Alister ready for action
May 10, 2006

Alister McRae will tackle the opening round of the Tesco 99 Octane MSA British Rally Championship, the Pirelli International Rally, as one of seven BRC champions in action.

McRae’s older brother, 1995 WRC champion Colin, is also in action the same weekend competing in the BRC Rallymasters.

Alister looks forward to the Pirelli International Rally.

Q: 2006 is a very different prospect from last season, what do you think of the new regulations and the championship in store?
A: When it was announced that the championship was moving to GpN I was a bit sceptical but now having seen the entry with ten very quick cars out there I’m convinced it’s the right decision. It’s going to be very fast and very competitive at the front of the field.

Q: The Pirelli International Rally with the infamous Kielder Forest starts the championship, how difficult will it be starting a championship campaign there?
A: It’s going to be very difficult as there’s all the hype and everyone has a point to prove. I’m just in for the Pirelli at the moment but everyone has a point to prove.

Q: Tell us about the car you’ll be driving.
A: It’s a Kenny McKinstry Subaru Impreza N11. I won the Pirelli in 1996 driving a Ford Escort Cosworth and have not competed on the event since 1998 when I drove for Volkswagen.

Q: Who’s going to be strong this season?
A: All the obvious ones. You’ve got Mark Higgins who’s the reigning champion. Then there’s David Higgins who won the previous year. Jonny Milner’s a two-time champion and Tapio and Gwyndaf have won the title too  it’s quite some line-up!

Then you’ve got the young guns like Rory Galligan and Phillip Morrow who are eager to outdo us and us, but us more experienced drivers are eager to show we’ve still got what it takes.

Q: Looking at the championship, six rounds culminating with Wales Rally GB, how do you think the championship is going to play out?
A: It’s going to be tough to win. There’s no secret to it, you need to be quickest and get to the end of the rallies, its as simple as that. It’s going to be flat out right from the start and you have to put in the times but be capable of getting to the end.

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