The McRae Rally Challenge (2 - 3 July) was originally scheduled for 2020 on the 25th anniversary of the Lanark legend’s win, but the pandemic forced organisers to delay plans.
McRae’s family, including five-time British Championship-winning father Jimmy and brother and former WRC driver Alister will be in attendance at Knockhill race circuit near Edinburgh.
Alister is the top seed in a Hyundai Accent WRC, while Jimmy (Ford Escort RS1800) and Max (Alister’s son, Ford Fiesta Rally2) are also on the entry list for the two-day rally, which features 10 special stages covering almost 62km.
Current Toyota Gazoo Racing driver Elfyn Evans will be present on the second day, no doubt taking a close interest in father Gwyndaf’s progress aboard his own Ford Escort RS1800. Gwyndaf will be co-driven by Phil Mills, who partnered Petter Solberg to the 2003 crown.
Former world champion Stig Blomqvist was due to drive a five-litre Chevrolet Firenza and also complete demonstration runs aboard an Audi Quattro – the car in which he won the 1984 championship.
Travel problems mean he will not now make the trip but co-driver Luis Moya, a double world champion alongside Carlos Sainz and former team-mate to Colin McRae, will still be present.
There has been plenty of good-natured teasing within the McRae clan ahead of the rally.
“It’s fair to say there’s been a wee bit of talking going on in the family for the last few months,” smiled Alister. “The old boy still thinks he’s got it – he’s out in a MkII Escort, I’m in a Hyundai Accent WRC and Max is driving a [Ford Fiesta] Rally2 car for the first time.
“It’s going to be a phenomenal weekend up at Knockhill. There’s something like 24 of Colin’s cars going to be there, the whole family’s coming out and a lot of friends from around the world.”
Pictures: Prodrive
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