WRC: Mac's back

12th October 2006

Colin McRae is all set to make a sur­prise return to the World Rally Champ­ionship this weekend in Tur­key. The Scot has been snapped up by Citroen to replace Sebastien Loeb.

The Frenchman, who’s on the verge of winning a third straight title, has had surgery after breaking his arm in a mountain bike accident – and he could be out of action for the rest of the season. McRae was sacked by the Citroen team at the end of 2003, and has contested only a couple of WRC rounds for Skoda since.

“It was a shock to hear about Seb’s accident, and I can only imagine how he must be feeling,” said McRae, who was crowned champion in 1995.

“However, I am delighted to have been chosen to replace him, and am really looking forward to getting back behind the wheel of the Xsara WRC. The challenge will be to protect Seb’s position in the championship by preventing the opposition taking advantage of his temporary absence.” Loeb, who currently leads Ford’s Finnish star Marcus Gronholm by 35 points after 12 of 16 rounds, has backed McRae’s call-up. “Of all the drivers who were available, Colin has the best record, the greatest experience and is probably the fastest,” he explained.