In 2008, the annual Colin McRae Forest Stages was organised as a fitting tribute to Britain's 1995 World Rally Champion, featuring five classic Scottish forest stages contested by a veritable who's who from the sport's history, all wishing to honour the late Colin McRae.
Among those joining Colin's dad Jimmy and brother Alister to pay tribute were his former co-drivers Derek Ringer and Nicky Grist. A host of famous names packed the top end of the entry list, including World Champions Bjorn Waldegard, Hannu Mikkola, Louise Aitken-Walker and Ari Vatanen, reunited with Prodrive boss David Richards for the first time since their 1981 world title triumph.
US rally stars John Buffum, Ken Block and the inspirational Travis Pastrana made the long trip across the Atlantic to remember their X-Games team mate. British champions Russell Brookes and Malcolm Wilson were persuaded to dust off their helmets again, whilst inaugral London-Sydney marathon winner and former Mitsubishi Ralliart boss Andrew Cowan would steal the show with his immaculate Hillman Imp. King of the two wheel drive entertainers, both in and out of the car, Phil Collins debuted his recently built Opel Ascona, whilst hard-charging Kris Meeke provided a spectacle for the throngs of spectators drawn to the Perthshire stages.
The legends all competed in two wheel drive cars, with the line-up of machinery including classics such as the MkI and MkII Escort, Porsche 911, Opel Ascona 400, Talbot Sunbeam Lotus and the unique Hillman Imp. Current World Rally Championship talent was also on show in the form of Matthew Wilson, competing in the main field in his WRC Ford Focus.
This Official Review of the event features action from more than 40 miles of some of the best gravel stages in the UK and includes in-car footage of the spectacular crashes of both Jimmy McRae and Kris Meeke.
The best camera positions, plenty of in-car footage alongside the greats, informed commentary from rally star Robbie Head and interviews with all the legends makes this the definitive story of the rally, with plenty of rear-wheel power slides, spins and one or
two crashes!
The Official Review is also packed with bonus features, including a chance to hear from the legends at the Driver's Forum, moving tributes to Colin McRae and awesome in-car footage courtesy of Vatanen, Waldegaard, Pastrana, Brookes, Meeke and Alister McRae.
'If you are a rally fan, the best way to enjoy Christmas this year is to purchase a copy of the Colin McRae Forest Stages Rally 2008 DVD. It's an essential purchase, not least because the event featured a stunning array of former champions and rally legends in some classic machinery. The extra features really make this a must-see. If you want proof that Kris Meeke deserves a drive at the top level of the sport, check out his commitment on SS2, Errochty. The entire stage as viewed from the cockpit of his Ford Escort Mk2 is included, and it is spellbinding stuff. The DVD is a brilliant souvenir of an event that is unlikely to be replicated' Motorsport News
The ultimate record of a unique event featuring the best action and memorable moments from the whole weekend. There's fascinating and historically significant cars at scruineering, the Rally Legends Forum, action from all five stages, plus brilliant banter and interviews with some of the greatest names in rallying history. With 15 in-car cameras recording the entertainment - and some serious driving - from inside the legends' cars, this is not to be missed. 4-hours including extras.