When The Time Is Right To Stop

Allan McNish at the 12 Hours of Sebring in 2010.  [Photo by Jack Webster]

By Eddie LePine & Jack Webster

Just saw the newly retired Allan McNish in the paddock at the Rolex 24 at Daytona today and he seems to be enjoying his new role as an ambassador for Audi. Relaxed, and as enthusiastic as ever, Allan seems quite at peace with his decision to retire from driving.

Allan said that retiring from driving was the biggest decision of his life and that this was the right time to stop. Winning the FIA WEC World Championship and Le Mans in 2013 certainly influenced his decision.

Allan announced his retirement from full time participation in motorsport, just as Audi was announcing it’s new Audi R18 e-tron quattro for competition in the 2014 FIA World Endurance Championship.

Allan is that rare driver who has decided to go out on top – still at the top of his game, as quick as ever, as competitive as ever.

He capped off his outstanding career this season with a Driver’s World Championship in the FIA WEC series and his third overall victory at the 24 Hours of Le Mans. American fans (of which he has many), remember him for his 3 American Le Mans Championships and 4 12 Hours of Sebring wins, as well as his vibrant personality and constant enthusiasm for the sport.

We can remain hopeful that we may continue to see Allan compete occasionally in the US – he has done the Rolex 24 at Daytona a number of times and we may see him there again. But the man has proven what he needed to prove, won what he needed to win and stayed on the top rung of the motorsport ladder for quite some time.

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