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17 Nov 2003, 18:03 (Ref:786245) | #1 | ||
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Life Line for McRae?
Hi,
Im new to the `Rally` side of this Forum as i've been focusing on the Touring Car side of things. Anyway, what I'd like to say is that with the result of Burns being forced out of the 2004 World Rally Championship, I was thinking...is this a life line for Colin McRae? Colin is without a drive, known to Subaru and with Subaru now knowing they need another driver for next year, Colin would be right for the job. I also feel that Richard would like seeing McRae take over his drive for just that one season...seeing as they are good friends (I think). Anyway, do you agree or disagree? |
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..:: SPARK Motorsport : SPARKS ARE FLYING ::.. "Those that can, do. And those that can't, talk about it." |
17 Nov 2003, 18:15 (Ref:786255) | #2 | ||
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depends on fords decision. if they decide not to run, m martin has to be first choice...
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17 Nov 2003, 18:16 (Ref:786258) | #3 | ||
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Welcome to the other side, Spark!
Burns and McRae are great rivals, and have been known to wind each other up somewhat with the odd pointed remark, particularly during past Rally GBs! But I believe they do respect each other immensely, and I think Richard would be happy to see Colin in his seat. I'm absolutely sure Subaru - now they know the news - will approach Colin. Then it'll be up to him - will the temptation of a drive at Subaru be enough to overrule his desire for a break? Would the circumstances be right? Does he really want to be just 'filling in' for a year, knowing that if fit Richard will have his seat back in 2005? Only time, and Colin, will tell. |
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17 Nov 2003, 18:33 (Ref:786276) | #4 | ||
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thanks for the welcome.
On the subject of Ford...i'd be very surprised if Ford withdraw from the WRC. They have only just brought out their new car, which hasnt been fully developed yet and by what we all saw this year is a future championship winning car. I think if Subaru gave Colin the call, it would be a great offer and im sure like I said earlier Richard would want Colin to take it. Just remember, you heard it here first |
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..:: SPARK Motorsport : SPARKS ARE FLYING ::.. "Those that can, do. And those that can't, talk about it." |
17 Nov 2003, 18:56 (Ref:786330) | #5 | ||
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Well it's to early to tell, but remember Dave Richards is chairman of Prodrive (who run the Subaru program) and also owns the TV rights to WRC, and it is well know that he has been trying to keeping Colin in the championship......
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17 Nov 2003, 19:15 (Ref:786365) | #6 | ||
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Lets hope so.
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17 Nov 2003, 19:55 (Ref:786418) | #7 | ||
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Subaru would be mad not to try to get McRae, and he'd be mad not to take the drive if offered. My impression was that his 'sabbatical' was dictated by force of circumstance rather than a desire for a break. After all, he expected to stay with Citroen for 2004.
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17 Nov 2003, 22:07 (Ref:786553) | #8 | ||
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Both McRae and Burns had meetings with Prodrive prior to Burn being announced so I would expect Colin to get a call soon.
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"If you can leave black marks from the time you exit a corner till the time you brake for the next turn, then you have enough horsepower." --Mark Donohue Colin McRae 1968-2007 |
18 Nov 2003, 03:55 (Ref:786733) | #9 | |
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If it is a call between Martin and McRae then it should be Martin. McRae has admitted he is glad this season is over as he no longer has the urge. Drivers like that belong in retirement! McRae has had two lacklustre seasons whereas Martin is getting better and better! I am afraid the McRae magic is gone.
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18 Nov 2003, 07:25 (Ref:786781) | #10 | ||
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Quote:
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18 Nov 2003, 07:35 (Ref:786784) | #11 | |
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Look at the facts, McRae has not been performing for a while now and his results all season have been less than what I would expect from him. Carlos has shaded McRae this year, Loeb wiped his bottom with him. I think the old mucker has lost it, I really do. We will see next year I suppose.
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Racing is in my...err... I was born to...um... Winning is...things and stuff...etc.. For sure! |
18 Nov 2003, 08:10 (Ref:786808) | #12 | ||
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As for"2 lacklustre seasons"he did win rallys last season.
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18 Nov 2003, 11:13 (Ref:786939) | #13 | ||
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I think Colin needs a break - he's said as much himself. He hasn't enjoyed 2003. But it's amazing what a call for help from your old mates can do.
Having said that, for Subaru and Prodrive's ambitions - now that the car seems to be competitive again - given the choice I would certainly choose Martin over McRae. There are two problems though - would Martin go to Subaru just to borrow Burnsy's seat for a year? And what happens towards the end of the season when Petter and Martin are fighting it out for the title?! |
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18 Nov 2003, 12:20 (Ref:786996) | #14 | |
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Who says that Martin is available?????
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18 Nov 2003, 12:40 (Ref:787015) | #15 | ||
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As usual, time will tell. |
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18 Nov 2003, 12:42 (Ref:787019) | #16 | |
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Exactly, so no point in speculating on whether Pro Drive would prefer him to McRae, unless they want to buy him out of his Ford contract
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18 Nov 2003, 12:55 (Ref:787038) | #17 | |
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Apparently Colin has signed to drive in the Paris - Dakar with Nissan, see http://www.worldrallynews.com/cgi-bi...9148876,61208,
That finishes mid-Jan so it'd be Sweden at the earliest. It'll be interesting to see whether he sticks to the palns for a saabatical whatever. |
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18 Nov 2003, 13:00 (Ref:787052) | #18 | |
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He has also agreed terms to do Le Mans, but as with all of these things, there are always get out clauses. If he is locked in and did complete Paris Dakar he'd only miss the Monte Carlo Rally - not a huge problem.
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18 Nov 2003, 13:09 (Ref:787066) | #19 | |
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Considering it's Colin McRae we're talking about here, I'd say chances are quite high he will be out of the Paris-Dakar well before the finish though
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18 Nov 2003, 13:14 (Ref:787073) | #20 | ||
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18 Nov 2003, 13:30 (Ref:787100) | #21 | |
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We'll see - obviously I'm hoping Colin will do well (especially since our very own Tina Thorner will be riding shotgun), but at the same time I won't be the least surprised if he sends his car rolling at some point during the event.
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18 Nov 2003, 13:59 (Ref:787134) | #22 | ||
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Here you can see Mcrae's new car that brand new Nissan Pick-up Dakar prototype that he will drive in december in South-Africa for the fisrt time,awesome! I can't wait till the Dakar begins!! Also I highly doubt that he will sign with Subaru WRC now.
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18 Nov 2003, 14:07 (Ref:787140) | #23 | ||
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18 Nov 2003, 14:09 (Ref:787142) | #24 | ||
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Yes he said that he wasn't interested in doing a season of raids. However the Dakar is a very special event.
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18 Nov 2003, 17:19 (Ref:787322) | #25 | |
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There is a very good chance that McRae will go with Subaru. The decision was between him and Burns in the first instance and Citroen only chose Sainz for marketing reasons.
Guy Frequelin was quoted recently by Autosport as stating "How can you chose between Colin McRae and Carlos Sainz? In the end it came down to marketing...It was a marketing decision, certainly not a driving decision. These new regulations made things very, very difficult for me and I am sorry to lose Colin." With regards to the supposed overlap between the Dakar and the Monte Carlo Rally, Jimmy McRae told The Herald newspaper today that while tight there is still time between the end of the Dakar and the begining of the Monte RECCE - not the begining of the Monte itself. Granted the Dakar could over-run but as it stands right now, there is no reason why Colin cannot do both. http://www.theherald.co.uk/sport/4767.html And who exactly is claiming that McRae "hasn't been competitive for a while now"? What is your definition of a while? A couple of months? If so does that mean Burns was not competitive given that he hasn't won a rally in two years?! Come on - get real. Last edited by jock25; 18 Nov 2003 at 17:21. |
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