For Colin McRae, it was always easier to find his limit by going over it. If he wasn’t getting stuck in a ditch, he was as sideways as he’d want to get without doing so. Colin transcended rallying and epitomized the never-give-up approach which defined his career.
This weekend we are celebrating the 25th anniversary of Colin’s only World Rally Championship title. Colin was much more than just a rally driver; he was also an entertainer who brought in a swathe of new fans to the WRC.
The dry-witted Lanarkshire maverick also left a marked impression with McKlein’s Colin McMaster, whose pleasure it was to pick out his favorite shots of McRae.
1990 RAC Rally. Ford Sierra Cosworth – 6th
This was the rally where Colin McRae properly stepped out of his famous father’s shadow and showed what he was all about. It was a tale of mishaps and repairs as well as perseverance and determination. Right from the start on the Sunday stages McRae Jr began modifying the shape of his Sierra, a trend that continued to the finish where even co-driver Derek Ringer’s door was held shut by a bolt, scavenged from a farmer’s gate.
1992 1,000 Lakes Rally, Finland. Subaru Legacy RS – 8th
McRae’s first visit to Finland is the stuff of legends. In the week he was there the Scot managed to roll his Legacy and estimated 13 times. Prodrive kept on repairing it and he kept on going. Nowhere on the planet is a nation so keen and knowledgeable on rallying than in Finland. When it comes to drivers the Finns are stoically jingoistic, however they still hold McRae in the upmost regard, much of this goes back to the 1992 1,000 Lakes. He had their Sisu in bucket loads.
Safari Rally 1993. Subaru Vivio 660cc - Retired
A driver with a big heart, in a little car on the world’s roughest rally was never going to end well. Despite a mammoth effort, McRae’s first visit to Kenya ended in retirement, when the wheels literally fell of the tiny Subaru Vivio. Later in his career McRae became a real Safari expert, winning the rally three times [1997, 1999, 2002]
Rally New Zealand 1993. Subaru Legacy RS – 1st
McRae’s first WRC win was the perfect scenario for both driver and team. New Zealand’s roads are revered by all who tackle them, only the best win this rally. Prodrive had a new weapon ready to roll, the Subaru Impreza, however Japan decreed that they could not campaign the Impreza before the Legacy had won at WRC level. McRae delivered on time.
1994 RAC Rally. Subaru Impreza 555 – 1st
McRae’s first of three victories on his home rally brought the sport to the attention of the UK national media. On the podium in Chester McRae and Ringer were joined by the 1972 RAC winners Roger Clark and Tony Mason.
1995 RAC Rally. Subaru Impreza 555 – 1st
12 months on from winning his first RAC McRae repeated the feat, but this time the World Championship crown came with it. The scenes at Chester racecourse on 22 November 1995 will live long in the memory.
Sanremo Rally 1996. Subaru Impreza 555 – 1st
McRae’s title defence was an unmitigated disaster, punctuated by retirements, accidents and a hefty [US$75,000] FIA fine for an incident during Rally Argentina. He did bounce back strongly and won the final two events of the year, on the asphalt in Italy and Spain.
Rally Australia 1997. Subaru Impreza WRC ’97 – 1st
McRae on the downhill jumps on the Bunnings stage in Australia has gone down in rally folklore. Sometimes pictures do say more than words can tell.
Rally Portugal 1999. Ford Focus WRC – 1st
1999 heralded a switch to Ford for McRae, driving the new M-Sport-built Focus. Malcolm Wilson loves to wax lyrical about the car’s first win, on only its third ever event [Safari Rally] with McRae at the wheel. However, we feel the second victory, on the following event in Portugal, is equally as impressive. After just three stages McRae had built a lead of over 30 seconds.
Cyprus Rally 2002. Ford Focus RS WRC 02 – 6th
If ever there was a moment to sum up the spirit of Colin McRae, it was Cyprus 2002. He led the rally on the final day. It didn’t quite go to plan, but he kept on going. Sure, he disappointed a few people that day, however others would’ve given up completely – but not Colin. It’s the moments like these that live on in the memory and the make the legend grow.
