Last week, the motor
sports papers, mags and websites were full of tributes to a lost star. And rightly
so. Colin McRae MBE touched so many lives in so many different ways. From the
computer screen generation listening to those couthy tones and watching Subarus
and Fords dancing on the screen to those more fortunate who saw the man and
machine in full three dimensional action, hurling cars at unbelievable speeds into
the unknown.
This weekend it's Coltness Car Club's
turn to pay tribute, but not just to Colin. The whole McRae family have been a
part of the club since Jim took up rallying in 1974 after a career
moto-crossing, or motor cycle scrambling as it was called in those days. As
wife Margaret observed: "I was happier, because I thought cars were safer
than motor bikes - if only I knew!"
At 31 years of age, Jim was a late
starter in rallying, and who knows, had he taken to rallying before he
discovered bikes maybe Scotland could have had its first world rally champion a
lot sooner.
Even then, rallying was changing. And
fast. Four wheel drive, turbos, superchargers, power steering, sequential
shifts, suspension, electronics, tyres and of course Pace Notes.
The sport demanded more of its drivers
too. Top drivers had to become top athletes to cope with the physical demands
and the pressure. Talent behind the wheel was not enough.
Then along comes a skinny, gangly young
man who turned that theory on its head. If it was front wheel drive, rear wheel
drive or four wheel drive he would simply jump in and drive the wheels off it.
The biggest problem was getting him to slow down, and countless relatives, friends
and team managers tried to do so over the years. But it was that innate
ability, courage and spectacular car control that endeared him to countless
rally fans around the world.
Like Colin and his Dad before him. Alister
came through motor cycle trials and motocross too, but it was 'dodgy motocross
knees' that encouraged him to switch from two wheels to four. It could be argued
that Alister was just as quick as his big brother but he had a more 'thinking'
approach to the sport. He was also a bit more flamboyant and talkative outside
the car. Two quite different personalities and two quite different attitudes to
the sport.
And yet, throughout all that fan
hysteria and public clamour, all three of them would drop into clubnights when
they had the time. Even at the height of his fame, Colin enjoyed the clubnights.
It was the one chance he could relax amongst friends. He wasn't 'on stage' he
was one of the 'bears'. Both he and Alister were ribbed mercilessly about their
exploits whether winning, losing or crashing. Nothing was off limits, and
everything that happened within the club, stayed within the club.
Coltness Car Club celebrated its 60th
anniversary 3 years ago and the McRaes have been a central part of this club
for over 40 of those years. So this Saturday's one-off 'McRae Gravel Challenge'
at Craigvinean Forest will commemorate not only a lost club member but the
whole family. Although Alister now lives in Australia, faither will be there.
Jim will be on Course Car duty.
What Coltness have planned is unusual,
four stages in one forest in one day. Facilities and space are limited so if
you're planning to come, bear that in mind, but I can't think of a better way
to spend a Saturday. Just remember, sensible clothes and stout boots. Oh, one
other thing, if you do transgress, just 'bear' in mind who is running this
event!
Full spectator information is on the
Coltness Car Club website:
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