AN EVENT at Knockhill Racing Circuit to mark 25 years since the late Colin McRae became world rally champion has been postponed.

In October, Scotland's national motorsport centre had planned to welcome at least six winners of the World Rally Championship, as well as a large number of spectators, to West Fife for the McRae Rally Challenge.

The invitational event was to be held over the weekend of October 3-4 and, as well as spectacular wheel-to-wheel action, a 'Night with the Stars' Q&A evening prior to racing, and a celebratory dinner for fans on the Saturday night, were also set to take place.

However, due to uncertainties caused by coronavirus, circuit bosses and the McRae family have confirmed that the event will now take place in the summer of 2021, with a date to be announced in due course.

Stuart Gray, Knockhill director of events, explained: "We are all disappointed to announce the postponement of this special event but there are too many variables and unknowns to proceed with any certainty.

"It's an event for the fans; for Jimmy (Colin's father), Alister (Colin's brother), young Max (Colin's nephew) and, of course, fans of Colin to celebrate his remarkable career.

"Ultimately, with a star-studded line-up, rally forum and special dinner, the main focus of the event was to allow fans to get up close and personal with some of the world's most famous rallying greats.

"With the current pandemic, enforced social distancing and the limitations on rally driving itself, the only option available to us is to postpone.

"Speaking with the McRae family, we are all determined to make next year's event even better to make up for this delay. News about any tickets purchased for October will be announced soon but anything already bought will be valid for the 2021 event, with refunds given if required.

"We hope all the rally fans understand the decision and look forward to the new event in the summer of 2021."

In 1995, Colin, from Lanark, became the first Scot – and the youngest – driver to win the World Championship, having previously won the British Rally Championship in 1991 and 1992.

In 2007, at the age of just 39, Colin, along with his son, Johnny, and two family friends, died in a helicopter crash near his family home.

Alister, who with son Max is based in Australia, told Knockhill's website: "It's great it's going to run next year.

"The fans will get to watch us, the cars, everybody that's there, and get to meet everybody, so I think it's for the best that we do that and look forward to an even bigger and better event next year."

The postponement of the McRae Rally Challenge comes after it was announced that the Knockhill round of the Bennetts British Superbike Championship, due to be held between July 10-12, had been cancelled.

However, one of the circuit's other major events – the Kwik Fit British Touring Car Championship, featuring Rory Butcher – will run at Knockhill over August 29-30 as part of a revised series calendar.

Some activity at Knockhill was scheduled to resume at the weekend, and they are working on a revised scheduled of events for the remainder of the year.