ABERGAVENNY'S Nicky Grist, long time co driver to the late Colin McRae, has entered next weekends' McRae Stages Rally.
Nicky a legend in The World Rally Championship and now a successful businessman, will co drive for Flying Finn Hannu Mikkola in a Mark Solloway prepared Ford Escort Mk 2.
The rally organised as a tribute to Colin McRae who sadly lost his life in a helicopter accident twelve months ago, has attracted a veritable who's who of rallying including several past World rally Champions, several of whom will be driving Ford Escorts.
Ari Vatanen, Stig Blomquist, Alistair McRae, Hannu Mikkola and Ford World Rally team boss Malcolm Wilson will be driving Ford Escorts while Colin's father Jimmy McRae and Bjorn Waldegaard will turn out in Porsche 911s.
Entries of local interest apart from Nicky, include Phil Collins in an Opel Ascona, Mark Solloway and Den Golding in a Ford Escort and Gareth Lloyd and Ryland James in another Escort.
Organised by Coltness Car Club, The McRae Stages starts from Perth Racecourse next Saturday morning and returns after five stages to Perth late afternoon.
The service area is in Aberfeldy where the mechanics can be seen working on the cars.
The top fifteen entries have yet to be seeded and a draw will be held at a Rally forum on the Friday evening to determine starting positions.
Nicky Grist is very up beat about the rally and has mixed emotions with so many memories of Colin McRae, and must be in with a chance of victory competing with The Grand Master of the Ford Escort Hannu Mikkola.
Further information on The McRae stages can be found at http://www.coltnesscarclub.co.uk">www.coltnesscarclub.co.uk