Alister is back to defend his 2017 ‘King of Millen’s Mountain’ title.
His McRae surname has been synonymous with rallying for three decades. Father Jimmy and sons Colin and Alister have, between them, won just about every title worth winning. Alister’s first foray into motorsport was at the age of twelve, when he took up motorcycle trials and motocross. But it was always rallying where he would demonstrate his true colours and success. Class wins at Scottish and British Rally Championship (BRC) levels soon culminated in becoming British Rally Champion with Nissan in 1995. Further years in the BRC mixed with numerous wins at WRC level in Formula 2 led to his services being secured by the newest manufacturer to join the World Rally Championship – Hyundai. Mitsubishi and Subaru followed within three years competing in the Asia Pacific Championship with Proton – winning the title in 2011.
Alister McRae - 1998 Vantage Motorsport Subaru WRX Impreza
Alister is back to defend his 2017 ‘King of Millen’s Mountain’ title.
His McRae surname has been synonymous with rallying for three decades. Father Jimmy and sons Colin and Alister have, between them, won just about every title worth winning. Alister’s first foray into motorsport was at the age of twelve, when he took up motorcycle trials and motocross. But it was always rallying where he would demonstrate his true colours and success. Class wins at Scottish and British Rally Championship (BRC) levels soon culminated in becoming British Rally Champion with Nissan in 1995. Further years in the BRC mixed with numerous wins at WRC level in Formula 2 led to his services being secured by the newest manufacturer to join the World Rally Championship – Hyundai. Mitsubishi and Subaru followed within three years competing in the Asia Pacific Championship with Proton – winning the title in 2011.
1998 Vantage Motorsport Subaru WRX Impreza:
Driven by Alister McRae, the Vantage Motorsport Subaru WRC special won last year’s Leadfoot Festival and was second in 2016.
It is an ex-Prodrive Subaru 1998 WRC car, which was driven and crashed at Rally New Zealand by Finnish driver Kuha Kangas in 1999. The damaged shell was then purchased by the late Possum Bourne. In 2001, after rebuilding the car, Possum drove it to victory at Race to the Sky (RTTS) in 8min 34sec. In 2003, Vantage Motorsport purchased the car after Possum’s death. From 2004-2007, Swedish WRC star Kenneth Eriksson drove the car at RTTS, finishing runner-up on two occasions. In 2011 and 2012, Vantage-supported driver Emma Gilmour to drive at the Leadfoot Festival.
At the 2015 RTTS – equipped with 850hp – Alister drove the car to victory hitting 240kph and reaching the top in 8min 17sec.