Mcrae Gathering Report
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Joined: Nov 2007
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From: Sheffield
Mcrae Gathering Report
What a truly outstanding weekend it has been, the memory of one of the greatest rally drivers remembered in what can only be called spectacular style.
We started our journey from Sheffield, headed across the Woodhead pass and waited patiently in the Knutsford services on the M6. Smiles and hellos from fellow Subaru drivers as soon as we pulled in made us realise we were part of something very special indeed.
At around 2.30 we gathered in a line and awaited the arrival of the convoy car, stickered in yellow with a flashing orange light, on hearing news from the Highways agency that the convoy was running late, we chatted to other Subaru-ists whilst we waited. Unbeknown to us at the time the 300 strong convoy that left Lanark had pulled into Charnock Richards services to be met by another 300 Subaru’s!
Finally our time came and the convoy car picked us up, from that moment on, it was simply the most stunning sight I have ever been privileged enough to witness, sat in the passenger seat frantically waving to the crowds of people who had gathered on bridges and flyovers to cheer on the convoy, banners flying and cameras recording (Go to You Tube and search for Mcrae Gathering for videos). Reports came back that only 3 bridges on the way from Lanark to Banbury were unoccupied, which says a lot for how people feel about Colin. For as far as we could see, in front and behind us, there was nothing but Subaru’s, headlights dipped and travelling at a maximum of 60mph.
The sheer scale of the convoy was put input perspective for us, as we drove down, the overheads signs gleamed with “Queue Caution” and “Queue Ahead”. We overheard one of the marshals commenting that it had taken 30 miles for him to travel the length of the convoy from back to front. It was awesome to be involved in something so huge.
On arrival at Prodrive, we parked all over the estate, as other companies had kindly opened their gates to us so we could all manage to park somewhere. There were no planned activities for the Saturday evening, just a stop in the itinerary so that everyone knew where to turn up to the following morning, but no activities have ever stopped Subaru drivers from stopping and chatting for some time! Pictures were taken of the facility and there were queues to have pictures taken in front of the legendary Prodrive signs. From there on in the evening was our own and we all decamped to hotels, camping sites and B&B’s. Eagerly awaiting the following morning,
At 8am we set off from our home for the night and headed for Prodrive, and this time parking in one of the main car parks, we had an excellent view of people arriving and of course when the time came, N1 WRC came right by us to lead off the convoy. No word of a lie, the footprint of Prodrive was absolutely heaving on that day, there were plenty of Subaru “uniforms” dotted around, and the specially made Mcrae Gathering T-Shirts, the Subaru World Rally Team had opened their doors and we were allowed to look around their workshops, and the heritage centre where many of Prodrive’s past victory cars are housed. The queue for that alone must have stretched over 600 yards. On show together were N1 WRC, the infamous Gobstopper of Roger Clark Motorsport and the amazing Interceptor Impreza, bristling with law enforcing goodies. Also available for viewing pleasure was the original prototype 22B, number 000/400, simply amazing.
At 12 sharp we were back at our cars for the eventful drive up the M40 to the Warwick test track, inevitably something went wrong and our small part of the convoy ended up lost, so out came the SatNav and we continued on our own. All the while we were worried that we were at the back end of the convoy and that we would be missing allsorts as we plodded through the Warwickshire countryside, how wrong could we have been? We had been there at least 3 hours and cars were still queuing up to be parked in the huge mosaic.
Although the weather wasn’t perfect, the rain didn’t dampen the day, only our clothes! And the spirit of the event was far greater than anyone expected. The organisers were astounded at the turnout and were full of thanks to everyone who had participated. By the time the event started a huge £25,000 had already been raised, and judging by the generosity of the people that turned out, that figure is likely to have risen somewhat again. For example, a weekend away with the SWRT at Rally GB was auctioned for £2,200. A mere drop in the ocean for this once in a lifetime opportunity, and someone very special will certainly enjoy it! Probably the funniest comment of the day was from the auctioneer, highlighting people who had bid on lots… “You there, the man at the back in a Subaru shirt!”
The world records were quite a talking point too, with over 1000 cars in the giant mosaic, we smashed the previous world record by around 800! And the second world record of the day was the convoy of all cars to leave the facility. The largest by far as the previous holder was for 500 Fiat 500’s. Look out for us in the next issue!
After our parade lap we all headed off home, happy at the weekend, but sad that we had to commemorate the loss of such a great man, after all we would all much rather him still be here enjoying life to the full… If in doubt… Flat out!!
I really can’t gush enough about what an absolutely stunning weekend it was for us, and I’m sure I’ve missed so much in this post. Words cannot describe perfection! Thank you so much to everyone involved!
Gone, but never forgotten. We miss you Colin.
Pictures
Getting ready to leave the services
queue to join the convoy
exit for the M6
posing!
Banbury hospitality
N1 WRC
the mighty Gobstopper
police interceptor
prototype 22B
the prototype’s official stamp
one of the car parks
another car park
one for you Debs?
Scooby needed to stay awake
our part of the mosaic, the flag
from our end of the mosaic, we could hardly see the other end of it!
If there was every a traffic jam to be stuck in…
We started our journey from Sheffield, headed across the Woodhead pass and waited patiently in the Knutsford services on the M6. Smiles and hellos from fellow Subaru drivers as soon as we pulled in made us realise we were part of something very special indeed.
At around 2.30 we gathered in a line and awaited the arrival of the convoy car, stickered in yellow with a flashing orange light, on hearing news from the Highways agency that the convoy was running late, we chatted to other Subaru-ists whilst we waited. Unbeknown to us at the time the 300 strong convoy that left Lanark had pulled into Charnock Richards services to be met by another 300 Subaru’s!
Finally our time came and the convoy car picked us up, from that moment on, it was simply the most stunning sight I have ever been privileged enough to witness, sat in the passenger seat frantically waving to the crowds of people who had gathered on bridges and flyovers to cheer on the convoy, banners flying and cameras recording (Go to You Tube and search for Mcrae Gathering for videos). Reports came back that only 3 bridges on the way from Lanark to Banbury were unoccupied, which says a lot for how people feel about Colin. For as far as we could see, in front and behind us, there was nothing but Subaru’s, headlights dipped and travelling at a maximum of 60mph.
The sheer scale of the convoy was put input perspective for us, as we drove down, the overheads signs gleamed with “Queue Caution” and “Queue Ahead”. We overheard one of the marshals commenting that it had taken 30 miles for him to travel the length of the convoy from back to front. It was awesome to be involved in something so huge.
On arrival at Prodrive, we parked all over the estate, as other companies had kindly opened their gates to us so we could all manage to park somewhere. There were no planned activities for the Saturday evening, just a stop in the itinerary so that everyone knew where to turn up to the following morning, but no activities have ever stopped Subaru drivers from stopping and chatting for some time! Pictures were taken of the facility and there were queues to have pictures taken in front of the legendary Prodrive signs. From there on in the evening was our own and we all decamped to hotels, camping sites and B&B’s. Eagerly awaiting the following morning,
At 8am we set off from our home for the night and headed for Prodrive, and this time parking in one of the main car parks, we had an excellent view of people arriving and of course when the time came, N1 WRC came right by us to lead off the convoy. No word of a lie, the footprint of Prodrive was absolutely heaving on that day, there were plenty of Subaru “uniforms” dotted around, and the specially made Mcrae Gathering T-Shirts, the Subaru World Rally Team had opened their doors and we were allowed to look around their workshops, and the heritage centre where many of Prodrive’s past victory cars are housed. The queue for that alone must have stretched over 600 yards. On show together were N1 WRC, the infamous Gobstopper of Roger Clark Motorsport and the amazing Interceptor Impreza, bristling with law enforcing goodies. Also available for viewing pleasure was the original prototype 22B, number 000/400, simply amazing.
At 12 sharp we were back at our cars for the eventful drive up the M40 to the Warwick test track, inevitably something went wrong and our small part of the convoy ended up lost, so out came the SatNav and we continued on our own. All the while we were worried that we were at the back end of the convoy and that we would be missing allsorts as we plodded through the Warwickshire countryside, how wrong could we have been? We had been there at least 3 hours and cars were still queuing up to be parked in the huge mosaic.
Although the weather wasn’t perfect, the rain didn’t dampen the day, only our clothes! And the spirit of the event was far greater than anyone expected. The organisers were astounded at the turnout and were full of thanks to everyone who had participated. By the time the event started a huge £25,000 had already been raised, and judging by the generosity of the people that turned out, that figure is likely to have risen somewhat again. For example, a weekend away with the SWRT at Rally GB was auctioned for £2,200. A mere drop in the ocean for this once in a lifetime opportunity, and someone very special will certainly enjoy it! Probably the funniest comment of the day was from the auctioneer, highlighting people who had bid on lots… “You there, the man at the back in a Subaru shirt!”
The world records were quite a talking point too, with over 1000 cars in the giant mosaic, we smashed the previous world record by around 800! And the second world record of the day was the convoy of all cars to leave the facility. The largest by far as the previous holder was for 500 Fiat 500’s. Look out for us in the next issue!
After our parade lap we all headed off home, happy at the weekend, but sad that we had to commemorate the loss of such a great man, after all we would all much rather him still be here enjoying life to the full… If in doubt… Flat out!!
I really can’t gush enough about what an absolutely stunning weekend it was for us, and I’m sure I’ve missed so much in this post. Words cannot describe perfection! Thank you so much to everyone involved!
Gone, but never forgotten. We miss you Colin.
Pictures
Getting ready to leave the services
queue to join the convoy
exit for the M6
posing!
Banbury hospitality
N1 WRC
the mighty Gobstopper
police interceptor
prototype 22B
the prototype’s official stamp
one of the car parks
another car park
one for you Debs?
Scooby needed to stay awake
our part of the mosaic, the flag
from our end of the mosaic, we could hardly see the other end of it!
If there was every a traffic jam to be stuck in…
Last edited by bullitt_Lynz; Sep 3, 2008 at 08:57 AM.
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Looks like you had a cracking day - nearly tried going to the M1 to watch (if you came up that way) but something else came up 
Can't see many '08s amongst the crowd... Am I one of the few that's keeping Subaru going?
Can't see many '08s amongst the crowd... Am I one of the few that's keeping Subaru going?
Thread Starter
Scooby Regular
Joined: Nov 2007
Posts: 1,254
Likes: 0
From: Sheffield
Thanks 
it was aaace! 
there were some 08's there, but they were a touch outnumbered!
still coming back down to earth from it all, and now looking at how the hell i can buy my own and insure it!!
it was aaace! there were some 08's there, but they were a touch outnumbered!
still coming back down to earth from it all, and now looking at how the hell i can buy my own and insure it!!
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Joined: May 2007
Posts: 795
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From: Wakefield
YouTube - Colin McRae Gathering down the M6, Sandbach
You tube clip, its ace
And overhead pic -
http://www.newspress.co.uk/DAILY_LIN...10908-a-pd.jpg
Awesome
You tube clip, its ace
And overhead pic -
http://www.newspress.co.uk/DAILY_LIN...10908-a-pd.jpg
Awesome
Thread Starter
Scooby Regular
Joined: Nov 2007
Posts: 1,254
Likes: 0
From: Sheffield
Yoooou tube.... the report from Fifth Gear...watch it here 
how smiley am i, soooo glad i went, i'm tingly all over!!!
YouTube - Fifth Gear - The McRae Gathering 2008
how smiley am i, soooo glad i went, i'm tingly all over!!!
YouTube - Fifth Gear - The McRae Gathering 2008
