Current news

Teenage Cancer Trust and the "Vision" Join Forces

Castle Hill Hospital will work in partnership with the St James's Hospital in Leeds and the unit will care for 18 to 24-year-olds who are diagnosed with cancer in Hull, the East Riding and further afield. The unit will provide a dedicated service on their doorstep, rather than travelling to Leeds for treatment.

The "Vision" are very happy that fundraisers Jeff Smith, Stu Marsh and other members of the Lost Boys Rally Team were able to make the donation on the 1st October on our behalf. The Lost Boys held an event in conjunction with the "Vision" in July and the proceeds from this have been channelled into helping the trust with this fabulous cause.

Teenage Cancer Trust is devoted to improving the lives of young people with cancer. Every day in the UK, six young people (13-24 year olds) are told they have cancer. That's approximately 2,100 young people a year and this figure is rising. Young people often receive hospital treatment in inappropriate facilities catering for children or the elderly. Up to 16 years, a teenager will be treated in a paediatric ward alongside children. After 16, the same teenager will be treated in an adult ward with elderly patients.

Teenage Cancer Trust focuses on the needs of young people with cancer between the ages of 13-24 by providing specialist teenage units in NHS hospitals. These units are designed to give the very best chance of a positive outcome. As well as state-of-the-art facilities to keep patients occupied during long stays in hospital, the units provide an environment which is suited to their needs and where they can meet others in a similar situation. We are delighted to help.

Specialist bed for CHAS (Childrens Hospice Association Scotland) facility at Robin House in Stirlingshire donated by Colin McRae Vision

The ceremonial start of the IRC Rally of Scotland at Stirling Castle is where Jimmy McRae presented the cheque to Hannah Archibald of CHAS for the specialist Princess bed required at Robin House.

The facility is a home from home offering families a place where they can relax, recharge their batteries and have fun with their children. Robin House has a specialist teenage unit - teenagers needs are very different to those of younger children. Likewise they don't fit into the adult hospice scene which is geared up primarily for oncology conditions.

The bed will be used mostly by the teenage boys who stay at Robin House! The lads themselves requested the bed, as many of them have it at home and it provides the most comfort for them. The bed not only moves up and down but laterally from side to side. This aspect of the bed relieves pressure on the body. The boys' conditions mean that they find it very difficult to turn in bed or even readjust themselves slightly, movements that most of us take from granted as we sleep.

CHAS Regional Fundraising Manager Victoria Cartwright said, "This wonderful donation will enable CHAS to buy a new specialist bed at Robin House for young adults who visit the hospice. The bed will help them to have a comfortable night's sleep while enjoying greater independence by being able to control the bed's functions themselves. We are incredibly grateful to Colin McRae Vision for this very generous donation."

Perth (Australia) WRX Annual Colin McRae Cruise Just grows bigger every year!

On first seeing Colin in Australia in 1993 David Christian became an avid fan and followed Colin's career, managing to meet him several times over the years he competed, be it with Subaru, Ford, Citroen or Skoda. After dreaming about owning a Subaru WRX for years, David finally bought one in 2008 and joined the community. They did a few non-specific cruises each year. After being part of the club for about 9 months David decided to organise the first Colin McRae Memorial Cruise. The first one had about 50 cars and was just a chance to remember Colin and go for a drive. After the success of 2009, 2010 saw the event become more popular with about 100 vehicles.

For 2011 David decided to go big to try and truly do Colin and Johnny's memory justice. This year the Club had approx 145 cars and well over 200 people.

The cruise route took them from Perth city into the Mundaring Hills where several of the stages of Rally Australia were held, they then proceed through the foothills surrounding Perth and headed south to Serpentine/Jarrahdale area where more of Rally Australia was held. All of the roads were asphalt with the exception of one small portion of about 900m of WA's famous gravel. The tour covered about 300km in total on the day.

Alister McRae joined the entrants before they headed off and David and his friends managed to raise £2000 for the Vision through cruise maps, a raffle and commemorative stickers.

Well done everyone involved - your donation is very much appreciated.

McRae Stages Eve-Of-Event Rally Forum In Conjunction With Colin McRae Vision Charity

Stig Blomqvist, Phil Mills, Jimmy McRae and David Bogie will be star attractions at the eve-of-event Rally Forum, to be staged on Friday 30th September at the Moness House Hotel & Country Club, Aberfeldy, Perthshire PH15 2DY. Free Entry, admission ONLY with ticket. Register by emailing : tickets@colinmcraevision.com.

Check www.coltnesscarclub.com or on Twitter @coltnesscarclub.

Inaugrual Scottish Motorsport Festival Revs Into Action Next Month

Formula One World Championship titles, Indianapolis 500 victories, Le Mans 24 Hours wins, World Rally Championship crowns... the small nation of Scotland has left an indelible mark on the world of motor sport world over the decades and it continues to do so today. To celebrate this long-running success and to look to the future, the Motor Sports Association, the sport's UK governing body, has created the 'Scottish Motorsport Festival', a week of events (01-09 October 2011) bookended by the Colin McRae Forest Stages Rally and the RACMSA Rally of Scotland, two of the country's premier sporting events.

The newly created Scottish Motorsport Festival will feature lots of highlights and activities. There will be star driver forums; the best of Scottish rally talent competing in the final round of the Scottish Rally Championship on the McRae Stages; an introduction to karting for schools; a special autotest between the media and leading competitors from the Intercontinental Rally Challenge motorsport. The spectacular start of the IRC Rally of Scotland at Stirling Castle will feature motorbike trials demonstrations as well as an opportunity for fans to see the Colin McRae R4 rally car for the first time in Scotland. The final day of Rally of Scotland will see the launch of a new rally championship for 14-17 year old children at Scone Palace on Sunday 9th October.

Jim McRae said, "to have a motorsport Festival that is designed to further promote all the opportunities that exist within our sport means that we look to grow on Scotland's success into the future. That so many of the activities include kids is one of the reason that the Colin McRae Vision Charity is supporting this initiative as this is the reason for the charity"

The full schedule of events and timings are available from the new Scottish Motorsport Festival website: www.scottishmotorsportfestival.co.uk.

Colin McRae Subaru Weekender

In September 2010, Flat Out Club Member, Justin Hinchliffe approached the Vision team with an ambitious idea. He was sure that he could get enough support from Colin's loyal Subaru fans to sign up for a Tour of North Wales on Day 1 and then on Day 2 a show with various prizes, raffles and displays. Well, we thought it was a great idea and after a huge amount of work by Justin, we were so proud to follow Justin on the Tour on Saturday 23rd July in Colin's very own Series McRae. Over 100 Subarus took part and North Wales definitely gave Scotland a run for its money! Great roads, great weather and fantastic scenery including Snowdonia National Park and the Great Orme.

The feedback has been very positive and we think an absolute credit to Justin and his partner Debbie to pull off such a well organised tour and show. All the more remarkable as Justin and Debbie were also organising their wedding on the 13th August.

We would also like to thank: Rob Formstone - Freelance Photos North Wales; Pete Farrow - Togethia; Kev Gelsinan APM Graphics; Mark Barclay - CES Chester; Bill Madeley -BML- Hayley; Ken Block -Monster World Rally Team; Phill Harrison -Ramsport; Margaret Paterson- Thomas Tunnock Ltd and all the marshals and friends who helped Justin.

We will be announcing the next donation from the Vision in the near future, watch this space.

"Flat - Out" In Reno

When Flat - Out Club Member, Craig Callander from Lochgilphead, was planning his holiday to Reno Nevada, he discovered that while he was there a 10k Run was being organised. What better way to raise some money for the "Vision" - run in blistering heat and why not get Audrey, his wife involved too!

Well - we are delighted to report that not only did he finish in under 1 hr, he even got a medal, finishing 3rd in the 40 - 49 age group

With the limited training that she could fit in, Audrey managed the 5k in a respectable 41min. Well done to both Craig and Audrey - your efforts are very much appreciated.

Division: M 40-49

Place	Time	Pace	Bib#	Name	City/St	Age
1	40:34	6:31.7	407	Peter Davies	Red Bluff, CA	46
2	51:17	8:15.2	414	Clint Rhoads	Sparks, NV	40
3	59:28	9:34.2	401	Craig Callander	Lochgilphead, Scotland	40

No Need To Guess The Identity Of This Stig!

The 'original' Stig is set to captivate and excite Scottish rally fans on Saturday 1st October with conformation that he will compete on the Colin McRae Forest Stages Rally. Stig Blomqvist - the 1984 world champion - will return to the Perthshire forest he previously visited during the 70's and 80's. The Swedish legend will be behind the wheel of a new MkII Ford Escort, owned and prepared by Phil Mills, himself a former world championship winning co-driver. "The word legend is often used in sport - but I think it's safe to say that Stig qualifies on that count many times over," said Jim Brown, Chairman of Coltness Car Club, the rally organisers. "He is a past world champion, has been a star driver for Saab, Audi, Talbot and Ford, not to mention that Top Gear's anonymous race driver also took his name. "That he will be competing on the Colin McRae Forest Stages Rally only shows the attraction this rally, the classic Perthshire stages and historic rallying in general. We've already been contacted by rally enthusiasts from around the UK asking if Stig will be there - because people will travel from far and wide just to see him and the Escort in action."

Eve-Of-Event Rally Forum In Conjunction With Colin McRae Vision Charity

Blomqvist ,Mills and Jimmy McRae will also be star attractions at the eve-of-event Rally Forum, to be staged on Friday 30th September at the Moness House Hotel & Country Club, Aberfeldy, Perthshire PH15 2DY .

Check www.coltnesscarclub.com or on Twitter @coltnesscarclub

Lost Boys found in Lanark!

Last year a bunch of colleagues and friends decided to get together to help a nominated charity. The aim was to have some fun while raising some funds! That lead to the start of the Lost Boys Rally. For 2011 The Lost Boys nominated the Colin McRae Vision and there began a great idea for a road trip, which started in Hull and ended in Lanark on Saturday 18th June.

17 cars joined the tour with forty of the” Boys” dressed up in various guises, team name related! Various challenges were set to the teams en route. One of the challenges was to get photographed with someone famous and Stu Marsh, pulled it out the bag when he managed to get photographed with Damon Hill. The Mini Tank challenge proved to be pretty competitive, even though the photos prove everyone was having a lot of fun.

Once the teams all arrived in Lanark and after a good night experiencing the hospitality at the Valley International Park, Sunday saw a whole set of new challenges. As the day went on the teams were joined by Jimmy and Alison McRae who presented the prizes at the end of the event. The guys and girls from The Lost Boys did an amazing job and the Vision team were delighted to be presented with a cheque for just under £2500 at the presentation. Thank so much to everyone – we had a fab time , hope you all did too!

Colin McRae Vision Grand Prix Karting Challenge - Fantastic result for Childrens Hospice

On June 9th , teams took to the circuit at Scotkart, Glasgow to compete in the inaugural Colin McRae Vision Grand Prix Karting challenge. The vision has joined forces with CHAS to raise funds for a specialist bed and we are pleased to report that the target was exceeded!

Grid positions were determined by the amount raised for the Vision and honours went to the Coltness Car Club, closely followed by PR and Marketing agency, The Inside Line (www.the-inside-line.co.uk). Colin's buddies in "The Used to Do Gang" supported the event with very much appreciated fundraising making them 3rd in the Grid. With some serious talent in all 13 teams taking part, including both young and old kart, race and rally champions, the event was hotly contested right from the start. Team F Sport captained by Neil Purdie were the eventual winners, managing an impressive 188 laps in 2.03:07 hrs. , the Coltness Car Club followed in second place and Marco Haig 's team were pipped into third place by one second. The feedback has been very positive so hopefully some of the teams who missed out this time will be able to come along to the next event. Watch this space for details and dates.

Codemasters Launch  the Colin McRae Vision Charity Pack for DiRT® 3™

Codemasters Launch  the Colin McRae Vision Charity Pack for DiRT® 3™ from Xbox Live Marketplace and Games For Windows Marketplace for 160MSP and all  profits from the sale of this download content pack are being donated to the Colin McRae Vision Charity The Colin McRae Vision Charity Pack features a Ford Escort Mk II, the iconic 1970s Rally car made famous by Colin, plus five liveries. The pack marks the first in a series of weekly downloadable content that will become available for DiRT 3, featuring new cars and tracks. Information about the content and release date for forthcoming DLC will be made available at twitter.com/dirt3game and facebook.com/dirt3game.To mark the launch of the Colin McRae Vision Charity Pack, Codemasters has  released the final DiRT 3 developer diary. The video features DiRT 3 technical consultants Ken Block and Kris Meeke, WRC driver Mikko Hirovonen and key development staff recalling their own memories of Colin.

Viewers are also taken behind the scenes at Battersea Power Station, which was turned into a real life level from DiRT 3 for Ken Block’s latest Gymkhana driving video – DiRT 3 Battersea. The developer diary is now playing at http://www.youtube.com/dirt3game