McRae returns to WRC actionposted in WRC16 | 01 | 2012

LANARK'S ALISTER McRAE will return to the World Rally Championship when he contests the Swedish Rally next month.

Five years after he last competed in the WRC, McRae will drive his Proton Satria-Neo S2000 in the second round of this year's championship on February 9-12.

"It's great to be back in the WRC," the former British Rally champion admitted. "It's been a while since I was competing at this level, but it's great to get the chance again with Proton.

"Sweden is an event all drivers really enjoy; the stages are nice and fast and flowing and, providing there's good snow, there's always very good grip."

McRae, who clinched the Asia Pacific Championship last year just after he thrilled the crowd in RallyScotland, last contested a WRC event in 2007 when he drove a Mitsubishi in New Zealand.

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He also has experience of the Swedish conditions, having contested the event seven times. His best-ever finish was fifth overall.

The Scot though is still reflecting on the disappointment of being forced to retire early from this year's Dakar Rally in Argentina.

Driving his own creation, the McRae Enduro, the Scot was forced out when a an electronic glitch in the engine management system halted the car.

"It was a great pity because the team had worked tirelessly to prepare the car," McRae explained, "but these things happen in motorsport and we just couldn't get on top of it.

"I'm confident though we'll be able to deliver a good, solid performance in the Proton in Sweden, and get the WRC season off to a positive start."

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Jim McGill