Tackling one leg of next week's Roger Albert Clark Rally, Hollie McRae simply wants to enjoy herself
Photography by Peter Kiss
Words by Luke Barry
It’s big news everywhere – not just in rallying.
One week from today, Hollie McRae will start her very first rally as a driver. And poignantly, she’ll do it 30 years to the day since her father, Colin, won the World Rally Championship.
“The rally is my next test in pushing myself out of my comfort zone, in trying something new despite what others might think or say,” Hollie said.
“I’ve been apprehensive about rallying myself due to the comparisons that will likely be drawn to my dad, gramps, uncle, cousin… the list goes on! The McRae surname means that, in this sport, I’ll immediately have more eyes on me in the early stages than any other driver of my level. And for too long, that thought has put me off getting into the drivers’ seat at all.
“But I’m taking some brave pills and doing it anyway to prove to myself that I can work through those uneasy feelings and do something for myself.”
Hollie will drive a Mini Cooper on Saturday’s leg of the Roger Albert Clark Rally, competing in the Mini Rally Challenge. She’ll be co-driven by her partner, European Rally Championship runner-up Jon Armstrong.
“Growing up, I knew that my dad raced cars for a living but I honestly had no idea about the history or achievements in the sport, and the impact that he’d made on so many people’s lives, until long after we lost him,” she added.
“I’ve learned so much about my dad in relation to rallying since I started working in the sport in 2023 and it feels so special that it’s led me to this moment.”
Hollie has no plans after the RAC but, if she enjoys herself, who’s to say she won’t tackle more events in the future?
“I just want to go and enjoy it,” she said. “If I have the worst time ever, at least I can say that I’ve tried and put this rallying thing to one side.
“But I do really want to enjoy it, to feel even a fraction of what my dad might have felt doing the thing that he loved so much. The goal is to get the car to the finish and have a big smile on my face when I get there.”
Words:Luke Barry
Tags: Hollie McRae, Roger Albert Clark Rally
Publish Date November 15, 2025 DirtFish 
https://dirtfish-editorial.s3-accelerate.amazonaws.com/2025/11/Document-Nami_56-780x1170.jpg November 15, 2025
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