Third generation McRae set for British Rally Championship debut

McRae, the son of former World Rally Championship driver Alister and nephew of the late 1995 WRC champion Colin, will travel from his Australian home to Europe to contest a quartet of rally events, with the last a debut in the BRC.

The 17-year-old, who has been competing in the Australian Rally Championship this year, is expected to drive either a Ford Fiesta Rally3 or Rally4 specification car at the Nicky Grist Stages, the third BRC round on 9 July.

The rally, formerly know as the Quinton Stages but now renamed after Colin McRae’s co-driver Nicky Grist, is based in Builth Wells in Wales and features iconic forrest gravel stages.

McRae will become the fourth member of the famous rallying family to compete in the BRC. Grandfather Jimmy is a five-time series champion, while Colin lifted the title in 1991 and 1992 before Max’s father Alister clinched the 1995 crown.

The event will follow outings at the Donegal International Rally round of the Irish Tarmac Rally Championship, the Goodwood Festival of Speed and the McRae Rally Challenge at Knockhill in July. The latter will see Max take on Alister and Jimmy.

“I’ve grown up listening to dad’s stories about Donegal and I just can’t wait to get over there and have a go for myself,” said Max McRae.

“I’ve watched some of the onboards on YouTube and the stages look amazing! It’s the same for the Nicky Grist, I feel like I’ve already been on some of those roads from the stories and the videos.

“I did get the chance to go test some of Uncle Colin’s old cars in Walter’s Arena, part of the Rheola stage, in 2019, so I’ve got some idea of how good the Nicky Grist is going to be.

The McRae family has a long history in the British championship - Max's uncle Colin won his second title in 1992 (Photo by: Motorsport Images)

“For Goodwood, everybody knows the Festival of Speed. I know there are a lot of people from here who fly all the way over from Australia just for that weekend. To be going and having the chance to get in a car at the event is unreal.

“And then there’s Knockhill. This is going to be crazy, competing against my dad and my gramps for the first time. It’ll be my first time in a Fiesta Rally2, which is something else I can’t wait for.

“The whole McRae Rally Challenge is going to be special. To be around people, like family and friends from around the world will make this an unforgettable weekend – even more so if I beat the old boys.”