The Late, Great Colin McRae

A truly memorable week for Scottish sport has ended with the most tragic of events. With the country still on the footballing high it was with great shock that we recieved the news of the suspected death of former World Rally Champion Colin McRae MBE.

 McRae a National hero, was confirmed dead the next morning by family members who said he had indeed been flying the helicopter that crashed a mile from his home close to Lanark in Scotland. And if that wasn't tragic enough, his 5 year old son Johnny was on board along with his best friend Ben Porcelli (6) and a family friend Graeme Duncan.

McRae who hails from a great rallying family (his dad and brother are multiple British Rally Champions) was fearless behind the wheel and worked his way from Scottish Rally Champion to the British Crown and finally McRae was crowned the 95 World Rally Champion at just 27 years old (the youngest ever champion).

His fearless driving was respected by everyone who new him and those of us who watched and loved him. He was an inspiration to millions including one Valentino Rossi who has taken time to pay tribute to one of his true hero's. Others to pay there respects include David Coulthard a winner of 13 F1 Grand Prix and the legendary Jackie Stewart a former F1 World Champion.

McRae went on to finish 2nd three times in the World Rally Championship before leaving the series in 2003. Since then it was with great pride I saw him take part in Le Mans 24 hour and also the Paris-Dakar Rally.

 He in a lot of ways shunned the limelight, choosing for a family life close to where he grew up in Lanark, rural Scotland. His video game Colin McRae Rally sells millions of copies world wide and is updated and re-released year after year.

After his tremendous success in winning the 95 World Championship he was awarded an MBE by the Queen, a fitting honour for a deserving hero.

He was a man of speed who excelled in any racing situation, be it in the Rally cars he loved or the F1 car he tested, he proved he was one of the best, one of the very best!