THE second running of an event which commemorated the achievements of a legendary motorsport family has been hailed as a "different level".

Last weekend, former world champions travelled to Knockhill Racing Circuit for the McRae Rally Challenge, joining three generations of the family to celebrate their legacy within the sport.

The two-day spectacular had been due initially to run in 2020 to mark 25 years since the late Colin McRae, who died in 2007, became Britain's first World Rally Championship (WRC) winner, only for it to be postponed due to COVID-19.

VIDEO: Watch as Knockhill renamed

However, it took place on Saturday and Sunday, with Colin's father, Jimmy, a five-time British Rally Championship winner in his own right, taking part alongside son and Colin's brother, Alister, British champion in 1995, and Alister's son, Max, a rising star in rallying.

The trio went head-to-head for the first time in a packed field of entrants, which included a raft of Scottish and British competitors, as well as former world champions Derek Ringer, who was Colin's co-driver in 1995; Phil Mills, Louise Aitken-Walker and Tina Thorner, as well as Olympic cycling legend, and friend of the McRae family, Sir Chris Hoy, who made his rallying debut.

In addition, fans at Scotland's national motorsport centre were treated to track parades, demonstrations from the star guests, which included current World Rally Championship star Elfyn Evans, who was supporting his father, Gwyndaf, on-stage interviews and the chance to view up close iconic cars, include a large collection of those driven by Colin.

Preceding the main action, on Friday, members of the McRae family were on track as 'Duffus Dip' – the first corner on the circuit – was renamed 'McRae Corner', with the ribbon cut by Max McRae and Hollie McRae while driving the famous Subaru L555BAT rally car.

Knockhill director of events Stuart Gray said: "2015 (the year of the first McRae Rally Challenge) was a special event but this year's was a different level.

"One person involved in rally, who has been for 20 years, said he doesn't think there's been any other event in the world like it for the camaraderie, atmosphere and friendships in the paddock.

"It's hard to put into words. It has been just been amazing but we couldn't do it without the full involvement of the McRae family.

"Our link with the family goes back 35 years. It's been a long-standing relationship between the McRaes and Knockhill so it seemed only fitting that, with the whole family present, we put the seal on that relationship."

Max, who placed seventh in the rally on his Knockhill debut, said on social media that it was an "honour to do some donuts McRae style" during a parade lap, alongside sister Emmie, while Sir Chris added that it was "such a privilege" to have taken part and that he was "still buzzing from my first proper experience of rallying".

Garry Pearson and Ross Kirk were crowned winners of the rally, with Sam Pattison and Paula Swinsoe taking the junior title, while a total of £11,000 – which was still rising when the Press went to print – was also raised for Maggie's Centres through the sale of limited edition McRae tribute trucks.