Colin McRae

Belmit · 15-09-2007, 22:43

I can't quite believe it.

http://www.timesonline.co.uk/tol/spo...cle2461339.ece

Quote:

THE former rally driving champion Colin McRae was killed and his five year-old son feared dead in a helicopter crash yesterday afternoon. The aircraft came down in Jerviswood, Lanarkshire, half a mile from the family's home and burst into flames just after 4pm.
Jean-Eric Freudiger, McRae's agent, said the 39-year-old driver had been piloting the helicopter himself. Also on board were believed to be his son Johnny, another adult and another child. Police said there were no survivors.
McRae's wife Alison and their daughter Hollie, 9, were not on board, friends said.
McRae became Britain's first World Rally champion in 1995. He was one of the country's most successful sportsmen, achieving 25 wins in World Rally events and 42 podium places. He was a flamboyant driver, inspiring one the world's best-selling computer rally games.
The helicopter came down within half a mile of McRae's home, Jervis House, a 16th-century tower house, which has an adjacent helipad. The weather had been overcast, with a light breeze, but visibility was good.
Strathclyde police said the extent of the fire damage was making identification a problem.
McRae's wife, a childhood sweetheart and his former co-driver, was taken back to the house under police escort shortly after 6pm. She looked calm, but neighbours gathering outside the house looked shaken with grief.
McRae's friend the rally journalist Jeremy Hart who flew with the champion several times described him as a "very good, very measured pilot whose natural ability with machinery was second to none". "Colin regularly flew all over the UK and into Europe," said Hart. "He knew the terrain and conditions at Jerviswood very well. It was the place he flew into most regularly.
"As a driver Colin was misunderstood slightly as being reckless but everything you saw with him came from pure raw talent as opposed to being learnt. He was the Michael Schumacher of rally driving.
"It's so ironic that he should die in a helicopter crash when he had competed and had brushed with death so many times as a rally driver."

Such a shame.

leowyatt · 15-09-2007, 22:45

no way!?!?!?!!?

Pebs · 15-09-2007, 22:48

iCraig · 15-09-2007, 22:49

Jesus Christ.

Jasper · 15-09-2007, 22:49

I'm ****ing speechless. Rest in Peace.

My thoughts and best wishes to his family and friends

Justsomebloke · 15-09-2007, 22:51

Absolutely crap news. I have some mates who know the dude personally & have even been on skiing trips with him. From what i have heard he was a Top bloke irl & lots of fun.
R.I.P. Colin & Son & my thoughts are with your family.

Mohinder · 15-09-2007, 23:03

Sad stuff

Tak · 15-09-2007, 23:27

****

Blackstar · 15-09-2007, 23:31

He was a lovely guy, used to run into him in Balerno sometimes.

RIP

Goose · 15-09-2007, 23:32

I've only really followed 3 rally drivers over the years. Colin McRae, Richard Burns and Petter Solberg. I can't believe two of the three are now gone.

15-09-2007, 22:45	#2
leowyatt Chef extraordinaire Join Date: Jul 2006 Location: Infinite Loop Posts: 11,143	no way!?!?!?!!? __________________ "Dr Sheldon Cooper FTW!"

15-09-2007, 22:48	#3
Pebs Easymouth Join Date: Jul 2006 Posts: 6,716	__________________ ...faster you naughty little monkey! Running through hell, heaven can wait!

15-09-2007, 22:49	#4
iCraig iCustom User Title Join Date: Jul 2006 Posts: 2,250	Jesus Christ. __________________

15-09-2007, 22:51	#6
Justsomebloke The Night Worker Join Date: Jul 2006 Posts: 5,228	Absolutely crap news. I have some mates who know the dude personally & have even been on skiing trips with him. From what i have heard he was a Top bloke irl & lots of fun. R.I.P. Colin & Son & my thoughts are with your family. __________________

15-09-2007, 23:03	#7
Mohinder Vodka Martini Join Date: Jun 2006 Posts: 791	Sad stuff __________________

15-09-2007, 22:49	#5
Jasper Simple & Red Join Date: Jul 2006 Posts: 535	I'm ****ing speechless. Rest in Peace. My thoughts and best wishes to his family and friends

15-09-2007, 23:27	#8
Tak L'Oréal Join Date: Jul 2006 Location: Portsmouth Posts: 9,977	**** __________________ The look on your face when a toddler rips out your heart and shows it to you? Priceless.... For everything else, there's FWOOSH!

15-09-2007, 23:31	#9
Blackstar Ambassador of Awesome Join Date: Jul 2006 Location: Edinburger Posts: 3,676	He was a lovely guy, used to run into him in Balerno sometimes. RIP __________________ Jim Garrahy's Fudge Kitchen

15-09-2007, 23:32	#10
Goose The list is long, but distinguished Join Date: Dec 2006 Location: Århus, Denmark Posts: 1,643	I've only really followed 3 rally drivers over the years. Colin McRae, Richard Burns and Petter Solberg. I can't believe two of the three are now gone. __________________