Ex-Colin McRae rally car heads to auction

A 1999 Ford Focus WRC driven by the legendary Colin McRae in the World Rally Championship is up for sale. The car, which McRae drove in four rounds of the championship goes under the hammer at Race Retro on 23 February.

McRae, who died in a helicopter accident in 2007, was the youngest and also the first British driver to win the World Rally Championship Drivers’ Title in 1995. Four years later and McRae left Subaru to join Ford and compete in the new for 1999 Focus WRC.

This car was driven by McRae with co-driver Nicky Grist at the Rally Catalunya and the Rally Tour De Corse (where it finished fourth), plus the Rally Acropolis and Rally China. In total it has competed in 11 rounds of the World Rally Championship, being driven by other rally greats including PetterSolberg and Thomas Radstrom.

Built in secrecy, and codenamed C170, the 1999 Focus WRC boasted a Ford Zetec E 16-valve turbocharged engine. Replacing the Escort RS Cosworth, the Focus was a nimble contender. Based on the road-going Focus, which was already focussed on torsional rigidity and handling, it used the same multi-link rear suspension.

Chassis number 68335 is estimated to fetch between £120,000 to £140,000 when it goes under the hammer at Stoneleigh Park, Warwickshire. To find out more about the car, visit silverstoneauctions.com.