THERE was always something a bit special about seeing the late Colin McRae blast through the forests, regardless of what he was piloting at the time. Whether it was the distinctive, flat rumble from a Subaru, and recognisable bark of a Metro 6R4, or the classic scream of a MkII Escort, Colin always appeared to go quicker in the woods.
Perhaps fitting then that a decade after the passing of the former world champion, Coltness Car Club, the club the Lanark driver supported and was a member of throughout his career, have gone back to what could be described as his natural habitat for the McRae Gravel Challenge, run exclusively through the classic Craigvinean complex, just north of Perth.
Fifty of Scotland’s most competitive crews will chase the honours over the four timed tests, led by five-times former Scottish champion David Bogie, at the wheel of his Skoda Fabia R5, using the outing as a shakedown for the Wales Rally GB.
Second to him on the road, and desperate to make a mark on proceedings, will be Quintin Milne in his Subaru Impreza WRC, while ‘traditionalists’ will be delighted to see the Ford Escort of Steve Bannister entered to round off the top 10.
For rally manager Stuart Sheridan, Saturday will be the culmination of an extensive planning operation, and, an even more demanding preparations.
“While we ran a very successful Challenge event under Colin’s name a few years back around Knockhill. and while the option always remains open to again go down that road, I think a great many of us looked to commemorate Colin’s career with an event back in the forests which he loved so much,” said Sheridan. “I also think true rally fans, while supportive of the tarmac competition at Knockhill, were traditionalists at heart; they wanted a forest event, and through a lot of hard work, assistance and support, we’ve been able to deliver.”
Over the last few years, rallying has undergone a transformation, particularly around the running of events and spectator safety after some high-profile accidents. To meet with safety specifications, designated spectator zones have been constructed within Craigvinean, and coupled with the cost of forest road use (the bill for tomorrow coming in north of £25,000), the demands of staging such an event is restrictive.
“We may see more of these kind of events in the future, a short, sharp rally of 30 competitive miles, as organisers are being priced out of longer events," Sheridan added.
“The single-venue also cuts back on spectator traffic as well. All of these things are now serious considerations when trying to hold a successful rally based in the forests of Scotland."
Colin’s brother Alister won the Knockhill rally in 2015, but as he lives and works now in Australia, family honours will be upheld by father Jimmy, the former five-time British champion, who will run course opening car on Saturday with a piece of exotica from yesteryear.
Jimmy will be driving a classic Vauxhall Firenza, a car he has used previously in historic events, the minor difference being that this version runs a Chevrolet V8. So you guaranteed to hear him before you see him.
Related story: Colin McRae: Remembering a Scottish sporting icon a decade on
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