Derek Ringer ends his partnership with Colin McRae

Rallying

Derek Ringer yesterday announced he is to end his long-time partnership with Colin McRae and bring to an end one of the most successful double acts in world rally driving. Ringer has been co-driver to McRae, the 1995 world champion, for nine years but feels that the time is right for him to move on at the end of this year. The 555 Subaru World Rally team will announce a new partner for McRae in the near future.

The 1994 world champion, Didier Auriol of France, will drive a Mitsubishi in the San Remo Rally next month to boost the Japanese car maker's chances to win the constructors title. Auriol, 38, has been without a car since the International Automobile Federation banned his Toyota team for breaking world championship rules last season.