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WRC stars headline Rallylegend

Sébastien Ogier, Kris Meeke and Thierry Neuville will join a host of former world champions to pay tribute to Colin McRae at the Rallylegend event (19 - 22 october) in San Marino this weekend.

Eleven champion drivers will come together for an extraordinary parade at the Legend stage on Sunday afternoon in memory of 1995 title winner McRae, who died 10 years ago in a helicopter accident. They will drive the cars in which they won the title.

The glittering array of stars features Sébastien Loeb (Citroen C4), Ogier (Volkswagen Polo R), Stig Blomqvist (Audi Quattro S1), Miki Biasion (Lancia Delta Integrale), Juha Kankkunen (Lancia Delta Integrale), Tommi Mäkinen (Mitsubishi Lancer), Marcus Grönholm (Peugeot 206 WRC), Ari Vatanen (Ford Escort RS), Timo Salonen (Peugeot 205 T16), Didier Auriol Celica) and Petter Solberg (Subaru Impreza WRC).

Also present will be champion co-drivers Robert Reid (Richard Burns), Hans Thorszelius (Björn Waldegärd) and Derek Ringer (McRae). McRae's long-time co-driver, Nicky Grist, and former ladies world champion Louise Aitken-Walker will also attend.

The extravaganza has been assembled by Luis Moya, former co-driver to Carlos Sainz, who is unable to be there but will deliver a live message via a video link.

"We wanted to remember Colin and give him a big tribute. I immediately activated the World Rally ‘club', where I have many friends, and the acceptance of the champions I contacted was immediate and warm. It will truly be a unique event," Moya said.

There will also be a parade of cars in which McRae competed. Father Jimmy will drive a Ford Sierra Cosworth, brother Alister will be at the wheel of a Subaru Legacy and Meeke will pilot a Citroën Xsara.

Meeke will also drive the Xsara, used by McRae in his final full WRC season in 2003, in the weekend's competitive element, a 12 stage rally which starts on Friday evening and finishes on Sunday afternoon. Alister McRae will also compete, co-driven by Ringer.

"I was a huge fan of his when I was young. My first season [as a rally driver] didn't go amazingly well, but Colin noticed me and took me under his wing. He helped me to improve, and then to get into the FIA Junior WRC. Even now, he's probably the person to whom I am still the most indebted," said Meeke.

Neuville will put on a special display in a Hyundai i20 on Sunday.

Zdroj: wrc.com