Ford & Colin McRae: Behind the stages

Behind-the-scenes mini-documentary on Colin McRae's first season with Ford in the World Rally Championship, with particular focus on Rally GB. Originally broadcast on Eurosport, with commentary by Martin Haven. Converted from VHS TV recording. Sorry to report that due to a copyright restriction on some music, this programme is not available to users in the following countries: Czech Republic, Hungary, Poland and Slovakia. For VHS Rallies' exclusive range of classic rallying t-shirts, hoodies and mugs, visit vhsrallies.teem...

[@animalcol1]

Great to see Colin. Fond memories of his battles with Richard. My fav quote from him was "when the flag drops the bullshit stops" when they'd both been built up for rivalry over the RAC.

[@dct1]

This was a fantastic snippet of Colin in the early Ford days. Love the music, the 90s were the best.

[@seanfaloon1267]

I was about 3 miles from end of night stage where he went off. Spectators were generally about 5 people deep on both sides of stage for those last few miles. Amazing atmosphere, but when news filtered through Colin was off, everyone was gutted. Especially after climbing about 1.5 miles up the steep stage in sideways rain!. On first pass through this stage Colin and Nicky jumped highest over jump we were spectating at. I remember the cars popping and 'growling approaching and leaving us and the cheers and fog-horns from spectators. A friend was with me at her first ever rally. It frightened the life out of her. So i asked, " Why are you smiling so much then?" Like ive just said, amazing atmosphere.

[@olliebeck2952]

I went to Silverstone in 1999 to watch stages 3 and 4 with my dad. Never seen in-depth footage of the event like this. Thanks for uploading, much appreciated. 🙏

[@SergeyPRO]

Dear Colin you are forever in our hearts... We miss you...

[@Christosan88]

thanks for uploading these. I really enjoy watching them.

[@VHSRallies]

Glad you enjoy it!

[@y2fmc]

Can’t remember if I saw this Eurosport show before but thanks for sharing it here. Certainly some of the footage seen elsewhere. I followed the 1999 NetworkQ Rally of GB for several hundred miles that year. I remember seeing the Focus/PlayStation car at Silverstone which the mechanics nicked the door from! I was also at Sweet Lamb and waited several hours for a handful of cars to run the stage which was basically cut short (in number of entrants, with other cars given a nominal time by FIA) due to all roads in Mid Wales being blocked by traffic. Even rally cars were stuck in traffic. It was chaotic. And I believe it was because McRae and the Focus attracted so many more spectators than ever before. A really sad way for him to end the rally and season.

[@johnf6348]

My brother and I were on the corner Colin went off, we pulled the doors open from the outside because the shell and doors were so damaged. Colin and Nicky walked off in oposite directions. Carlos nearly had the same crash just before. When they left the road they hit the top of an escort cosworth that was in the ditch, that sent the car somersaulting with it landing on the tailgate then slammed into the floor in an area the trees had recently been felled. From the direction the cars aproached because of the felled trees on the left, it looked like the road continued straight, an optical illusion. I still have the photos i took at the time.

[@RallyRacingVideo]

The car that was already in the ditch wasn't Escort Cosworth but Escort WRC(that was driven by an amazing Polish crew - Kulig/Baran). Never seen that footage before. You mentioned Carlos that had close call there just before Colin's crash. Who else crashed on that corner besides Janusz and Colin?

[@johnf6348]

@@RallyRacingVideo Hard to tell if it had Group A or WRC bodywork after McRae finished with it! No one else crashed as we slowed the following crews down before the corner.

[@01FozzyS]

Those days when they still broadcast the WRC here in the USA. RIP Colin!

[@hoggypotter1]

A legend pushing all the way to the end, which unfortunately led to tragedy.

[@mrcrynox3752]

I remember watching this at the time and feeling gutted for Colin.

[@SimoD1978]

Wonderful video ! Dreadful electric house music playing throughout the whole thing. Fabulous memories

[@nosoundisinnocent]

Pretty sure the Colin McRae rally video game used the same music as this vid.

[@stuartleckie]

If in doubt, flat out.

[@dragonsquad100]

What is the background music in the first montage?

[@mattnewfoxred]

Chicane - Strong In Love (disco citizens mix)

[@dragonsquad100]

@@mattnewfoxred you are a legend. thank you.

[@fraserconnell21]

Don't cut!¡!!!

[@Tom-pb6vs]

I think commentary is Carlton Kirby not Richard Nicholls

[@GregzVR]

It sounds like Martin Haven.

[@hughcdavies]

@@GregzVR I'd agree with that. He's doing the live Bobsleigh and Skeleton coverage these days, and his voice sounds just the same. Also compare to his commentary on another muddy event here kzbin.info/www/bejne/laSsYWh6bbKWr5I

[@Tom-pb6vs]

Yep I think you’re right, we’ll get there in the end!

[@bigjohnfury5662]

Deffo not that Manx fella Richie Nichols

[@bigjohnfury5662]

This is Richy Nichols. kzbin.info/www/bejne/p4Ozo4Ompt9gobM

[@scoobyking555cm]

👍👍🏁

[@twincammikev]

Also known as Colin Mc crash..

[@sugarnads]

If you want a new car turned into not a new car give it to mcrae. His dad was a much better driver.

[@petrolhead001]

Jimmy never won a WRC though. Colin pushed himself and his cars to the limits, that comes with its mixture of risks and rewards.

[@sugarnads]

@@petrolhead001 his dad was still a far better driver.