FORMER world champions, iconic cars and an Olympic hero will descend on West Fife this weekend to honour a Scottish motorsport legend.

Knockhill Racing Circuit, which hosted its biggest Bennetts British Superbike Championship crowds for nine years when it arrived north of the border over June 18-19, is gearing up to host the McRae Rally Challenge this weekend.

Being run for a second time, the event will commemorate the life and achievements of the late Colin McRae (pictured right), who became Britain’s first world rally champion in 1995, and those of his father, Jimmy; brother, Alister; and Alister’s son, and current rising star, Max (pictured above).

Two action-packed days will take place on Saturday and Sunday, with no fewer than six former global champions – Stig Blomqvist, Luis Moya, Derek Ringer, who partnered Colin to the world title, Phil Mills, Louise Aitken-Walker and Tina Thorner – attending, while Sir Chris Hoy – a six-time Olympic Games cycling gold-medalist, and family friend of the McRaes – will also be making his rallying debut.

Stuart Gray, director of events at Knockhill, said: “There’s never been a rally event like it I think in the country, with a combination of the quality of entry, the cars that are competing and are on display.

“Six former champions at one venue, one event – you wait for one, and then six come along at once. It’s like 41 buses!

“We’re really pleased.”

A full capacity field of 85 entrants, which also includes current World Rally Championship star Elfyn Evans, who will be supporting his father, Gwyndaf, will entertain the crowds.

The venue is anticipating crowds of around 5,000 to attend each day –their biggest for a rally event – and they will be able to watch a fantastic selection of rally action, as well as track parades, demonstrations, on-stage interviews, car displays and much more.

Jimmy, Alister and Max will also go head-to-head for the first time and, before the action gets under way, a ribbon ceremony will take place to mark the renaming of the right-hand corner at the bottom of Duffus Dip as ‘McRae’s’ at all rally and rallycross events.

“The highlight is the three generations (of the McRae family) and we are pleased to have played a small part in Max’s development as a driver as he came over as a 12- and 13-year-old, and spent time here training in our rally experience cars,” Stuart continued.

“In addition to the largest ever collection of Colin’s cars in Scotland, 23 of them, we have the world launch of the Best Impreza Number One, an exclusive limited edition, of eight, of L555 BAT, Colin’s World Rally Championship-winning car.”

There will be 10 stages held, covering more than 40 stage miles, and tickets are available on the gate, and at www.knockhill.com.