Thought it was too good to be true?
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McRae - will he fare better in 2003?
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For those of you who follow the rally scene very closely, you will recall that during the 2001 Rally Australia, McRae was lying very favorable after the first day.
The top 15 drivers could after the first day, select which position they wanted to start from on the next day in the order of finishing on day one.
Let me explain, the reason for this is that the first car on the road can not possibly keep up with the rest as it actually acts as “sweep” car, clearing the road and more important, also showing the lines through the corners. After one or two cars went through a stage, it is easier for the rest to follow.
This goes for rally stages with pace-notes! In South Africa it will not really matter, as incorrect braking of the front-runners may even slow other competitors. It is also known that in South Africa, some guys who know the route, will deliberately brake for instance where they are perfectly aware the road goes straight on after a blind rise, or even worse, go slow and not brake at all, where they know the road turns after a blind-rise! Pace notes resolves this problem and will at least equal the playing field locally.
Getting back to the McRae/Grist problem, Colin would have wanted to be about sixth or even seventh on the road after day one. A position that would mean the lose surface would have been cleared, the road properly marked, which in turn would ensure maximum attack.
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Grist - not forgiven!
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Grist slipped up and misread the instruction that said they should be at the selection grouping, five minutes before the actual selection started. They were late, and had last option to select their position. It is no secret that they had to lead the pack on the second leg, spoiling their chances to win the rally. Francois Delecour bravely relegated himself to take first position on the road, but McRae still lost loads of time. His head must have been totally stuffed up with thoughts of revenge, self-pity etc. which would have slowed him down anyway.
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Delacour willing to sweep!
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This left too much to do in Britain and McRae predictably left the road – spoiling his chance to win the championship.
According to Grist – McRae could never put this incident past him, and this was what spoiled the relationship in the car.
If this is true, and I do believe it is, then McRae needed a smack behind the head to bring him back to his senses. A person driving at that level and, or especially a person as talented as McRae, should be able to put any incident behind him, and carry on with his very highly paid for job.
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Gee, Nicky, why didn't you tell me you were that unhappy??
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This little Prima Donna exercise must have cost Ford plenty as they have heavily invested in this team, and such conduct is just not acceptable on that level. In normal business they would have had their backsides kicked right out?
Is this the first crack in one of the top, top driver’s armor under the current extreme pressure?
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