GOLDEN VALLEY, MN -- Colin McRae, one of the most successful and most popular drivers in rallying's long history, has accepted his invitation to compete at this summer's X Games Rally, a part of ESPN's X Games 12 in Los Angeles, California. McRae will drive a Sobe No Fear Gold Energy Drink Subaru Impreza WRX STI rally car prepared by Vermont SportsCar, the same group that manages Subaru Rally Team USA for Subaru of America, Inc. The legendary World Rally Champion will team up with his long time co-driver Nicky Grist.

The annual X Games is the premier action sports event in the world, featuring athletes from across the globe competing for medals and prize money in sports including BMX Freestyle, Moto X, Skateboard, Surfing and Rally. X Games 12 will be telecast live on ESPN and ABC. Rally racing is the latest sport to be added to the X Games lineup and although final details have not been announced the X Games Rally event is expected to consist of traditional stage rallying and a televised stadium stage in front of thousands of fans.

Colin McRae is widely regarded as one of the best and most popular rally drivers of all time. He was the first driver to reach 25 World Rally Championship victories and in 1995 he became the youngest World Rally Champion ever. His spectacular, full attack driving style is what has made him a fan favorite across the World, and he continues to have a fan and media following that is unmatched by any other rally driver. After competing in over 120 WRC events, McRae has run a limited schedule of rallies over the past two years, opting to try his skills at both the Paris Dakar Rally as well as the Le Mans 24 Hours. No stranger to Subaru, McRae campaigned the World Rally Championship for the Subaru World Rally Team from 1991 through 1998, earning the Drivers' Championship in 1995 and helping Subaru secure the Manufacturers' title for three consecutive years beginning in 1995.

McRae is well known to American fans through the success of his series of Colin McRae Rally video games, produced by Codemasters. The games have been top sellers on multiple gaming platforms in the USA, and have sold millions of units Worldwide. But this marks the first time that rally fans and gamers will be able to see the legendary McRae in person, competing on US soil. Codemasters recently announced that the next Colin McRae Rally game will be released on next-generation systems sometime in 2007.

McRae's Open Class 2006 Subaru Impreza WRX STI rally car will be fully backed by the new Sobe No Fear Gold Energy Drink. Naturally, McRae's rally car will feature the bold gold and black graphics found on the drink's 16 ounce cans. "When we first caught wind that rally was going to be a part of the 2006 Summer X Games, we knew we wanted to be involved," says Eric Johnson, SoBe/No Fear special projects. "Mark Simo, CEO of No Fear and Boris Said, No Fear Racing Nextel Cup driver, have a relationship with Colin McRae and we made contact with him and his management team immediately. Colin was interested in being involved right from the onset. We believe rally has a bright future in the United States and to have one of the sport's elite figures participating in Summer X will be great for both the event and the sport in general."

X Games 12 will be held in Los Angeles, California, August 2nd through 6th.