Motorsport: Champions pay tribute to Colin McRae

Sep 18 2008 by George Topp, Hamilton Advertiser

A ‘CHAMPION’ turn-out is promised for the forthcoming Pirelli Tyre-supported Colin McRae Forest Stages Rally.

Based in Perth on September 27, the final round of this year’s national County Saab MSA Scottish Rally Championship is set to become the biggest rallying event ever seen in Scotland.

Organised by Lanarkshire-based Coltness Car Club, this year’s event will mark the first anniversary of the tragic accident that claimed the life of the former World Rally Champion, his son, and two family friends.

More than 180 entries were received from around the world for the 140 available spaces, which in itself is a number way above what even Britain’s best rallies normally attract.

Paying tribute are five former World Rally Champion. Bjorn Waldegard (1979), Ari Vatanen (1981), Hannu Mikkola (1983), and Stig Blomqvist (1984).

Louise Aitken-Walker, the first Scot and Briton to win the Ladies’ World Rally Championship also competes.

They will all be driving period historic rally cars in their own ‘rally within a rally’ at this event.

Joining them will be John Buffom, Travis Pastrana and Ken Block from the USA, while the British champions’ line-up includes Jim McRae (1981, 82, 84, 87 and 88), Alister McRae (1995), Russell Brookes (1977 and 85), and Malcolm Wilson (1994).

Making their own personal tributes are English champion Phil Collins and Northern Ireland’s Kris Meeke, who won the British Junior title in 2002.

Topping the list of Scottish champions is Andrew Cowan, who won his first national title in 1976, but he was also won the world’s first marathon rally, from London to Sydney in a Scottish-built Hillman Hunter in 1968.

On the Friday evening (September 26), and in association with the Ford Motor Company, Coltness Car Club is staging the biggest pre-event Rally Forum ever staged in Scotland.

In addition to the champion drivers, also taking part will be Subaru World Rally Team boss and former co-driver David Richards, plus two of Colin’s former co-drivers, Derek Ringer (1995 World Champion), and Nicky Grist.

As the function suite at Perth Racecourse is limited to 350 guests, Ford World Rally Team sponsor Eddie Stobart is providing its giant truck-mounted TV screen for live coverage to rally fans gathering outside.

All of these champions have agreed to appear on stage during the evening for a chat with Forum host and well-known Scottish motorsport journalist John Fife, from Lanarkshire.

Tens of thousands of spectators, all wishing to make their own personal pilgrimage and tribute, are expected in Perthshire that weekend, and the club has had to make additional car parks available.

A list of these car park locations will be available on the Coltness Car Club website at: www.coltnesscarclub.co.uk and in programmes which will be on sale in Perth, and at the stages.

Lanarkshire fans can buy them through Strands wool shop in Bloomgate, Lanark, or via the car club’s website.