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"SOME of the most famous names in world rallying are planning their own special tribute to Colin McRae, the 1995 World Rally Champion, who died in a helicopter crash last year.
In an unprecedented move, they are planning to contest the Colin McRae Forest Stages Rally later this year.
The rally, final round of the County Saab Scottish Rally Championship, is run by Colin’s own club, South Lanarkshire-based Coltness Car Club.
The proposal, which so far features Hannu Mikkola, Ari Vatanen, Björn Waldegård and Stig Blomgvist, was hatched at a pre-Rally Mexico dinner last week.
Other world champions are also being targeted and if plans come to fruition they could all be armed with Ford Escort Mk2s and would run at the head of the field. David Richards, who co-drove Vatanen to the world title in 1981 and masterminded McRae’s early career at Subaru, is planning to be reunited with the Finn for the event on September 27.
He said: “It would be the first time I've been in a car since ’81 and I would only do it because of Colin.”
It is understood the former champions will line up in Ford Escort Mk2s and a search is already underway to source cars for the star-studded entry.
Event regulations specify two-wheel-drive cars run at the head of the field and it is believed the legendary names will lead the pack.
Colin’s father Jimmy is also planning an entry on the event, which counts as the final round of the Scottish Rally Championship. Other ex-title winners could also take part.
Campbell Roy, Colin McRae’s former business manager, said the planning process was still at an early stage but admitted the idea would be a “fitting tribute” to McRae and added: “It’s something the family are looking at but nothing has been finalised. It’s also the last year in charge of the rally for the event’s Blackwood-based Jim Brown so we had wanted to do something a bit special in any case.
“I expect people would be willing to come along for Colin but we still have a few funding issues to sort out because expenses will have to be covered and cars will have to be hired. But the idea is there and it would be great if it could happen.”
Subaru team boss David Richards, who co-drove Ari Vatanen to the 1981 world title, is due to be reunited with the Finn for the rally, which would mark the first time they have competed together since their title-winning campaign 27 years ago.
He said: “It’s purely because of Colin that I would do it. I wouldn't do it under any other circumstances.
“I’ve had a note from Hannu and Ari and I have talked about doing events but it will be the first time I’ve been in a car [with Ari] since I got out of the car in 1981.”
In an unprecedented move, they are planning to contest the Colin McRae Forest Stages Rally later this year.
The rally, final round of the County Saab Scottish Rally Championship, is run by Colin’s own club, South Lanarkshire-based Coltness Car Club.
The proposal, which so far features Hannu Mikkola, Ari Vatanen, Björn Waldegård and Stig Blomgvist, was hatched at a pre-Rally Mexico dinner last week.
Other world champions are also being targeted and if plans come to fruition they could all be armed with Ford Escort Mk2s and would run at the head of the field. David Richards, who co-drove Vatanen to the world title in 1981 and masterminded McRae’s early career at Subaru, is planning to be reunited with the Finn for the event on September 27.
He said: “It would be the first time I've been in a car since ’81 and I would only do it because of Colin.”
It is understood the former champions will line up in Ford Escort Mk2s and a search is already underway to source cars for the star-studded entry.
Event regulations specify two-wheel-drive cars run at the head of the field and it is believed the legendary names will lead the pack.
Colin’s father Jimmy is also planning an entry on the event, which counts as the final round of the Scottish Rally Championship. Other ex-title winners could also take part.
Campbell Roy, Colin McRae’s former business manager, said the planning process was still at an early stage but admitted the idea would be a “fitting tribute” to McRae and added: “It’s something the family are looking at but nothing has been finalised. It’s also the last year in charge of the rally for the event’s Blackwood-based Jim Brown so we had wanted to do something a bit special in any case.
“I expect people would be willing to come along for Colin but we still have a few funding issues to sort out because expenses will have to be covered and cars will have to be hired. But the idea is there and it would be great if it could happen.”
Subaru team boss David Richards, who co-drove Ari Vatanen to the 1981 world title, is due to be reunited with the Finn for the rally, which would mark the first time they have competed together since their title-winning campaign 27 years ago.
He said: “It’s purely because of Colin that I would do it. I wouldn't do it under any other circumstances.
“I’ve had a note from Hannu and Ari and I have talked about doing events but it will be the first time I’ve been in a car [with Ari] since I got out of the car in 1981.”
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