Grapevine: Al Qassimi wins Colin's Crest prize
Works Ford driver Khalid Al Qassimi won the Swedish Rally's novel new award for the longest jump achieved at a crest made famous by the late Colin McRae
The crest in the Vargasen stage has been officially renamed Colin's Crest in honour of the 1995 world champion, who lost his life in a helicopter accident last September.
The spectacular flights that McRae achieved over the crest in his heyday have become part of World Rally Championship legend, and the award will be presented annually as a tribute to the Scot.
Al Qassimi was airborne for 36 metres after the crest when the Vargasen stage ran on Saturday afternoon. Privateer driver Peter van Marksteijn achieved the second-best flight, but was 90 centimetres shy of Al Qassimi's effort.
"I am delighted to win the longest jump at Colin's Crest," said Al Qassimi, who received the award during the post-rally presentations today. "To have my name associated with one of the greatest names in motorsport is an honour and I am very proud, both for the team and for Abu Dhabi."
The Swedish Rally was Al Qassimi's first ever taste of competing on snow, but he briefly ran in the top ten on the opening day before falling back after a trip into a snow bank on Saturday morning. He was eventually classified 26th.
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