The mythical surname McRae will fight again in a continental event like the FIA European Rally Championship in 2023. It will be done thanks to Max McRae (18 years old), son of Alister, nephew of Colin McRae and grandson of Jimmy, all of them former drivers who participated in ERC events during their careers, with Jimmy being the most successful of them in the Europeans with 17 wins and second place overall in 1982 behind champion Tony Fassina.
Max McRae will participate in the European Junior (Junior ERC), which will have a total of 6 races on this course, starting with the next Rally Poland (May 19-21)
“The Junior ERC is the perfect step for me. Racing in Australia has been amazing for the last two years, but I know I have to give up and travel to Europe and that’s what this season is about,” said the young driver, who has spent most of his short career racing in Western Australia. , after starting his career there in 2020. Last summer he went to Europe to gain experience and played, among other competitions, a round of the British Championship. Now, he wants to move away from one step.
“Speaking to people like Iain (Campbell, European Rally Championship Director), the Junior ERC career development potential is really clear and that’s what I see now. There are some incredible events on the calendar, events that offer a great variety in the nature of the roads, from high-speed stages in Poland and Latvia to asphalt rounds in Rome and Zlín. And of course there is the all-new Royal Scandinavian Rally in Sweden,” he added, excited about his debut and the golden opportunity ahead of him to hone his talent.
“The opportunity to learn new events across Europe is really important for me and my development, but the real carrot is the Junior WRC prize for the upcoming season. That’s what we’re definitely looking for this year ,” he said of the award. that the Junior ERC champion receives to support the winner in his next steps.
“The prospects are strong for another great Junior ERC season with a lot of interest from existing drivers and those looking to taste international competition for the first time. This is the perfect platform for drivers like Max who coming from the national level and aspiring to the Junior WRC,” said ERC manager Iain Campbell.
“The McRae family name is one of the most iconic in rallying, so we are very honored to have the third generation of the McRae family competing in the ERC. I’m sure Max will follow in the footsteps of his father, uncle and grandfather and be on ERC podiums in the near future.”
FIA Junior ERC Championship 2023 calendar:
1:79th Orlen Rally of Poland (gravel, May 19-21)
2: Tet Rally Liepāja, Latvia (dirt, June 16-18)
3: Royal Rally of Scandinavia, Sweden (gravel, July 6-8)
4: Rally di Roma Capitale, Italy (asphalt, July 28-30)
5: Barum Czech Rally Zlín (asphalt, August 18 – 20)
6: Rally Hungary (asphalt, 6-8 October)
Source: La Verdad
I’m Rose Herman and I work as an author for Today Times Live. My expertise lies in writing about sports, a passion of mine that has been with me since childhood. As part of my job, I provide comprehensive coverage on everything from football to tennis to golf.
