offered for sale by Silverstone Auctions
Chassis #68335 driven on 11 rounds of WRC – four with Colin McRae behind the wheel
Estimated at between £120,000 to £140,000
A 1999 Ford Focus WRC, driven by the legendary Colin McRae in four rounds of the World Rally Championship, is being offered for sale by Silverstone Auctions at its Race Retro Competition Car Sale on 23rd February.
McRae, who tragically died in a helicopter accident in 2007, was the youngest and also the first British driver to win the World Rally Championship Drivers’ Title in 1995, making him a household name.
Four years later and McRae joined Ford, who also unveiled a new car for the ’99 season – the Focus WRC.
The model going under the hammer with Silverstone Auctions at Stoneleigh Park in Warwickshire was driven by McRae with co-driver Nicky Grist at the Rally Catalunya and the Rally Tour De Corse (where it finished fourth), plus the Rally Acropolis and Rally China.
In total it has competed in 11 rounds of the World Rally Championship, being driven by other rally greats including Petter Solberg and Thomas Radstrom.
Adam Rutter, classic car specialist at Silverstone Auctions, said: “Ask anyone to name a rally driver and the first name that comes to mind is invariably Colin McRae. He was always a favourite among rally fans but his incredible success also made him a household name.
“It’s an honour to present this ex-Colin McRae 1999 Ford Focus WRC for sale at our Race Retro Competition Car Sale on 23rd February. The atmosphere at our auction will be electric and it goes without saying that we expect bidding to be flat-out, just like Colin behind the wheel.”
Built in upmost secrecy, and codenamed C170, the 1999 Focus WRC boasted a Ford Zetec E 16V turbocharged engine. Other areas of the car were also improved on the previous Ford Escort RS Cosworth rally car, making it a compact and nimble contender.
Adam added: “It is very rare for a rally car of this calibre to come to auction. Include the fact it’s been driven by Colin McRae, Petter Solberg and Thomas Radstrom among others, makes it an incredibly important vehicle in motorsport history.”
