As well as being a big Formula 1 fan, what some people don’t know is that I also adore the World Rally Championship and rallying in general, which is why I am delighted to bring you a fantastic interview with Nicky Grist, former co-driver to people like Juha Kankkunen and Colin McRae, and probably the most well known co-driver in the business. Nicky now runs a very successful business selling rally equipment through his website, but I was delighted when he agreed do an interview with me via email, which I’m happy to share here with you.
1. How did you get involved in co-driving and rallying in general?
My first ever event was as a spectator on a road rally in 1980. Until that point I had not even thought about motorsport, let alone wanting to compete. After that first experience I watched a few more, and later that year did my first ever event: George Ford Pips Rally as a navigator!!
2. How did it feel to become Champion with Juha Kankkunen in 1993?
The feeling when I joined him for our first event together was in a way a lot more special. Having the opportunity to sit alongside a three time World Champion on the 1993 Rally Argentina was simply awesome. After the first super special stage we were leading! This was the first time I had led a WRC rally, but we did not lose the lead from there to finish!! Simply unbelievable and a rally I will never forget.
Nicky with Juha Kankkunen after winning the 1993 RAC Rally.
3. What was it like to work with Colin McRae and what would be your favourite memory of your partnership?
Interesting! There was never a dull moment for sure. His car control and commitment was unparalleled and it is a shame that the sport does not have someone of the same skill set to entertain the spectators. There are so many favourite moments to be honest, both from competition and socially. Winning the Safari in 1997 (our first win together), but also his last stage thrashing of Carlos Sainz in Corsica of the same year, this was in the rain on a really tricky stage to win the rally. That was wonderful to experience from the co-driver seat.
4. What do you make of the World Rally Championship in it’s current form? Do you believe it is still as good as from your time in competition?
Things have changed so much as the event formats are so compact, there’s centralised servicing, and shorter rallies with only three days of competition. The cars have changed a lot also, nowadays they are so much easier to drive due to the latest technology they have at their disposal, and this makes them so much faster on stage times. Personally I think the Gp “A” days of the early to mid-90’s were the best years of the WRC in my opinion. So many drivers could win a rally at the start, and the cars were more powerful which meant the drivers really had to work hard to get the best out of them.
Nicky with Colin McRae, a fantastic and sometimes comical relationship!
5. Finally, what advice would you give to any co-drivers out there just starting out or trying to get better?
Nowadays there are fewer opportunities for co-drivers. They have to have the talent, and leave no stone unturned in their personal preparations and ability. They would have to be better in other respects, like their fitness, PR ability, and more importantly their personality as they would need to be chatting with drivers and team managers to get an opportunity should a seat become available. It is not easy, but try their very best, work hard compete on a lot of rallies and give it a chance, if they don’t they may regret they didn’t later in life.
Just want to finish by saying a big thank you to Nicky for agreeing to do this and for the fantastic answers he provided. Be sure to check out his website at www.nickygrist.com.
Check out Nicky and Colin in action at the 2001 Wales Rally GB: www.youtube.com/watch?v=1sAbQ5wRr0o
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