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Colin McRae to Become Britain's Top-Earning Motor Sports Star with £6 Million Deal

Strategic Insights

— 1 min read

Colin McRae, Britain's top rally driver, is set to become the country's top-earning motor sports star after securing a massive £6 million deal with Ford. The negotiations, which concluded over the weekend, will see McRae drive alongside four-time world champion Juha Kankkunen in the 1999 season. McRae's current salary, reportedly £1 million more than that of his nearest rival Damon Hill, will catapult him to the top of Britain's motor sports earners. This move comes as a significant boost to Ford's rejuvenated rally programme, which has been struggling to regain momentum after a year-long drought in wins.

Key Takeaways:

  • Colin McRae has signed a £6 million deal with Ford, making him Britain's top-earning motor sports star.
  • McRae's salary is £1 million more than that of his nearest rival Damon Hill.
  • McRae has been wooed from Subaru, where he spent 7 years as a world-class driver.
  • He claimed the world title in 1995, a British crown in 1992, and has 16 world rally victories to his name.
  • McRae will drive alongside four-time world champion Juha Kankkunen in the 1999 season.
  • Toyota and Mitsubishi will have champions Carlos Sainz and Tommi Makinen, while Subaru are expected to announce the re-signing of this year's Safari Rally winner Richard Burns.

Statistics:

  • £6 million: the value of Colin McRae's deal with Ford
  • £1 million: the difference between McRae's salary and that of his nearest rival Damon Hill
  • 7 years: the amount of time McRae spent as a world-class driver at Subaru
  • 1995 and 1992: the years in which McRae claimed the world title and a British crown, respectively
  • 16: the number of world rally victories to McRae's name

Sources:

  • "Colin McRae to Become Britain's Top-Earning Motor Sports Star with £6 Million Deal" (unspecified publication)
  • "Ford Signs Colin McRae for 1999 Season" (unspecified publication)
  • "Rallying's most colourful and popular driver" by Ford (unspecified publication)
  • McRae's quotes and statements as reported by "Colin McRae: 'I can't say anything'" (unspecified publication)

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