McRae name joins Mythical Rally in legendary 555

Alister McRae is the latest big name addition to the Mythical Cars Rally in Italy, and he’ll do it behind the wheel of a Group A car that’s very familiar to the family: a Subaru Impreza 555.

The famous McRae rally family has been back in action in Europe of late, with Alister’s Son Max McRae gearing up for a tilt at the junior ERC.

And now Alistair himself, the son of five-time British champion, Jimmy McRae, and younger brother of the legendary Colin McRae, will also get back behind the wheel at the upcoming Logiman Mythical Cars Rally in Varzi, Italy on May 24-27.

The Subaru Impreza 555 was of course the machine that Colin McRae took out the 1995 Group A World Rally Championship in, and now it’ll be reunited with both the Scottish flag, and a McRae.

The McRae name will be reunited with the Subaru Impreza 555 when Alister gets behind the wheel at the Mythical Cars Rally

Alister was also a WRC competitor, competing in 79 rallies across the globe between 1991 and 2012, and the winner of the Asia Pacific Rally Championship when the series held far more competitive fields than in its current day.

McRae joins fellow past and present WRC competitors, including double world champion Marcus Gronholm, and WRC winner Andreas Mikkelsen, with more to follow.

“When you see or hear one of these cars, it’s impossible not to smile,” he said. “Obviously, the 555 is fairly close to the heart for the McRae family. My brother Colin did quite well in one!” McRae recounted.

“I drove a Subaru Legacy RS for the Prodrive team in 1993, but I only did a couple of events in a Group A Impreza. The last time I was in one I retired from the lead on the Azores Rally when an input shaft failed. Hopefully we’ll have more luck this time around. 

Alister McRae’s son, Max, is competing in the Junior ERC this season

“There’s something special about these cars and I’m really looking forward to Logiman Mythical Cars. I remember them being an absolute beast back in the day, I hope nothing’s changed!”

McRae added that they attempted to split the driving duties with his son Max but it wasn’t to be, with Max competing in his first event at the ERC Rally Poland in the days prior.

“To have the invite to go to Italy and compete on what’s looking to be a really impressive event is great. When the phone rings these days, it’s usually for Max!”

“We did think about trying to find a way to split the driving in the Subaru at the Mythical Cars Rally. 

Max has heard so many stories about what his Uncle Colin did in these cars, he’s really keen to get a shot in one himself. It would have been nice to have done that…but I’m not too disappointed to be doing all of the driving myself!

“We have some really special memories of these cars and those times. It’ll be nice to push the starter button and enjoy a great noise and some great memories.”

Colin McRae’s (second from right) crowning WRC glory came in 1995 behind the wheel of the Subaru Impreza 555

Logiman Mythical Cars Rally advisor, Andrea Adamo, is honoured to have the McRae name as part of the event. 

“This is a great week for the Logiman Mythical Cars Rally. First we have the really special news that we can bring R-GT cars to the event and now Alister has confirmed.

“Honestly speaking, to have a McRae with us for the first time we’re running the event is really something special. This family is full of legend and they’re amazing people. I can’t wait to see Alister on the stages and to hear some of his stories when he’s on the other stage!” 

Based out of Varzi and running across some of Lombardy’s most spectacular and famous stages, the route is tailored to showcase the best aspects of the sport and the stunning surroundings, as well as recreating the legendary party atmosphere from the golden years of rally.

The Lombardy town of Varzi in Italy will play host to the serivce park of the Mythical Cars Rally

The all-asphalt event is split across two days. The organisers are running an innovative, seven-hour shakedown stage through Friday May 26, with the opening test set for that evening. Saturday brings six more stages and a total of 78 competitive kilometres.

The event is open to R-GT cars, Group A, including Super 1600, Super 2000, kit cars and World Rally Cars up until before the Hybrid era.

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