Paris-Dakar may count McRae out of WRC role

Colin McRae has confirmed he will make his Paris-Dakar Rally debut in January. The 35-year-old former World Rally champion will drive for Nissan on the gruelling three-week event.

"It's something I've always wanted to do," said McRae. "I always enjoyed the safari, especially the old safaris, an event where you could pace yourself. But it's very much a learning year for me."

McRae's decision calls into question whether he will be able to replace Richard Burns in the World Rally Championship next year after his fellow Brit was ruled out on Monday by a brain tumour.

Although the Paris-Dakar ends five days before the new season starts in Monte Carlo, it will be hard for McRae to test for both Subaru and Nissan. Subaru need a replacement for the WRC after the shock news about Burns, who was due to return to the team next season.

McRae, who lost his WRC drive at Citroën following changes to the regulations, will have Tina Thorner, a vastly experienced Swede, as a co-driver for the Paris-Dakar Rally. Thorner has previously co-driven for the four-times winner Ari Vatanen, the 1981 World Rally champion, who will also drive a Nissan on the Paris-Dakar which starts in Auvergne, France, on 1 January.

The 26th staging of the event will be a 6,600-mile test over 17 stages taking in France, Spain, Morocco, Mauritania, Mali, Burkina Faso and Senegal.