AS exclusively predicted by Monmouthshire rally great Nicky Grist in the Free Press just two weeks ago, former team mate and one-time rally number one Colin McRae has been dumped on the sidelines by Citron.

The one-time invincible Scot had been touted to make his mark as the greatest ever driver alongside Welshman Grist, but the ice-hardened rally-man's fate was seemingly secured when he ended his partnership with the world's second most successful co-driver ever last year.

"I think Colin could be without a drive next season. He's just not producing the good," predicted the respected Grist earlier this month in the Free Press.

How right he was. Under the new third driver rules, Citron had to choose between dropping McRae and Carlos Sainz next season, and the Scot was ousted in favour of Spain's elder statesman last week.

The Free Press wonders how much McRae might be regretting his split from Grist right now.