPC project includes continued mining at the existing E42 pit and the development of three new satellite pits – E46, GR and E41 – to the north and south of E42. Evolution Mining managing director and CEO Lawrie Conway said: 'Today, the Board has approved the project, which has compelling returns of 71% at current spot gold price and a short payback period. It will contribute to the goal of sustaining Cowal's current production rate, while at the same time delivering significant economic benefits for all stakeholders. 'The project represents a major milestone for Cowal, unlocking the potential for further sustained growth, enhanced shareholder returns, and the opportunity to leave a lasting positive impact for our stakeholders and the communities in which we operate.' Evolution Mining said that exploration efforts are ongoing, targeting further mineralisation that could support underground mining. The expansion of open-pit operations will enable access to high-grade ore underground, supporting plans to increase underground output to 2.4 million tonnes by fiscal year 2026 (FY26). At that point, underground production is expected to account for around 30% of total mine feed and 50% of gold output. Since its acquisition by Evolution Mining in 2015, the Cowal operation has generated more than A$1.62bn in net mine cash flow, including A$479m in the first nine months of FY25. Evolution Mining operates six mines across Australia and Canada, with Cowal being one of its wholly owned sites. "Evolution Mining approves $273m Cowal expansion project in Australia" was originally created and published by Mining Technology, a GlobalData owned brand. The information on this site has been included in good faith for general informational purposes only. It is not intended to amount to advice on which you should rely, and we give no representation, warranty or guarantee, whether express or implied as to its accuracy or completeness. You must obtain professional or specialist advice before taking, or refraining from, any action on the basis of the content on our site. Sign in to access your portfolio
