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McRae Rally Challenge: 30 great shots of the action at spectacular Knockhill event

Colin McRae's 1995 World Championship-winning Subaru Impreza wows thousands at Knockhill. Pic: Steve Brown/DC Thomson.
Colin McRae's 1995 World Championship-winning Subaru Impreza wows thousands at Knockhill. Pic: Steve Brown/DC Thomson.

Thousands of motorsport fans flooded Knockhill for the biggest ever tribute to rally legend Colin McRae.

It was a full weekend of action at the Fife venue as drivers battled it out on the rough stuff in the McRae Rally Challenge.

And fans of the Lanark-born ace who remains Scotland’s only driver’s World Rally Champion were treated to an amazing showcase of his machinery.

McRae Rally Challenge
Part of the line-up of Colin McRae cars. Pic: Steve Brown/DC Thomson.

The highlight for many was seeing 25 of Colin McRae’s cars take to the Knockhill track.

The line-up stretched from his earliest days with Coltness Car Club to Subaru Impreza L555 BAT which carried Colin and co-driver Derek Ringer to 1995 WRC glory.

McRae Subaru Impreza
The famous 1995 WRC-winning Impreza L555 BAT. Pic: Steve Brown/DC Thomson.

Enduring affection

McRae’s life was cut short in a devastating 2007 helicopter crash which also claimed his son and two family friends.

But despite his last victory on the world stage now being two decades ago on the Kenyan plains of the gruelling Safari Rally, he remains one of the sports most revered talents.

And that enduring popularity brought the fans flocking in their thousands over the event’s two days.

McRae Ford Focus
The Colin McRae/Nicky Grist Ford Focus on track. Pic: Steve Brown/DC Thomson.

In an emotional start to the event, a corner at the Fife circuit was officially named after the sport’s most famous rallying dynasty.

Colin’s father, Jimmy, brother Alister and 17-year-old nephew, Max all took part in the rally challenge and were there for the naming ceremony, as well as Colin’s daughter Hollie.

The event saw Knockhill bring together a collection of some of the world’s most famous rally cars and big names from the sport.

Olympic cycling legend and confirmed petrolhead Sir Chris Hoy made his rallying debut.

He is already a finisher in the legendary Le Mans 24 Hours sportscar race and revelled in the new challenge.

Sir Chris Hoy
Sir Chris Hoy with his four-year-old daughter Chloe at the event. Pic: Steve Brown/DC Thomson.

Colin’s former co-driver, Welshman Nicky Grist and current Toyota World Rally Championship driver Elfyn Evans were also at Knockhill.

And a truck tribute to the flying Scot took to the track alongside the World Championship-winning Impreza.

McRae Rally Challenge
Thousands flocked to the McRae Rally Challenbge. Pic: Steve Brown/DC Thomson.

Scenes of Colin in action grace the lorry, as well as his famous slogan: “If in doubt, flat out”.

A limited run of 200 models of the truck have also been produced to help raise money for the Maggie’s cancer charity.

Photographer Steve Brown captured the action and crowds at Knockhill.

McRae Rally Challenge
Mechanics get to work between the stages.
Knockhill rally challenge
One young fans enjoys the spectacle.
Knockhill Rally Challenge
An Audi Quattro and MG Metro 6R4 on track.
McRae Rally Challenge at Knockhill
Spectacular action on the stages.
Knockhill rally challenge
Fans take in the line-up of McRae machinery.
McRae Rally Challenge
Working on the rally cars between stages.
Knockhill rally stage
Tackling the Knockhill rally stages.
Subaru Impreza L555 BAT
The star attraction

 

Knockhill rally event
Tyre-smoking action on the pit straight.
Jimmy McRae
Colin McRae’s father, Jimmy took part in the Rally Challenge.
McRae Rally Challenge
Ready for the countdown.
McRae Rally Challenge at Knockhill
The stunning parade of Colin McRae’s cars.
Junior rally challenge
A junior rally competitor in action.
McRae Rally event
Fans enjoy the action.
Sir Chris Hoy
Sir Chris Hoy in his Mitsubishi Lancer.
Elfyn Evans
Current WRC ace Elfyn Evans was at the event.
McRae Rally Challenge
Action on the gravel stages.
Sir Chris Hoy
A fan grabs a selfie with Sir Chris Hoy.
Knockhill rally challenge
Spectators were there in numbers.
Knockhill
On-stage action with the Queensferry Crossing as a backdrop.
Knockhill rally challenge
Kiaran Cooper and Antony Kincaid from Belfast with signed Jimmy McRae model cars at the event.
Ford Sierra
A Ford Sierra rally car bearing the McRae family names.

Subaru Impreza

Knockhill rally challenge
Sidewways action in a Ford Escort MkII.

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