Loix wins Colin McRae IRC Flat Out Trophy in Madeira

Freddy Loix has become the second winner of the Colin McRae IRC Flat Out Trophy, which is presented to the most spectacular driver who best embodies the spirit of the rallying legend on rounds of the Intercontinental Rally Challenge.

Loix, who follows in the footsteps of inaugural winner Bruno Magalhaes, was handed the prestigious award by a panel of judges consisting of the IRC’s Motorsport Development Manager Jean-Pierre Nicolas, Gilbert Roy, the Director of Editorial and Programme Development for Eurosport Events, and Colin’s father Jim McRae.

The 39-year-old from Belgium took victory on Rali Vinho Madeira, which finished in Funchal last Saturday (7 August), after going fastest on 14 of the 21 all-asphalt special stages that formed round eight of the 2010 IRC season.

What was all the more remarkable about his performance in his works Skoda Fabia S2000 Facelift, was the fact he was recovering from a dislocated shoulder, sustained when he fell off his motorbike a fortnight before the rally. He received several painkilling injections to numb the pain as he charged to his second victory in as many starts in the IRC this year.

After accepting the award from Jean-Pierre Nicolas, Loix said: “I knew Colin very well because we did World Rally Championship events together for many years. But on top of that we were friends and spent a lot of time at home on motorbikes. I knew him better as a friend than as a rally driver so this means a lot to me.”

Jim McRae, who was not in Madeira but followed the event at home on the IRC’s official website, www.rally-irc.com, said Loix was more than a worthy winner of the prestigious accolade,

“I’ve competed in Madeira before myself so I know how demanding it is with all those corners,” said McRae. “But to win the rally with the pace he showed says a great deal about his spirit and character. Freddy was the only driver we really considered in Madeira and I’m very pleased for him. I didn’t always get the breaks he deserved early in his career so it’s good he’s still going and getting good results.”

The Colin McRae IRC Flat Out Trophy will be presented on all remaining rounds of the IRC with an end of season trophy, the Colin McRae IRC Flat Out Driver of the Year, also being handed over at the IRC’s end of season awards ceremony.

It was conceived following the formation of an official partnership in June between Eurosport Events, the promoter of the IRC, and Colin McRae Vision, a charity established following the death of the 1995 world rally champion, his young son Johnny and two family friends in a helicopter accident in 2007, which aims to improve health and education for children around the world.

Eurosport Events and Colin McRae Vision will work with organisers of selected rounds of the IRC to identify suitable projects and initiatives that help young people. They will also work with the IRC’s partners, manufacturers and drivers to promote the efforts of Colin McRae Vision and increase the levels of exposure and support, with regular updates on the IRC website, in the IRC newsletter and during television coverage of IRC rounds.

The 2010 IRC season continues with Barum Czech Rally Zlin, round nine of the series, from 27-29 August when the next Colin McRae IRC Flat Out Trophy will be presented.