Ian Gywnne piloted Colin McRae's 1992 Subaru Legacy RS
"All or Nothing" style has driven a dizzying rally career recently celebrated by friends, colleagues and fans
In motorsport, it's drivers like Jim Clark and Ayrton Senna who are revered as legends taken too soon. In rallying, it's Colin McRae and Richard Burns who were tragically lost to the sport, but not before creating a lasting legacy.
It was a cold, late-winter day that McRae, who died in 2007 in a helicopter accident, celebrated family, friends and fans as the Chester Revival Rally marked 25 years from one of the highest moments of his always dizzying career.
Back in 1995, McRae was at the height of his fame and fans loved him for his relentless pursuit. He took his work-supported Subaru Impreza by the scruff of his neck and hurled him around the stage. As was the case from the very beginning of his stellar career, there were no extra charges: all or nothing.
The 1995 World Rally Championship season soured when team bookings forced McRae to hand victory in Spain and his teammate Carlos Sainz and leave them tied for a "winner takes all" showdown at the Q Network Rats rally in the British woods. Unsurprisingly, McRae was attacked by the word go and headed to Sainz for 36sec after five hours of rallying.
Donuts and sprinkling champagne took place in the racetrack, and on this basis the recent events of the Renaissance Rally. The idea was to send a gaggle of cars and crews on a tour of Cheshire and Shropshire, taking in places from the RAC Legacy Rally. He wasn't low, but some spirited driving kept the fans well entertained.
Three crews were at the head of the action and honorary place was taken by Colin's father, Jimmy, who at 76 has not lost his passion for sports and love for his son. Jimmy rode a glorious 5.0-litre motor from Chevrolet by Mick Strafford's can-am distance and, at the end of an emotional day, confirmed that it was a “great day”.
Nicky Grist was Colin's co-driver for six tumultuous seasons, and he brought his Toyota Celica GT4 from the event, with current British World Rally Champion Matt Edwards on the ride. Then the restless Jan Gwin drove a Subaru Legacy that McRae finished second at the 1992 Swedish Rally.
The rest of the field included 555-livery Imprezas, Mk2 Ford Escorts and even bracketed Lancia Stratos replicas. The fans came out, the drivers put on a show, and it was a wonderful way to honor the man who inspired a whole generation of rally fans.
Paul Lawrence
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