McRae's Dakar move to hit Subaru return?

Colin McRae's decision to race in the Paris-Dakar Rally in 2004 could rule the Scot out of driving for Subaru in the FIA World Rally Championship.

With Richard Burns now sidelined, following news the Englishman will have to have treatment for a brain tumour, McRae was one name that had been linked to the now vacant seat for next year.

However, with news yesterday that the 1995 WRC champion has signed to race for the Nissan Rally Raid Team, such a move looks unlikely, because although the Paris-Dakar will finish five days before the start of the Monte Carlo Rally on January 23, testing for both teams could prove difficult, especially as McRae would need to reacquaint himself with the Impreza WRC, after driving the Xsara this season and the Ford Focus from 1999-2002.

Speaking yesterday, at the press conference held in Paris, that revealed Nissan's line-up for the Dakar 2004, McRae, who was dumped by Citroen, told British newspaper The Guardian: "At the moment I'm only thinking about Paris-Dakar and Richard.

"It's a very cruel world sometimes and this sort of thing is a big shock. I really hope Richard can make a full and speedy recovery."

McRae added: "It [the Paris-Dakar] is something I've always wanted to do. I always enjoyed the Safari, especially the old Safaris, an event where you could pace yourself, but it's very much a learning year for me. I am looking forward to showing what I can do in a different type of rallying."

With McRae less of a possibility now, Subaru may turn their attention to Markko Martin, who could be left without a seat, should Ford decide not to take part in 2004.

Other options for the Prodrive ran squad include enticing Tommi Makinen out of retirement - the Finn was back on form at the Rally GB, or gambling on an upcoming driver.

McRae last drove for Subaru in 1998, prior to that he had a long relationship with the Banbury based squad, racing for them from 1991 in the British Rally Championship, before graduating to the WRC full-time in 1994.