MSR Motorsport signs Colin McRae for Manx rally

MSR Motorsport will be running Britain's first world rally champion Colin McRae on next weekend's (May 11-12) RBS International Manx Rally.

McRae and co-driver Campbell Roy will be using the 1995 world champion's Mk2 Ford Escort and will start at car number 11 for the two-day Isle of Man tarmac event.

The Scottish driver has not competed in his Escort since the Pirelli Masters Rally in May last year and has not contested a rally on the Isle of Man for around 15 years.

MSR Motorsport boss Mark Robson said: "It's great that we're going to be looking after someone as high profile and well known as Colin. We've never worked with him before but he is someone I've known for quite a long time and we're looking forward to it. Colin and Campbell will be out to get a good result on the event and hopefully it will be a successful weekend for them."

As well as McRae, MSR will run four more cars on the RBS International Manx Rally.

Mitsubishi Evo Cup leaders Miles Johnston and Ian Bevan will be out in their Evo, while Tommi Graham and Mike Bailey will also be looking for points in the Cup and the MSA National Gravel Rally Championship in their Mitsubishi Evo 9.

Ian Campbell will be behind the wheel of his Mitsubishi Step 2 WRC with co-driver Dick Wardle as they bid for points in the Gravel Championship and John Crawford and Kevin Rae will be competing in their Mk2 Ford Escort.

Robson added: "It's fantastic for us to have five cars out on the Manx. Most of the crews are challenging for championship points as well but we hope all of them have a successful weekend and wish them the best of luck."

The RBS International Manx Rally gets underway on Friday (May 11) at 7pm and finishes on Saturday (May 12) at 4.30pm following 120 miles of asphalt stages across closed public roads. It is a round of the MSA National Gravel Rally Championship, the Mitsubishi Evo Challenge, Mitsubishi Evo Cup, the MSA Asphalt Rally Championship and the Fiesta Sporting Trophy UK.

-credit: msr