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McRae world title celebrated in GB
Celebrations highlighting the 20th anniversary of Colin McRae’s world title will feature at next week’s Wales Rally GB (12 - 15 November).
The Scot became the youngest-ever world champion by winning the 1995 rally, and his achievement will be remembered at the 13th and final round of this year’s FIA World Rally Championship.
The Colin McRae:Tribute to a Legend display (pictured bottom) in the Deeside service park will house the Subaru Imprezas in which he won the GB event in 1995 and 1997, alongside two of his Ford Focus RS World Rally Cars. Other attractions will include race suits, pace notes and trophies.
His former co-drivers, Derek Ringer and Nicky Grist, will attend all weekend, while mother Margaret, wife Alison and daughter Hollie will also join the celebrations.
McRae’s father, five-time British champion Jimmy, will compete in the rally’s national section in a Vauxhall Firenza. He will also flag away the first car from Thursday evening’s start.
That will be a NR4-specification Subaru WRX STI driven by seven-time Rally America champion David Higgins, which will carry McRae’s iconic blue and yellow 1995 livery. The car (pictured), entered by Subaru America, has been built by British specialist JRM and is the newest production rally car in the world.
“It doesn’t seem 20 years ago that Margaret and I were at the finish in Chester celebrating Colin’s achievement,” said Jimmy. “The McRae family is humbled by the celebrations being organised in tribute to his memory.
“Colin was very popular in America, and I’m very pleased Subaru America is making the trip to this year’s Wales Rally GB. This will also be very special for David, who was a good friend of Colin’s. It will be an emotional time.”
“What we have here is a fantastic opportunity to remind people just how big Colin was and still is,” said Higgins. “It’s also really important to remember how important Colin and Derek winning the world championship was for British rallying. It put us on the map and helped give younger drivers an opportunity.”
