Alister McRae has revealed that while he was sceptical about the decision to move to Group N cars in the BRC, he now believes it was the right decision.
Speaking ahead of the first round in the Tesco 99 Octane MSA British Rally Championship this weekend - the Pirelli International Rally, the Scot, who has secured a one-off deal to use a Subaru Impreza N11, added that it should be a good battle for the victory, especially with seven former British Rally champions confirmed for the event.
"When it was announced that the championship was moving to GpN I was a bit sceptical," he reflected, "but now having seen the entry with ten very quick cars out there I'm convinced it's the right decision. It's going to be very fast and very competitive at the front of the field.
"All the obvious ones will figure at the head of the field. You've got Mark Higgins who's the reigning champion. Then there's David Higgins who won the previous year. Jonny Milner's a two-time champion and Tapio [Laukkanen] and Gwyndaf [Evans] have won the title too – it's quite some line-up!
"Then you've got the young guns like Rory Galligan and Phillip Morrow who are eager to outdo us, but us more experienced drivers are eager to show we've still got what it takes."
As for who will eventually take the title in the six-event series, which culminates with the Wales Rally GB, Britain's round of the WRC, Alister reckons it will be tough for any of the drivers' to win.
"There's no secret to it, you need to be quickest and get to the end of the rallies, it is as simple as that. It's going to be flat out right from the start and you have to put in the times but be capable of getting to the end," he concluded.
