Thirty years ago, things were looking bleak in the
young Colin McRae's onslaught on the sport of rallying. At the finish of the
1990 season he had nothing in prospect for 1991. His career could so easily have
come off the road at that point - and then the phone rang. The outcome of which
he scored his first major 'international' rally title, and won the 1991 British
Rally Championship crown.
Prior to that, he was just another aspiring rally driver although many
were already becoming aware of this rising precocious and prodigious talent,
including some of the more far-sighted rally mags at that time. As such he
became sought after as a columnist, first with 'Rally Sport' then with 'Rally
Car'. The trouble was, pen paper and lacked the appeal of gearlever and
steering wheel so he sought outside help to record his thoughts!
Hence the call to Castle Bunnet. That occasioned a regular monthly
visit to the workshop at the top end of Lanark for a chat and discussion and
numerous phone calls to and from faraway places. The rough draft of each column
would then be submitted to the McRae household where the matriarch would cast
her wary eye over the text removing the profanities and couthy comments, much
against our will!
Of course his Mum, Margaret, was correct. He was fast becoming hot property
and as befits someone who had to maintain a high public profile there was also
a need to temper his more outspoken views and critical opinions and keep the
big time sponsors happy.
Of course, the 'politically correct' Colin could only maintain that
facade for so long and as he gained experience and confidence, the true single
minded nature of the man did erupt at times and fans were able to appreciate
his pithy humour.
He had finished runner-up in the 1990 British Championship and so prior
to the Lombard RAC Rally that year a longer column was commissioned looking
back on his season and looking ahead - if there was a future to look ahead to.
I have re-published that column (mostly in his own words!) in the
on-line mag. It's quite a long one, so yet another excuse to get the kettle on
and settle back for a read:
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