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FIA RALLY: McRae operation scheduled for Monday

4 October 2000

Posted By Terry Callahan
Motorsports Editor, The Auto Channel

Ford Martini World Rally team driver Colin McRae is recovering well following last weekend's serious accident on the Tour of Corsica rally in which the Scot suffered a double fracture of his left cheekbone and a bruised lung.

After being flown to Scotland by air ambulance on Sunday afternoon, 32-year-old McRae was examined by a specialist in Edinburgh. It was decided to allow the swelling to McRae's face to reduce before a minor operation to re-set the fractured bones below his left eye. The operation is scheduled to take place at Edinburgh's Murrayfield Hospital on Monday (9 October).

Although still in considerable discomfort following the 120kph accident during the second leg of the rally, 11th round of the FIA World Rally Championship, McRae has his sights firmly set on returning to action for the next round of the series, Italy's Sanremo Rally, which starts on Friday 20 October.

However, it will be some time before a decision can be made as to his fitness and the team will be guided by expert medical advice.

McRae and co-driver Nicky Grist were due to test their Ford Focus World Rally Car in Wales on Monday (9 October) in preparation for November's final round of the championship, the Rally Great Britain. That test has been cancelled and will be re-scheduled once McRae is fully fit.

Following the accident, Ford Martini team management held discussions with the Federation International Automobile (FIA), the sport's governing body, and will work alongside the FIA in providing their observations and recommendations following the incident and on safety procedures in the sport in general.

Text Provided By Mark Wilford

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