His son Colin became a World Rally champion. His son Alister became a British Rally champion. His grandson Max was born and has then become an M-Sport driver in the British Rally Championship.
A lot has changed since record five-time British champion Jimmy McRae last competed in the BRC. But next weekend, McRae returns at Scotland’s Grampian Forest Rally.
Rallying has of course changed a lot since 1993. Next weekend’s event is a mere 57 miles compared to the 151 the 1993 Scottish offered, when McRae was last seen in the British championship.
But Jimmy isn’t searching for a result – instead seeking an opportunity to commemorate the 50th anniversary since he started rallying in a car that “got him noticed”: the Ford Escort Mk1.
“I’d thought for a while that it would be nice to do a Scottish event on my 50th year and it wasn’t long before everyone had come together and helped to make it happen for the Grampian,” McRae said, who will be co-driven by M-Sport’s Gail Whyte.
Jimmy McRae will take to stages near home at the wheel of a Ford Escort Mk1
“It seemed like the perfect event with the BRC heading there and with Max doing it as well, it would be extra special.”
McRae will compete in the ‘National Rally Title’ section of the championship for non-homologated cars.
“I was lucky enough to compete in probably the best ever era of the British championship and the sport in general, but it’s really nice to come back in my 50th year,” McRae added.
“It’s a little surreal to think my name may be on the points tables after all these years.”
Having his grandpa share the stages with him will be a special moment for Max, who’ll vie for overall honors in a Ford Fiesta Rally2.
Max McRae will drive alongside Jimmy in an M-Sport-run Ford Fiesta Rally2
“It will be very special to have him complete alongside me, obviously in very different machinery,” Max said.
“He always tries to be at as many events [that I compete in] as he can and even manages to make some overseas events. He has been a huge help in the development of my driving.
“From an early age he was getting me into different cars and learning the basics and so it will be very special to see him back competing in a rally.”
The Grampian will be Jimmy’s first competitive event since the 2022 McRae Rally Challenge (where he also drove on the same stages as Max), and last on gravel since the 2019 Wales Rally GB National.
It is round four of this year’s British championship, which is currently led by M-Sport WRC2 driver and reigning Junior WRC champion William Creighton.
