Grist reflects on time with McRae

Colin McRae and Nicky Grist won 17 world rallies together

Nicky Grist has spoken ahead of the start of the Wales Rally GB about how the death of former team-mate Colin McRae has affected him.

McRae died in a helicopter crash in September, aged 39, an accident that also claimed his son and two others.

Welshman Grist was McRae's co-driver during the late 1990s and early 2000s as the pair won 17 world rallies.

"It's not until they're gone that you realise how important someone is to you in your life," said Grist.

Interview: Nicky Grist

"Rallying with him were the best times and I'll never replace them."

Although they had an impressive history, the pair never won a World Rally Championship together.

They were on track in 2001 going head-to-head with Richard Burns, but lost out after a spectacular crash in the Rhondda saw them hand victory to the Englishman.

Despite missing out, Grist says he never blamed McRae for the crash: "That was the most disappointing moment in our career.

We had good times and bad times but we ended on a good note Nicky Grist

"At that point it was over - there was no second chance. Sometimes you just don't get the luck and maybe we didn't have the luck to win Championships."

The pair parted professional company in 2002 but remained friends, keeping in regular contact and last drove together 12 months ago.

"I last spoke to him about five weeks before the crash. You always think - did we finish on a good note?

"We had good times and bad times but we ended on a good note and that is the most important thing."

The rally community will use the opening of the Wales Rally GB at the Millennium Stadium on Friday to pay tribute to McRae.

His father Jimmy will be at the event and will drive a car around the course in tribute to his son and grandson - a fitting tribute says Grist.

"No matter how any of us feel, none of us feel the same way as the family because deep down they obviously must be seriously hurting," Grist said.

606: DEBATE Rally chat on 606

"They have lost a son, a husband, a father; so it's fitting that his father is there to drive the car around."

For Grist his overriding feeling when it comes to McRae is one of pride.

"Colin as a driver, for me, was the pinnacle of my career and just being a part of so many great memories - they are the thoughts that will give me comfort in years to come," Grist added.

*Nicky Grist was speaking on BBC Wales' Sport Wales programme.