There's a brand new fully fitted and fully kitted out 'WRC' workshop/factory just been built on Wrexham Industrial Estate.

According to a friend of mine who knows nothing about rallying but works for Wrexham Council - 'Colin Mcrae will be driving for 'them' next year in a Skoda'.

Hmmm Wrexham, the motorsport capital of the UK........ ahem.

Phil (within 30 mins of SWRT, Prodrive, Jordan F1, Renault F1, Silverstone, BAR, Bentley LeMans team, Williams F1, Vauxhall VXR etc.....)

I'm convinced this is the basis of the Prodrive/Red/Skoda/McRae rumour that the Welsh seem to be on about.

This isn't as stupid as it sounds at first.

RED motorsport (clicky) are the owners of the new building on the Wrexham Industrial Estate.

The following is taken from their site:

"The sudden withdawl of RallyTeam Olsbergs from the WRC has left the RED World Rally Team to look ahead to next year. "We are working on a last minute deal for Rally GB at the moment, but nothing is confirmed" said team boss Neil Gatt.

2006 is looking like a very exciting year for the Team "Derek and I have been working on a significant project for next year for a couple of months now, the next 6 weeks are very important" added Gatt.

In November of this year the Team moves to new purpose built premises in Wrexham, taking the Team away from its Widnes base for the first time in its 26 year history. "The new premises are made to measure and represent the next step in the development of RED as a serious player in World Rallying" said Gatt."

Skoda up to now have been staunch pro Czech, to the point there was a near mutiny over the appointment of a German senior engineer a few seasons ago so why could there be a sudden change to a privateer team in the UK?

European engineering is by far dearer and contracting out will push the bill up further, all questionable when the team was desperate for funds when in house managed by Skoda, but consider what would happen with a large sponsorship fee in the pot, something Prodrive will not do and I doubt RED can afford, but mere pocket change to Red Bull (market turnover last year estimated at $1.6 billion with a 55% stake).

Red Bull have already made links with Skoda and pledged millions for motorsport promotion in the next 6 years!.

I had a dream about 18 months ago of alternative sponsors from that of "tuners"...target market such as this and other sites...and you know what, red bull was in that dream. Maybe as I'd just been watching rock crawling in the us...

Wrexham...pretty dam close to some good forests though...where as Phil, silverstone is a bit erm....track focused for rally cars

Shall I arrange a mini bus Andy?

Good reporting thus far, makes for some bleeding great reading thankyou.

Based in Widnes. that about 10 mins from my house/your work Andy.

Funny enough the Subaru garage is down the road from them

Its amazing what your find on your doorstep.

David Richards (WRC rights holder) is keen to see Skoda stay in the championship and McRae to have a drive.

He is flying out to Germany this week to talk to the VW board and is thought to be linked to RED.