McRae's support Charity Stages
May 24, 2005

McRae family to support Proflex Charity Stages Rally

Competitors on this weekends Proflex Charity Stages Rally will have the unique opportunity of competing on the same tracks as Jimmy, Colin and Alister McRae.

Gordon Birtwhistle, Managing Director of Proflex (UK) Ltd said, “What can I say, I never dreamt that Jimmy, Colin and Alister would come and do an event that I would be promoting. This means so much to us as a company and also to the competitors. The 45 mile event over 8 stages qualifies for six regional championships. Unfortunately the Leyland Test Track, where the event is based, is not open to spectators, which is sad on such an occasion, but what an opportunity it presents for the competitors to meet the McRae clan and drive on the same stages as a former World Rally Champion.”

Alister McRae will be debuting the Mk 2 Escort which he has been building over the past few months. Without a drive on this year’s World Championship, Alister has concentrated on building the Escort, which will have its first competitive outing on the Proflex Charity Stages Rally. “Proflex have always been very supportive of my rally programmes and provided vital assistance during last year’s PWRC campaign, so of course I will be running Proflex suspension on my new Escort. I am very happy to compete on the event as a thank you for all their support over the past few years. I am taking my friend and ex superbike star Jim Moodie as co-driver and am looking forward to enjoying the fruits of my labour”, said Alister McRae

The course opening car will be driven by Jimmy and Colin McRae who will share the driving of Colin’s Mk2 Escort. “I have worked closely with Colin and Alister on developing the suspension for their Escorts. The engineering on Colin’s car is very different from a normal Mk2 Escort and I am looking forward to seeing both cars in action”, said Gordon Birtwhistle.

Jimmy McRae remembered the last time he sat alongside Colin when he was a 17 year old. “It was on the Galloway Hills Rally, 18 years ago, when I was teaching him to drive the Nova. I was shattered then, so I don’t know how I will feel back in the passenger seat but I still aim to be quicker than him when I am in the driving seat”, said a proud father who has just returned from New Zealand after winning the Classic Otago Rally.

The North West Air Ambulance will benefit from all profits from the Proflex Stages Rally.

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