The McRae Gathering - a sponsored two-day drive - raised £53,000 for the Colin McRae Vision charity, which was presented to Colin's father Jimmy McRae at Chester Racecourse, where McRae sealed the 1995 World Rally title, yesterday.


The drive, by 1086 Subaru road cars from McRae's birthplace in Lanark to the former Subaru works team Prodrive's base in Banbury last year, was held to raise money which will be distributed to encourage young Scottish sportsmen and women.


"This is just incredible," said McRae. "I can't believe how much money has been raised. We're going to make sure it all gets put to good use and I can't thank people enough for their generosity."


McRae said that the family had been stunned by the worldwide interest in the McRae Gathering.


"We knew that Colin was popular and had touched a lot of people, but we had not idea it was at this kind of level. I think Colin would have been amazed at this," he said.


But McRae admitted this would be the last of these kind of celebrations of Scotman's life.


"It's been great to see this support and to meet up with friends again, it's been an incredible day, but we can't keep these things going," he said.


"It's the the same with the Colin McRae Forest Stages. Last year, we ran a very special event with world champions coming and an incredible entry, but we can't do that again and we shouldn't try to.


"It was a special, a one-off. Yes, there will be something special again for the event in October, but not like last year."