Ex-Colin McRae Ford Focus WRC heads to auction

A Ford Focus WRC rally car raced by Colin McRae will cross the auction block next month. 

McRae won three rounds of the World Rally Championship in 2001 with the Focus, and almost claimed the overall drivers’ title that year. 

The Focus is one of many important road and race cars up for grabs as part of the Silverstone Auctions ‘Season Opener’ 2022 sale.

Focus on success

Having spent several years with the Subaru World Rally Team, including title success in 1995, McRae shocked fans with a move to Ford for 1999. 

It made him the highest-paid driver in the sport at the time, and he claimed the first WRC wins for the M-Sport-built Ford Focus. However, McRae’s first two seasons with Ford saw him finish just sixth and fourth overall in the drivers’ standings. 

This particular Focus – Y4 FMC – was built for the 2001 season. It took McRae within touching distance of another championship. 

Powered by a 2.0-litre turbocharged engine, the Focus WRC was fitted with all-wheel drive and a sequential transmission.

Battle of Britain 2001

McRae and co-driver Nicky Grist initially struggled during the opening rounds of the season. Using Y4 FMC, however, the duo achieved a trio of victories, winning the Argentina, Cyprus and Greek Acropolis rallies.

Two more podiums, and a fifth-place finish in Australia, saw McRae leading the championship and poised to win another title. Only Britain’s Richard Burns could beat him as they headed to the final Network Q Rally of Great Britain.

With his typical ‘flat out’ driving style, McRae crashed heavily on the fourth stage of the event. It meant an immediate retirement, handing the late Richard Burns his first and only World Rally Championship.

Strong competitor

Following the crash, Y4 FMC was rebuilt by the M-Sport team and used during 2002. It was then sold into private ownership and used in British rallying competitions for several years. 

Recently prepared by motorsport experts, the Focus still wears its iconic Martini livery from 2001. It comes complete with extensive an history file, including the original FIA homologation papers and Technical Passport.

Detailed setup information from M-Sport will be supplied, along with full instructions on how to start and run the Focus.

True motorsport history

McRae’s tragic death in 2007, the result of a helicopter crash that also claimed the lives of his son and two friends, left an indelible mark on the motorsport world.

The ‘all or nothing’ approach taken by McRae is demonstrated by the story behind this Focus WRC. As an important piece of rallying history, Silverstone Auctions suggests a pre-sale estimate of £300,000 to £350,000.

Set to be auctioned on Saturday 5 March at The RAF Museum in London, the Focus is likely to attract plenty of interest from rallying enthusiasts.

ALSO READ:

‘Dominant’ 1990 Ford Sierra RS500 racers to be reborn

Ford Focus RS M520 review

1989 Ford Fiesta XR2 review: Retro Road Test