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| 2003.12.19 |
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Colin McRae Debuts in Dakar in 2004 Nissan Pickup
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December 19, Silverstone, UK
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On December 19th, at a permanent offroad course near the Silverstone Circuit about one hour northeast of the Nissan Rally Raid Team's UK Garage in the southern English town of Vantage, Colin McRae did a shakedown of the 2004 model Nissan pickup. With the early morning mist still hanging in the air, McRae, who showed up in his private helicopter, carefully adjusted the seat and immediately set out around the 1-kilometer course.
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McRae, whose official inclusion in the Nissan team was revealed at a meeting held in Paris on the 18th of last month to announce the team lineup, flew to South Africa at the end of the month where he drove the (previous model) Nissan pickup for the first time at a test ground on the outskirts of Cape Town. In the tests, which were carried out at the test ground over two days, McRae also experienced his first sand dunes. "I felt culture shock the first time I encountered them, but quickly got used to them," he said, showing excellent ability to adapt under the guidance of local South African driver Giniel de Villiers.
On this occasion, too, although this was McRae's first encounter with the 2004 model the machine he will drive in the Rally - he quickly showed his trademark aggressive style after an experimental warmup to check the features of the car. This course had a relatively large number of flat legs, and McRae impressed watchers with his graceful drift technique in which he effortlessly cleared tight corners from a feint motion. Gilles Martineau, Nissan Team Manager who was visiting the South African test ground, showed confidence in the prominent Paris-Dakar rookie, admitting that he "was really driving well." The leading UK former WRC champion's switch to cross-country rally attracted a great amount of interest, and on the day of his Cape Town test drive, large numbers of media representatives from the BBC and UK autosports magazines gathered to watch.
McRae, who completed at least 40 laps - including demonstration runs in which he carried journalists in the passenger's seat - by just after 3 o'clock in the afternoon, was full of enthusiasm. After the driving was over, Nissan's engineers explained in detail such matters as how to change the tires and wheels, which have an air pressure adjustment system, how to use the air jack, and where the various equipment on the car was stored, and McRae enthusiastically took notes as he listened. McRae also showed a commitment to detail, making fine adjustments to the angle of the steering post and replacing the seat cushion with his own made of Tempur, and arrangements continued until past 6 o'clock when the sun went down.
The shakedown of the remaining two Nissan cars (de Villier's car had already been shaken down at Johannesburg) is scheduled to take place at the UK workshop, as well as the shakedown of the Nissan Patrol GR (known as the "Safari" in Japan; gasoline powered, T1 specs) to be driven by Yoshio Ikemachi. Support teams of mechanics are being sent from South Africa and France, and the workshop is already quite busy. The competition cars, which will have had their final checks, will leave for France for the vehicle inspections in Clermont-Ferrand on December 31st.
Comments by Colin McRae
"The cross-country rally car I drove for the first time at the end of November was much faster than I expected from its weight and body size. It's different from the WRC rally cars, and I was surprised at its maneuverability. The model I drove that time was a 2001 model that had been in the South Africa Championships, and when I drove the 2004 model today, I was surprised at the progress made since that earlier model. The new model is better in all respects, and is well put together. In particular, I was impressed at its stability and ease of driving in which the weight seemed to melt away. The ergonomics have also clearly improved, and there is now some extra room around the feet and elbows. Even so, the stages are long and 18 days of continuous driving will be hard. Now I want to concentrate on the Dakar Rally. I don't know what will happen, but I want to enjoy that situation. There won't be the chance to drive the car until the rally itself, and how much I can get used to the car in the three days of driving in Europe will hold the key to winning or losing. I am pleased to be working with Team Leader Martineau, and it is great to be able to participate in the Nissan Team. I will do my best to reach Dakar safely."
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