The McRae name has been synonymous with rallying for three decades. Father Jimmy and sons Colin and Alister have, between them, won just about every title worth winning. Alister’s first foray into motorsport was at the age of twelve, when he took up motorcycle trials and motocross. But it was always rallying where he would demonstrate his true colours and success. Class wins at Scottish and British Rally Championship (BRC) levels soon culminated in becoming British Rally Champion with Nissan in 1995. Further years in the BRC mixed with numerous wins at WRC level in Formula 2 led to his services being secured by the newest manufacturer to join the World Rally Championship – Hyundai. Mitsubishi and Subaru followed, before three years competing in the Asia Pacific Championship with Proton – winning the title in 2011. Alister also won the Race to the Sky in 2015 driving the Vantage Subaru.
Alister McRae - 1998 Vantage Motorsport Subaru
The McRae name has been synonymous with rallying for three decades. Father Jimmy and sons Colin and Alister have, between them, won just about every title worth winning. Alister’s first foray into motorsport was at the age of twelve, when he took up motorcycle trials and motocross. But it was always rallying where he would demonstrate his true colours and success. Class wins at Scottish and British Rally Championship (BRC) levels soon culminated in becoming British Rally Champion with Nissan in 1995. Further years in the BRC mixed with numerous wins at WRC level in Formula 2 led to his services being secured by the newest manufacturer to join the World Rally Championship – Hyundai. Mitsubishi and Subaru followed, before three years competing in the Asia Pacific Championship with Proton – winning the title in 2011. Alister also won the Race to the Sky in 2015 driving the Vantage Subaru.
1998 Vantage Motorsport Subaru:
“Driven by Alister McRae, the Vantage Motorsport Subaru WRC Special finished second at last year’s Leadfoot Festival behind Rhys Millen – after setting the fastest-equal time with Rod Millen.
It is an ex-Prodrive Subaru 1998 WRC car, which was driven and crashed at Rally NZ by Finnish driver Kuha Kangas in 1999. The damaged shell was purchased by the late Possum Bourne
In 2001, after rebuilding the car, Possum drove it to victory at Race to the Sky (RTTS) in 8min 34sec.
In 2003, Vantage Motorsport purchased the car after Possum’s death.
From 2004-2007, Swedish WRC star Kenneth Eriksson drove the car at RTTS, finishing runner-up on two occasions.
In 2011 and 2012, Vantage-supported driver Emma Gilmour drove the car at the Leadfoot Festival.
At the 2015 RTTS – equipped with 850hp – Alister McRae drove the car to victory hitting 240kph and reaching the top in 8min 17sec.
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