Hundreds of spectators packed a Moray park at the weekend to watch a popular car rally.
Saturday’s race through Cooper Park in Elgin marked the 20th anniversary of the first time the much-loved park was transformed into a motorsport venue for the day.
Finely-tuned vehicles amazed crowds by performing sharp handbrake turns in front of the historic Grant Lodge.
The cars then grazed the hedge lining the Cooper Park Bowling Green while racing against the clock before a tight turn in front of Elgin Cathedral.
The picturesque stage, which is held as part of the Speyside Stages rally, is unique on the Scottish Rally Championship calendar for taking place in the heart of a town.
A huge crowd lined the twisty section near Grant Lodge, which is normally used as a car park, to catch a glimpse of the cars while experiencing the noise and smell of the machinery.
The Cooper Park challenge has been a fixture of the event, which is organised by the local 63 Car Club, since 1999.
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The weekend’s field of 93 cars navigated the car parks, hay bales and sped past the tennis courts twice before heading to forests south of Huntly to complete the event.
Clerk of the course Neil Shanks explained the town centre challenge had helped to promote the sport to new audiences for two decades.
He said: “Usually these events just take place out in forests where really only those that know about it or the real enthusiasts will go to.
“It’s a really unique event now. The spectators love it and we always get a lot of people out to watch at Grant Lodge and then in front of the cathedral.
“It’s spectacular for people to watch, particularly as it’s a park that everyone uses and enjoys for 364 days a year. Watching rally cars there is certainly different from what they’re normally used to.”
