… CELEBRATING COLIN’S CORONATION …
The 20th anniversary of Colin McRae being crowned as Britain’s first ever World Rally Champion driver is being celebrated at this year’s Wales Rally GB (12-15 November).
It will be exactly two decades previously that on Wednesday 22 November the legendary Scot won Britain’s concluding round of the 1995 FIA World Rally Championship – then the Network Q RAC Rally – to make motor sport history. It’s an historic milestone that will be honoured with a number of special displays and parades at the 2015 event.
Sadly Colin lost his life in a tragic helicopter accident in 2007, but his father Jimmy McRae – himself a five time British Rally Champion – will be part of the celebrations. Not only will Jimmy be providing the title-winning Subaru Impreza 555 from the family’s personal collection for public display at the Wales Rally GB Service Park in Deeside but he also will be rolling back the years by contesting the Network Q WRGB National Rally that shadows the main WRC event.
Back in 1995, Colin arrived in Chester – where that year’s event was based just over the border from Deeside – locked in a titanic two-way title battle with team-mate Carlos Sainz knowing whoever won the rally would take the World Championship. Sainz had the experience of winning two previous titles but, ultimately it was the swashbuckling Scot’s hunger and better knowledge of British stages which won the day by 36 seconds after four days of nail-biting competition at record speeds.
“That week down in Chester is still one of the highlights of our lives,” recalls father Jimmy from his home Lanarkshire. “It was such a proud moment for us all. What could possibly be better than Colin winning the World Championship on home soil? It’s now hard to imagine that 20 years has passed since that amazing day but it’s very thoughtful that Wales Rally GB will be marking Colin’s greatest moment later this year. I competed on last year’s National Rally and was absolutely amazed by the crowds – it really was like what I think of as the good old days. For all the obvious reasons I’m sure this year’s event will be even more special.”
Although Colin never claimed a second World Championship, his spectacular, flamboyant and totally committed driving style won the hearts of millions of fans all over the world.
He did finish runner-up in the championship in both of the two following seasons and in doing so helped Subaru to a hat-trick of manufacturers’ titles. To this day he remains the sport’s youngest ever World Champion and his tally of 25 wins makes him Britain’s most successful rally driver. Indeed his final Safari Rally victory in 2002 was the last by a British driver right up until the moment his protégé Kris Meeke won in Argentina earlier in the current campaign.
“Colin McRae will forever be a true hero and not just to rally fans here in Britain,” remarked Ben Taylor, Managing Director of Wales Rally GB. “While obviously deeply saddened that Colin can’t be with us to celebrate the 20th anniversary of his crowning success, we are honoured that Jimmy will be with us to mark his son’s remarkable achievements. British rallying owes a tremendous debt to the whole McRae family and hopefully we can repay a little of that come Wales Rally GB in November.”
While the championship winning Subaru will be on show in the Service Park throughout the event, owners of ex-Colin McRae rally cars are being invited to join special parades at venues such as Chirk Castle and the Great Orme.
Fans wanting to experience these tributes can gain free access to the Service Park or take advantage of discounted Special Stage tickets by purchasing in advance.
The four-day World Rally Pass is the all-inclusive ticket for fans. It provides access to all the individual Special Stages as well as Thursday’s pre-event Shakedown. It is priced at £99 for adults (or just £1 for accompanied children aged 9-15) and comes with a desirable hard card and lanyard plus an event programme valued at £9.
Forest Passes offer a similar level of flexibility as the World Rally Pass but just for an individual day of the event. Again they include an official programme and can be purchased in advance for just £25 – a considerable saving on Single Stage tickets which will cost £30 on the gate. Tickets for the family friendly RallyFest at Chirk Castle again are available now for £25 with an even greater discount being offer to families. Full ticket information can be found on the WalesRallyGB.com website.
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