Bruno Magalhães has been chosen as the inaugural winner of the Colin McRae IRC Flat Out Trophy following his victory on Sata Rallye Açores, his first in the Intercontinental Rally Challenge.
Magalhaes, 30, was chosen by a panel of judges consisting of the IRC’s motorsport development manager Jean-Pierre Nicolas (pictured right), Eurosport’s Gilbert Roy and Colin’s father Jim McRae.
The award is presented to the most spectacular driver on each round of the IRC starting from the Azores and is part of the association between Eurosport Events, promoter of the IRC, and the Colin McRae Vision charity.
After accepting the award from Jean-Pierre Nicolas, Magalhães, from Portugal, said: “It’s a big honour for me because Colin is my hero. He was the driver who impressed me the most. I remember him in Rally of Portugal in 1999 when he won the first two special stages by one minute over the other guys and won the rally. He was incredible so for me it’s an honour to receive this gift because Colin is a hero.”
Nicolas added: “It’s a pleasure to give this trophy to Bruno after discussing with Jimmy McRae and Gilbert Roy we decided in this rally the fighting spirit of Colin was best shown by Bruno who has done a really fantastic rally. We hope he will fight again on the next rally to compete for the second trophy.”
Kris Meeke, who finished second, and fourth-placed Andreas Mikkelsen were also shortlisted for the trophy.
– Credit: www.ircseries.com