QUESTIONS TO COLIN MCRAE AND NICKY GRIST
Event: 2005 Wales Rally GB
Manufacturer: Skoda

Colin McRae/Nicky Grist are to join the Škoda Motorsport World Rally Team to drive the Fabia WRC 05 alongside Armin Schwarz/Klaus Wicha on next month’s Rally GB (September 14-18), round 12 of the 2005 WRC.

Colin McRae

Explain why you are to contest Rally GB with the Škoda Motorsport World Rally Team?

For some time now I’ve been keen to get back into the World Rally Championship and I’ve also been having talks for some time with Škoda Motorsport that have led to me achieving that aim. The icing on the cake is that it's for Rally GB. It’s obviously always been a special rally for me and so if there was one particular rally I’d choose to make a comeback on, this would be the one. I’m really looking forward to it.

What’s the challenge that is facing you and Nicky for this event?

It’s been about 18 months since I last competed on the WRC, not since Rally GB 2003 in fact, but the rally was run in November and was the final round of the championship that year. I’ve got to get back into full physical fitness before the rally and I need as much time in the car as possible to make sure I’m up to speed when the event starts.

Is it a one-off or is this part of a programme of more events with Škoda Motorsport?

Although I’m ruling nothing out for the future we are just concentrating on this one event and treating it as a one-off.

What are your immediate aims now that the deal has been confirmed?

The important thing is to get into the Fabia WRC 05 as soon as possible and start work adjusting it to my liking. Part of my reason for agreeing to join the team is to try and help move the development of the car along as quickly as possible. I saw when I drove the Fabia WRC last year in Spain that it has great potential and so I’m confident that I can help to make a difference.

What sort of programme have you got between now and the rally?

Škoda Motorsport has organised a very intensive test programme just before the rally that should give Nicky and I plenty of time to get used to the car. Obviously I’m going to be a little bit rusty at first but we should be able to get it set up the way we want and be in good shape when we get to the start line.

What sort of result would you realistically like to achieve on Rally GB?

A win of course! Seriously though, my first aim is to achieve the best result possible for the team and myself. We’ll try to finish well into the points and anything after that will be a bonus.

Nicky Grist

What are your thoughts on getting back with Colin for Rally GB?

I am really looking forward to it. We are determined to give Škoda Motorsport the best result we can and we are taking the job seriously. But I am also sure the event will be a lot of fun for us. After 16 years of travelling the world from event to event the one big difference in Wales is seeing friends, family and the people who have supported Colin and I over many years – that will give me an extra buzz. With the news of our entry only a few hours old I am already amazed at the number of people who have told me they are coming out to watch.