McRae confirms Paris-Dakar debut
Tuesday, 18 November 2003Colin McRae has confirmed that he will make his debut on the Paris-Dakar Rally in January. The 35-year-old former world rally champion will drive for Nissan on the gruelling three-week event.
"It's something I've always wanted to do," said McRae. "I always enjoyed the Safari, especially the old Safaris, an event where you could pace yourself, but it's very much a learning year for me."
McRae's decision calls into question whether he will be able to replace Richard Burns on the World Rally Championship next year after the Englishman was yesterday ruled out by a brain tumour.
Although the Paris-Dakar ends five days before the new season gets underway in Monte Carlo it will be difficult for McRae to test for both Subaru and Nissan.
Subaru were left looking for a replacement following the shock news concerning 2001 world-beater Burns, who was due to return to the team next season. McRae, who lost his WRC drive at Citroen following changes to the regulations, will be co-driven by Tina Thorner, a vastly experienced Swede.
Thorner has previously co-driven for four-time winner Ari Vatanen, the 1981 world rally champion, who will also drive a Nissan on the Paris-Dakar which gets underway in Auvergne, France, on January 1.
The 26th running of the event will be a 66,000-mile test over 17 stages taking in France, Spain, Morocco, Mauritania, Mali, Burkina Faso and Senegal.
Filed by Shane Murray
