Monday 26th April 2004

What next for McRae?

F550 at Le Mans and a return to Rally GB?

---

It’s rumoured that the Scottish tree and flame magnet Colin McRae may make a rallying return for this years Rally GB as well as an appearance at the Le Mans 24 hours. McRae was dropped from Citroen at the end of the last season and has since competed in the Paris Dakar rally for the Nissan Rally Raid team.

He is set to compete in this year's 24 hour Le Mans in a Ferrari 550. "It's a race I'd like to do and gain a bit of experience in that field ," he told the Guardian, "If I'm going to try these things, I want to try at the right level. I don't want to go in with a second-rate team and a car that can't win its class ."

This could prove to be a very interesting race for Colin, although he has not got much experience at track racing, he impressed when driving a BTCC car back in the 1990s, and was within 2 seconds of Martin Brundle when he was invited to test the Jordan grand prix car, back in 1997.

The problem with an appearance in Rally GB lies in the WRC2004 cars that Colin would want to pilot. David Lapworth (Subaru team principle) said, “It’s not impossible but at the same time, the 2004 cars don’t become available for customers until October or November. We have talked about what Colin might be doing – he’s been around Prodrive because of his involvement with the Ferrari programme – and rallying is a natural progression of any conversation .”

Although his participation in the rally is only a rumour or a thought at the present time, Colin’s presence around the Prodrive facility for the Le Mans 550 will definitely help his chances!

This years Rally GB has been brought closer to the sun, and will now run from the 17th to the 19th of September. There are still 6 rallies to go – next one starts on the 14th May in Cyprus.

Dan Sharp

Links

• www.wrc.com
• www.prodrive.com
• www.rallye-info.com
• Subaru World Rally Team

[dinkel]

"This could prove to be a very interesting race for Colin, although he has not got much experience at track racing, he impressed when driving a BTCC car back in the 1990s, and was within 2 seconds of Martin Brundle when he was invited to test the Jordan grand prix car, back in 1997 (correction 1996)."

Have this on tape. Brundles face when Colin taking off is The guy has no fear. Remember this was without any preparation . . . Have to say Brundle was pretty quick in the Scoob . . .

July 2002 Schumy said NO to Colin switching from Rari to Focus. "I am not interessted driving highspeed through the woods . . ."

November 1999: "Driving a third TTE prepared and run Toyota Corolla WRC, Martin Brundle, co-driven by Arne Hertz, rounded off the opening leg of only his second World Championship rally in 28th place."

He got the taste . . .

[fto2tuscan]

oops, my sources said 97!

the funniest thing i've ever seen was murrey walker in a 6r4 trying to talk the viewers through the view he was getting in the codrivers seat...went something like this i beleive:

"we're going over 100 mph and theres a drop to my left and theres a hairpin up ahead and oh my god we're going to die"

legend

[kjr]

I thought it was a 550 Maranello which is what he was testing in this weekend, according to Autosport..

"The Prodrive Ferrari 550 Maranello driver set a best time of 3m56.716s on his final flying lap, a mark just 0.690s off team-mate Rickard Rydell's fastest time in the car."

[dinkel]

Wa ever. Colin is a monster and he deserves a proper seat . . .

[fto2tuscan]

bloody internet. i've got one place telling me it's a F360 and the other saying it's a 575!

BBC say 575: http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/motorsport/3577413.stm

so go with that. sorry all

[GrahamG]

Nope kjr's got it right it's not a 360 or a 575.

It's a Prodrive-built 550