Sainz going for McRae's win record
Wednesday, 21 January 2004Colin McRae and Richard Burns will be conspicuous by their absence as the World Rally Championship gets under way tomorrow without a British presence for the first time in over a decade.
Burns, the 2001 world beater, has been sidelined for this season at least as he undergoes treatment for a brain tumour while McRae was unable to find a drive despite his iconic status in the sport.
McRae had hoped to replace Burns in the Subaru and attempt to regain the title he won with the Japanese manufacturer in 1995. The Scot could now see the rally wins record he shares with Carlos Sainz relinquished in Monte Carlo this weekend.
Sainz, who was retained by Citroen at the expense of McRae, needs just one win to take the outright lead for the number of WRC career wins with 26. However, the Spaniard will not start the season opener - which begins in earnest in the French Alps on Friday morning after tomorrow's ceremonial start in the Principality - as favourite, not with fellow Citroen driver Sebastien Loeb in the field.
