World champions confirmed for Colin McRae Forest Stages

A veritable who’s who of rallying will be on show in September’s Colin McRae Forest Stages, an event that will pay tribute to the 1995 World Rally Champion.

McRae was tragically killed in a helicopter accident in September last year, and 12 months on, the event that bears his name will be jam-packed with a list of star drivers.

Former World Champions Stig Blomqvist, Hannu Mikkola, Ari Vatanen and Bjorn Waldegard will start the 130-car rally, as will other rallying greats such as Russell Brookes and Louise Aitken-Walker.

Colin’s father, Jimmy, will drive a Porsche 911 in the event, and his brother, Alister, will be in an Escort Mk2.

Former Mitsubishi team boss, Andrew Cowan, will drive a Hillman Imp, and current Ford WRC boss, Malcolm Wilson, may also appear in a new Escort Mk 2 his team are currently building.

In another twist, McRae’s former team-mate, Carlos Sainz, wants to drive a Subaru Impreza 555 as the zero car, while both Nicky Grist and David Richards will co-drive in the rally.

American drivers Ken Block and Travis Pastrana have also shown interest in competing in the 45 mile rally, which will be based in the Scottish city of Perth.

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