Key Highlights
- Hollie McRae, daughter of the late world rally champion Colin McRae, makes her competitive driving debut.
- The event is held exactly 30 years after Colin’s tragic death in a helicopter crash near their home in Lanark.
- Hollie will compete in the Roger Albert Clark Rally using a Mini rally car and partnering with Jon Armstrong as co-driver.
- McRae’s legacy continues through his family, including his grandfather Jimmy and uncle Alister who were also successful drivers.
The McRae Legacy in Motorsport
Hollie McRae is set to make her competitive rally driving debut on the Roger Albert Clark Rally, an event that commemorates a significant moment in motorsport history. This event will mark exactly 30 years since her father, Colin McRae, tragically lost his life in a helicopter crash near their home in Lanark, Scotland.
Colin’s Tragic Death and Family Impact
The death of Colin McRae on September 15, 2007, at the age of 39, was a devastating blow to his family. In addition to Colin, his wife Alison, five-year-old brother Johnny, and family friends Graeme Duncan and six-year-old Ben Porcelli were also killed in the crash. This tragic event left an indelible mark on their lives and the motorsport community.
For years after this incident, Hollie’s mother avoided rally events, which meant that racing was not a significant part of young Hollie’s life.
However, as she grew older, her interest in motorsport began to intensify. “The opportunities kept coming my way and I got tired of turning them down,” said Hollie. She eventually decided to pursue this passion seriously.
Returning to Motorsport
Hollie’s decision to enter rally driving was not made overnight. After completing her studies as a teacher, she briefly considered continuing in that profession before deciding to focus on motorsport media and presenting. In September 2025, she sat as co-driver for her grandfather Jimmy McRae at the International McRae Rally Challenge at Knockhill. This event marked both 50 years of rallying for Jimmy and 30 years since Alister’s triumph in the British Rally Championship.
Competing on Home Soil
The Roger Albert Clark Rally, which takes place from November 21 to 26, 2025, will be Hollie’s first taste of high-speed driving. She will be behind the wheel of a Mini rally car and partnering with Jon Armstrong as her co-driver for the Mini challenge on Saturday, November 22. This event is particularly significant as it coincides with the anniversary of Colin’s world championship win in 1995.
“There are going to be a lot of emotions, and something I don’t necessarily think I’ve grasped the full gravity of yet,” Hollie said. “It will, I suppose, be the closest I’ve ever felt to experience even the slightest bit of what my dad might have felt 30 years ago.” This event is not only about honoring her father’s legacy but also about embracing a sport that has been a part of her family for generations.
Hollie’s mother Alison remains supportive, although she initially had reservations. “When I first started getting involved in the sport and getting passenger runs, mum was like ‘Oh god, not another one, what are we going to do now’,” Hollie recalled.
However, with time, her mother has come around to the idea. She hopes that Alison will be able to attend the event and cheer on from the sidelines.
The McRae family’s involvement in motorsport extends beyond just Colin. His grandfather Jimmy was a British champion five times in the 1980s, and his uncle Alister also competed at the top level.
This tradition of racing has now been carried forward to Hollie, who is determined to honor her father’s memory by competing in the sport that meant so much to him.
The Roger Albert Clark Rally will be a significant milestone for Hollie McRae and the McRae family as they continue their journey in the world of rally driving. As the event approaches, there is no doubt that it will be filled with emotions, both personal and professional, reflecting the enduring legacy of Colin McRae in Scottish motorsport.
