Alister Mcrae

[rjbetty]

Hey, since Jani Paasonen has made an appearance, I thought I'd bring up Alister Mcrae - one of my very favourite drivers who I've always been very interested in. What happened to him? Was he very good?

I remember about 10 years ago he was VERY highly rated, and he seemed destined for great success. When he got the call to replace Makinen at Mitsubishi, it looked like he'd got his big break. But it was a disaster. He didn't seem to beat Delecour even. He even missed the end of the season after badly damaging his liver, and then just faded away after that.

He finished 6th on a one off event at New Zealand 2003 in the Lancer, then a few months later he was quietly dropped. He then turned up in the highly competitive 2004 PWRC. I was still quite new to the sport then, not having so much understanding of it, so I thought he would be overqualified having done WRC, and blow everyone away. He was good but not as good as I thought he would be. He didn't win any rallies, but was very unlucky to lose the title in Australia with 4 stages to go.

When new rules for 2004 initally commanded teams to only have a 3rd driver who hadn't scored a podium in the last 3 years, I couldn't understand why there wasn't a rush to sign him!!! Instead, Citroen for example plumped for Simon Jean-Joseph. (the rule was scrapped anyway).

Does anyone think he was good?

[noel157]

I think Alister's problem was that he was Colin's brother for all the baggage that being in that position brings. Obviously this wasn't something of his own making but can't have been easy.
Otherwise I've always thought he was a fine driver, maybe not a numero uno perhaps but a good no 2 and massive experience. I guess he's like Mark Higgins, respected just never got that break that lasted or worked out, Hyundai for example. Which makes me think, is history repeating itself in 2010?

[N.O.T]

he was a very mediocre driver....

[Josti]

He was ok, but never as talented as his brother.

A breakthrough at Mitsubishi was almost impossible with a car like the Lancer step 2, but his fifth place at Sweden was quite special. Why he was dropped at Mitsubishi in favour of likes as Sohlberg and Sola (remember him) in 2004 is beyond me.

Btw, he's driving a Proton in IRC and APRC events these days.

[rjbetty]

Yeah, a bit harsh he was dropped.

But I understood why Mitsubishi did. I was a big fan of Kristian Sohlberg and thought he was the best thing since sliced bread at the time (based on his New Zealand 2003 performance and being 2nd in 2002 PWRC). I also rated Dani Sola for winning JWRC 2002 and his PWRC performances. I could start a whole new thread about these drivers!

I was SO disappointed with 2005 for both. I thought Sola would do great things in a Ford Focus, challenging for podiums! In 2006, Sohlberg was beaten by Valimaki in Greece (or Sardinia). Huge letdowns!!!

Strangely enough, being busy raving over Sohlberg and Sola I didn't expect much from Mitsusbihi's other driver - Gianluigi Galli. And look how he turned out. That's more like it!

[bennizw]

If you think back to 1997 or 1997, he really had the pace in when he joined Colin in Subaru for rally GB. I am sure he was second for much of the event. Sad things never turned out for him.

[Barreis]

He's not that unhappy.. He drove in times when contracts was with six zeros.. :D

[TMorel]

I competed against Alister a couple of times, him at the sharp end and us at the back. I remember one event the poor guy never got his drink in prize giving, his pint was poured and just as he was about to pick it up a fan came to ask for his autograph so the pint was ignored and the poster signed. He goes to pick up his drink and another fan arrived so the pint was put back. That went on all evening and the guy never stopped smiling for the fans. Barreis might be right about the money but I'm pretty sure that Alister has a bit more depth to him too.
I also remember after one off I had to stay with the car while my driver went back to be pampered and I stood and watched Colin and Alister and they hit the anchors at the same spot (we stuck a twig in the ground to mark Colins point), it was like watching robots. Colin got on the gas a bit quicker and carried that speed down the straight but there wasn't much in it. Of course, those "not much in it" on each corner added up to a championship for Colin.

[WRCS14]

People on here may say he was only an average driver but I remember back when he did rally GB with Subaru, I think he contested the Bulldog or some national rally in Great Britain beforehand and I think he beat the second place car by some crazy amount, maybe a few minutes, I am not sure of the exact rally name but it was only a test for the the rally GB outing and his win there for me was very impressive. Some person on the forum from uk will know better than me.

[Barreis]

I remember that RAC when he and Colin was first and second in works subaru's at some point.. And also one hairpin when Alister took it too wide.. That was great days of this sport..

[Mintexmemory]

So the verdict is among the cogniscenti is a good but unlucky driver (why else would companies like Proton still employ him) and clearly a bit better than 'mediocre'. :p

[Zeakiwi]

Was Alister's most infamous moment in WRC taking a leak beside the car after a Safari stage or damaging the Hyundai in Aus ?

I rate him as a fairly useful driver. His win in South Africa one of his better results.

[I am evil Homer]

He was better than average - average is exactly people like Sola and K Sohlberg - but bad timing with the teams he was in and also the legacy of 'that' name combined to never show his true potential. Of course, the same can be said for many people but Alister I think is not given the credit he deserves sometimes.

[N.O.T]

Sola and solhberg were light years ahead of alister.....i don't remember alister leading a wrc event...

[RJM]

Alister is different class to them, I can barely remember them..

[I am evil Homer]

Lights years? Wow Kristian Sohlberg was one of the worst drivers in recent WRC history.

[rallyrazz]

Sola and solhberg were light years ahead of alister.....i don't remember alister leading a wrc event...

Notable Achievements:
1989 Scottish 1300 Rally Champion, Challenger Champion
1990 Scottish 1300 Rally Champion
1992 Group N British Rally Champion
1995 British Rally Champion
1999 Joint Formula 2 Asia-Pacific Rally Champion
Number of World Rally Championship events competed: 76
Number of WRC Formula 2 wins: 7
Number of WRC Formula 2 podiums: 10
Number of WRC Group N wins: 2

[N.O.T]

if those are the notable ones i guess even average is too much for him....

[rallyrazz]

if those are the notable ones i guess even average is too much for him....

well Kristian Sohlberg was hardly special was he?

[N.O.T]

both sola and sohlberg were better than alister....

Alister became a household name thats why people consider him good and also his last name helped along with the fortune that came with it....much like wilson Jr...he stayed in the WRC for too long and people became familiar with him and thought he was good...if you pooint out Wilsons achievements so far you could also conclude that the guy is actually good.

for WRC standards he is useless, for local village events he is very good, as most of rally drivers driving in national series with success and championships....but when we talk about the pennicle of the sport please keep things into context...

[AndyRAC]

Winning the F2 category in Finland in a VW Golf is 'dead average', ......
Honestly, words fail me.....

[N.O.T]

can we have some names of the competition he faced ? (don't be smart to include the ones they retired or faced problems)

[rsmith16]

both sola and sohlberg were better than alister....

Alister became a household name thats why people consider him good and also his last name helped along with the fortune that came with it....much like wilson Jr...he stayed in the WRC for too long and people became familiar with him and thought he was good...if you pooint out Wilsons achievements so far you could also conclude that the guy is actually good.

for WRC standards he is useless, for local village events he is very good, as most of rally drivers driving in national series with success and championships....but when we talk about the pennicle of the sport please keep things into context...

How often was Alister actually in a fully competitive car? He went to Mitsubishi at the wrong time & Hyundai never really seemed to get there with the car.

[N.O.T]

good question ...here is another one...

Why no manufacturer with a competitive championship car didn't choose alistair ??

[Josti]

good question ...here is another one...

Why no manufacturer with a competitive championship car didn't choose alistair ??

Many seats were taken at the time, and tbh, Mitsubishi was still considered to be one of the leading outfits despite the poor results with the Lancer WRC in late 2001.

In any case, in that generation of drivers, I don't think Alister was good enough for the ultimate top, but very useful for average teams like Hyundai and ultimately Mitsubishi too.

And he's in no way comparible with Matthew Wilson btw.

[RJM]

I still think your very wrong, if alister was given the right car he would have been successfull, he never got that opportunity, even loeb would not win in a crap Hyundai or Mitsubishi!

[RJM]

Maybe if peugeot uk give him a drive next year you will see.

[Tomi]

Is he still driving?

[RJM]

Yes he drives for proton in the APRC and IRC...

[RJM]

Yes he drives for proton in the APRC and IRC...

[Tom206wrc]

Maybe if peugeot uk give him a drive next year you will see.


Looks like it could be Keith Cronin to get that seat :confused:

[rallyrazz]

Looks like it could be Keith Cronin to get that seat :confused:

but Keith Cronin is Irish

[Mirek]

Maybe if peugeot uk give him a drive next year you will see.


I don't understand German very well but their Eurosport commentator said on Scotland live coverage something like it would be Adam Gould.

[noel157]

I don't understand German very well but their Eurosport commentator said on Scotland live coverage something like it would be Adam Gould.

Gravel voice said (or Twittered) that he believed that Gould had got it. If true I'm not sure it's the best choice, we shall see.

[RJM]

I would like to see higgins given a chance, I don't think Gould is ready yet.

[mm1]

Higgins would get my vote aswell!

[Zico]

Kristian Sohlberg


WRC starts: 30
first: Finland 2000
latest: Finland 2007
Results wins: 0 (0.0% of starts)
second places: 0
third places: 0
total podiums: 0 (0.0% of starts)
points finishes: 1
total points scored: 3 (drivers' championship points)
DNF's: 20 (66.7% of starts)
Stage wins: 0
Best result: 6th (Sardinia 2006)

Milestones
decoration
First WRC event: 2000 Finland
First DNF: 2000 Finland
First scored point: 2006 Sardinia (6th)
First stage win: no SS wins
First time led rally: has not led
First podium: no podium finishes
First win: no wins

Career summary
decoration
Team Starts Wins Podiums DNF's Points Rank
2000 Private 1 0 0 1 0 -
2001 Private 2 0 0 2 0 -
2002 Private 7 0 0 3 0 -
2003 Private 3 0 0 1 0 -
2004 Mitsubishi,
Private 6 0 0 6 0 -
2005 Private 3 0 0 2 0 -
2006 Private 3 0 0 2 3 25th
2007 Private 5 0 0 3 0 -

WRC starts: 30
first: Finland 2000
latest: Finland 2007
Results wins: 0 (0.0% of starts)
second places: 0
third places: 0
total podiums: 0 (0.0% of starts)
points finishes: 1
total points scored: 3 (drivers' championship points)
DNF's: 20 (66.7% of starts)
Stage wins: 0
Best result: 6th (Sardinia 2006)

Milestones
decoration
First WRC event: 2000 Finland
First DNF: 2000 Finland
First scored point: 2006 Sardinia (6th)
First stage win: no SS wins
First time led rally: has not led
First podium: no podium finishes
First win: no wins

Career summary
decoration
Team Starts Wins Podiums DNF's Points Rank
2000 Private 1 0 0 1 0 -
2001 Private 2 0 0 2 0 -
2002 Private 7 0 0 3 0 -
2003 Private 3 0 0 1 0 -
2004 Mitsubishi,
Private 6 0 0 6 0 -
2005 Private 3 0 0 2 0 -
2006 Private 3 0 0 2 3 25th
2007 Private 5 0 0 3 0 -


Vs..........

Alister McRae


WRC starts: 75
first: Great Britain 1991
latest: New Zealand 2007
Results wins: 0 (0.0% of starts)
second places: 0
third places: 0
total podiums: 0 (0.0% of starts)
points finishes: 6
total points scored: 20 (drivers' championship points)
DNF's: 28 (37.3% of starts)
Stage wins: 5
Best result: 4th (Great Britain 1995, Great Britain 2001)

Milestones
decoration
First WRC event: 1991 Great Britain
First DNF: 1991 Great Britain
First scored point: 1993 Great Britain (10th)
First stage win: 1998 Great Britain (SS1)
First time led rally: has not led
First podium: no podium finishes
First win: no wins

Career summary
decoration
Team Starts Wins Podiums DNF's Points Rank
1991 Private 1 0 0 1 0 -
1992 Private 1 0 0 0 0 -
1993 Subaru 1 0 0 0 1 74th
1994 Private 3 0 0 1 0 -
1995 Private 1 0 0 0 10 10th
1996 Private 1 0 0 1 0 -
1997 Private 4 0 0 2 0 -
1998 Private,
Hyundai,
Volkswagen,
Subaru 8 0 0 3 0 -
1999 Hyundai 10 0 0 5 0 -
2000 Hyundai 11 0 0 5 0 -
2001 Hyundai 13 0 0 2 4 17th
2002 Mitsubishi 11 0 0 5 2 15th
2003 Private 1 0 0 0 3 17th
2004 Private 7 0 0 2 0 -
2006 Private 1 0 0 1 0 -
2007 Private 1 0 0 0 0 -


Do you still believe Kristian was light years ahead of Alister N.O.T.?

[driveace]

Spoke to Alister on a few occasions ,and one of the nice guys.
Not as fast,or bold as Colin,but probably more sensible like Jimmy,but when he was at MSD with the Hyundia David Whitehead and his team there never seemed to get the Hyundia fully sorted,.
thought he was NOW living in New Zealand

[N.O.T]

Kristian Sohlberg


WRC starts: 30
first: Finland 2000
latest: Finland 2007
Results wins: 0 (0.0% of starts)
second places: 0
third places: 0
total podiums: 0 (0.0% of starts)
points finishes: 1
total points scored: 3 (drivers' championship points)
DNF's: 20 (66.7% of starts)
Stage wins: 0
Best result: 6th (Sardinia 2006)

Milestones
decoration
First WRC event: 2000 Finland
First DNF: 2000 Finland
First scored point: 2006 Sardinia (6th)
First stage win: no SS wins
First time led rally: has not led
First podium: no podium finishes
First win: no wins

Career summary
decoration
Team Starts Wins Podiums DNF's Points Rank
2000 Private 1 0 0 1 0 -
2001 Private 2 0 0 2 0 -
2002 Private 7 0 0 3 0 -
2003 Private 3 0 0 1 0 -
2004 Mitsubishi,
Private 6 0 0 6 0 -
2005 Private 3 0 0 2 0 -
2006 Private 3 0 0 2 3 25th
2007 Private 5 0 0 3 0 -

WRC starts: 30
first: Finland 2000
latest: Finland 2007
Results wins: 0 (0.0% of starts)
second places: 0
third places: 0
total podiums: 0 (0.0% of starts)
points finishes: 1
total points scored: 3 (drivers' championship points)
DNF's: 20 (66.7% of starts)
Stage wins: 0
Best result: 6th (Sardinia 2006)

Milestones
decoration
First WRC event: 2000 Finland
First DNF: 2000 Finland
First scored point: 2006 Sardinia (6th)
First stage win: no SS wins
First time led rally: has not led
First podium: no podium finishes
First win: no wins

Career summary
decoration
Team Starts Wins Podiums DNF's Points Rank
2000 Private 1 0 0 1 0 -
2001 Private 2 0 0 2 0 -
2002 Private 7 0 0 3 0 -
2003 Private 3 0 0 1 0 -
2004 Mitsubishi,
Private 6 0 0 6 0 -
2005 Private 3 0 0 2 0 -
2006 Private 3 0 0 2 3 25th
2007 Private 5 0 0 3 0 -


Vs..........

Alister McRae


WRC starts: 75
first: Great Britain 1991
latest: New Zealand 2007
Results wins: 0 (0.0% of starts)
second places: 0
third places: 0
total podiums: 0 (0.0% of starts)
points finishes: 6
total points scored: 20 (drivers' championship points)
DNF's: 28 (37.3% of starts)
Stage wins: 5
Best result: 4th (Great Britain 1995, Great Britain 2001)

Milestones
decoration
First WRC event: 1991 Great Britain
First DNF: 1991 Great Britain
First scored point: 1993 Great Britain (10th)
First stage win: 1998 Great Britain (SS1)
First time led rally: has not led
First podium: no podium finishes
First win: no wins

Career summary
decoration
Team Starts Wins Podiums DNF's Points Rank
1991 Private 1 0 0 1 0 -
1992 Private 1 0 0 0 0 -
1993 Subaru 1 0 0 0 1 74th
1994 Private 3 0 0 1 0 -
1995 Private 1 0 0 0 10 10th
1996 Private 1 0 0 1 0 -
1997 Private 4 0 0 2 0 -
1998 Private,
Hyundai,
Volkswagen,
Subaru 8 0 0 3 0 -
1999 Hyundai 10 0 0 5 0 -
2000 Hyundai 11 0 0 5 0 -
2001 Hyundai 13 0 0 2 4 17th
2002 Mitsubishi 11 0 0 5 2 15th
2003 Private 1 0 0 0 3 17th
2004 Private 7 0 0 2 0 -
2006 Private 1 0 0 1 0 -
2007 Private 1 0 0 0 0 -


Do you still believe Kristian was light years ahead of Alister N.O.T.?

as far as driving skills go, yes...

[noel157]

Spoke to Alister on a few occasions ,and one of the nice guys.
Not as fast,or bold as Colin,but probably more sensible like Jimmy,but when he was at MSD with the Hyundia David Whitehead and his team there never seemed to get the Hyundia fully sorted,.
thought he was NOW living in New Zealand

Oz I believe rather than NZ.

[ProRally]

Oz I believe rather than NZ.

Alister lives in Perth, WA Australia

[Tomi]

Alister lives in Perth, WA Australia

Ahh, now i understand why Daniel moved away.

[Barreis]

It's equal for him.. He posts all day (30000 posts :D )..

[Barreis]

It's equal for him.. He posts whole day (30000 posts :D )..