Q&A: Colin McRae - EXCLUSIVE.

1995 World Rally Champion Colin McRae is the fourth most successful rally driver of all time, yet has not competed on a regular basis since 2003. He is keeping his options very much open in 2007.

The Scot has registered 25 wins at the top level since his debut in the WRC back in 1987, and has partnered some of the most illustrious names in the sport. Proving his all-round versatility, the 38-year-old has also competed in the Le Mans 24 Hours, Dakar Rally, BTCC and Porsche Carrera Cup over the years, and says he is open to offers as the new season fast approaches...

Q:
How are your plans looking for 2007 Colin? Do you have anything lined up yet?

Colin McRae:
No, nothing at the moment. I'm just doing lots of different bits and pieces within the sport but no driving. I'm keeping my options open.

Q:
How about the development of your own rally car, the R4? How is that coming along?

CM:
Very well. We are hoping to start testing it soon, so it's all looking pretty good and quite exciting.

Q:
You've competed in Le Mans before. Is that the kind of thing you would like to do again either this year or in the future?

CM:
Absolutely. There's nothing on the calendar at the moment so Le Mans is definitely one thing we would target.

Q:
The X-Games in America is something else you have done in the past. Would you consider doing that again too?

CM:
Yeah, absolutely. I thoroughly enjoyed it last year and would love to go back again.

Q:
Looking at the World Rally Championship in 2007, we've got Sebastien Loeb back to full fitness now and a resurgent Ford team. How do you think it's all going to play out?

CM:
I think it's going to be another battle between Sebastien and Marcus (Gronholm). Hopefully Petter (Solberg) will be back on-form too with the new car in Mexico. There's Mikko Hirvonen as well. It's all shaping up really quite well. I think this year is going to be a wee bit more lively than last year and there will be a few more people capable of winning.

Q:
How about Matthew Wilson, the leading current British driver in the sport? How do you think he will fare this year?

CM:
It takes time. He has been really thrown in at the deep end, but he is gaining in experience and getting quicker and quicker. We've just got to wait and see how it goes for him.

Q:
Looking briefly at the Junior World Rally Championship, British drivers Guy Wilks and your prot?g? Kris Meeke both participated in that last year. How do you think they are going to get on in 2007?

CM:
Unfortunately it's really tough for them at the moment. There are no real opportunities out there and that's just the way it is; you get to a certain level then the next step costs an awful lot of money, and unfortunately in the UK it's very difficult to raise the funding.

Q:
But on the positive side they have both shown they've got the talent and pace to succeed if they can get the money together?

CM:
Absolutely, for sure; no question about it.