Colin McRae’s 1999 Ford Focus rally car to go under the hammer

A 1999 Ford Focus rally car driven by the legendary Colin McRae is to be auctioned next month.

The bespoke vehicle was used by McRae during the Rally Catalunya and Rally Tour De Corse – where it finished fourth – plus the Rally Acropolis and Rally China.

In total, it competed in 11 rounds of the World Rally Championship, being driven by other rally greats as well, including Petter Solberg and Thomas Radstrom.

McRae, who died in a helicopter accident in 2007 aged just 39, won the WRC Drivers’ championship title in 1995 – the youngest and the first British driver to do so, which made him a household name. Four years later, he joined Ford, which also unveiled a new car for the ’99 season – the Focus WRC.

The four-cylinder left-hand-drive car is being offered for sale by Silverstone Auctions at its Race Retro Competition Car Sale on February 23, with an estimate of £120,000 to £140,000.

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. 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 the utmost secrecy and codenamed C170, the 1999 Focus WRC boasts a Ford Zetec E 16V turbocharged engine.

Rutter added: “It is very rare for a rally car of this calibre to come to auction. The fact that it’s been driven by Colin McRae, Petter Solberg and Thomas Radstrom among others makes it an incredibly important vehicle in motorsport history.”