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Over the last 12 months a very unique restoration has been taking place in Cockermouth, Cumbria. Colin McRae's Focus WRC Y5FMC, this car was new for San Remo rally 2001. It is also the same car he famously crashed in Corsica where he broke his finger and said he would rather have it removed than miss the next round of the world rally championship. I remember clearly him saying "its only my little finger, doesn't do much anyway". Luckily it was healed enough for the next rally, however we did install a second gear change joystick on the other side of the steering wheel so he could steer with his strong hand and change with his weak.
This car is probably the one that carries the most memories of all the Focus WRC's I was involved with. I wired the car and then accompanied it to both San Remo and Corsica ralies, being the event Electrician for those rallies.
After the crash in Corsica the car sat damaged at M-Sport for many years, until local privateer Paul Benn bought the damaged car and began to rebuild it. Paul had previously owned and re-built Y4FMC, also one of Colins wrecks, the 2001 Rally GB crash which cost Colin the world title. I was also the event electrican on that rally, maybe I was a jinx?
The car has now been restored by Paul Benn and friends and m-sport associates to the exact specification as it was on day one of the San Remo Rally 2001. I am very proud to have been involved in the restoration and now the car will live in a private collection owned by an American businessman. The same guy owns other world championship cars including an ex Carlos Sainz Group A Subaru recently used by Mark Higgins.
Please enjoy the attached pictures including Y5FMC's brother Y4FMC which is still pulling fantastic results in the BTRDA driven by Hugh Hunter.
And one last word,
Colin, thanks for the memories, sadly missed.
This car is probably the one that carries the most memories of all the Focus WRC's I was involved with. I wired the car and then accompanied it to both San Remo and Corsica ralies, being the event Electrician for those rallies.
After the crash in Corsica the car sat damaged at M-Sport for many years, until local privateer Paul Benn bought the damaged car and began to rebuild it. Paul had previously owned and re-built Y4FMC, also one of Colins wrecks, the 2001 Rally GB crash which cost Colin the world title. I was also the event electrican on that rally, maybe I was a jinx?
The car has now been restored by Paul Benn and friends and m-sport associates to the exact specification as it was on day one of the San Remo Rally 2001. I am very proud to have been involved in the restoration and now the car will live in a private collection owned by an American businessman. The same guy owns other world championship cars including an ex Carlos Sainz Group A Subaru recently used by Mark Higgins.
Please enjoy the attached pictures including Y5FMC's brother Y4FMC which is still pulling fantastic results in the BTRDA driven by Hugh Hunter.
And one last word,
Colin, thanks for the memories, sadly missed.
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