Colin McRae

McRae was born in Lanark, Scotland, to Jimmy and Margaret McRae.{{cite news |date=17 September 2017 |title=However bad the collision, hero Colin always walked away |url=https://www.independent.ie/irish-news/however-bad-the-collision-hero-colin-always-walked-away/26318326.html |access-date=20 November 2024 |work=Irish Independent |language=en}} Jimmy McRae was the five-time winner of the British Rally Championship. McRae was the eldest of three brothers; his middle brother, Alister McRae, is also a rally car driver.{{cite news |last=Gillon |first=Doug |title=Late champion McRae is one of four new Scottish inductees |url=https://www.heraldscotland.com/default_content/12372523.late-champion-mcrae-one-four-new-scottish-inductees/ |access-date=12 September 2021 |work=HeraldScotland |agency=Newsquest Media Group |date=4 November 2008 |language=en}}{{cite news |title=Alister McRae: '˜I never stopped thinking about Colin and always will' |url=https://www.scotsman.com/sport/alister-mcrae-i-never-stopped-thinking-about-colin-and-always-will-1439696 |access-date=12 September 2021 |work=The Scotsman |date=15 September 2017 |language=en}}{{cite news |last=Stahl |first=Michael |title=Wheel Stories: Putting family fast |url=https://www.whichcar.com.au/features/wheel-stories-putting-family-fast |access-date=13 September 2021 |work=WhichCar |date=5 January 2019 |language=en}} McRae's maternal uncle Hugh "Shug" Steele was also a former rally driver.{{cite web |title=Hugh 'Shug' Steele - rally profile eWRC-results.com |url=https://www.ewrc-results.com/profile/32499-hugh-shug-steele/ |website=eWRC-results.com |language=en}} He attended Robert Owen Primary School and Lanark Grammar School and studied for a year at Coatbridge College.{{cite news |last=Peacock |first=Anthony |title=Obituary: Colin McRae |url=https://www.theguardian.com/news/2007/sep/17/guardianobituaries.sport |access-date=5 October 2021 |work=the Guardian |date=16 September 2007 |language=en}}{{cite web |title=Drivers - Colin McRae |url=https://www.juwra.com/mcrae_colin.html |website=juwra.com |access-date=5 October 2021}} He worked at Archie's Autos then at his father's plumbing and heating business as a technician.

McRae was married to Alison (née Hamilton), whom he met aged 19 when she acted as his co-driver,{{cite news |last=Holmes |first=Martin |title=Colin McRae |url=https://www.independent.co.uk/news/obituaries/colin-mcrae-402610.html |access-date=13 September 2021 |work=The Independent |date=18 September 2011 |language=en}} and had two children, Hollie and Johnny.{{Cite web |date=2005-11-13 |title=Colin McRae to drive Fabia WRC on Rally GB |url=http://www.skoda-auto.com/global/sport/news/2005_51_colin.htm?importerISO= |access-date=2024-08-05 |archive-date=13 November 2005 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20051113224513/http://www.skoda-auto.com/global/sport/news/2005_51_colin.htm?importerISO= |url-status=dead }} McRae moved to the principality of Monaco in 1995, partly through his friendship with David Coulthard.[http://www.mclaren.com/features/qanda/colin_mcrae.php "Q&A with Colin McRae"], Racing Line {{webarchive |url=https://web.archive.org/web/20060925093029/http://www.mclaren.com/features/qanda/colin_mcrae.php |date=25 September 2006 }} However, as his young family grew up, he spent more time back at his home in Lanarkshire.The Real McRae: The Autobiography of Britain's Most Exciting Rally Driver (200), Colin McRae & Derek Alsopp, Ebury Press, {{ISBN|0-09-188396-2}} The couple bought the 17th-century Jerviswood House.{{cite news |title=Family tribute to McRae and son |url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/scotland/glasgow_and_west/6997270.stm |access-date=13 September 2021 |work=BBC News |agency=BBC |date=16 September 2007}} McRae's nephew, Max McRae, is also a motorsport racer.{{cite news |title=McRae junior targets rally debut |url=https://www.wrc.com/en/news/news-archive/wrc/mcrae-junior-targets-rally-debut/ |access-date=12 September 2021 |work=WRC - World Rally Championship |date=28 December 2019 |language=en}}

In 1996, McRae was appointed a Member of the British Empire for services to motorsports in the Birthday Honours list.{{cite news |title=The Queen's Birthday Honours |work=The Independent |date=15 June 1996}}

McRae began his competitive career in motorsport riding trial bikes at an early age, despite being more interested in four-wheeled machines rather than two-wheel bikes.Evans, p. 6 He became the Scottish schoolboy motocross champion at the age of thirteen. At the age of sixteen, through the Coltness Car Club, McRae found autotesting, obtained a Mini Cooper and started competing. A year later, he began to negotiate with another club member to use a borrowed Hillman Avenger GT{{YouTube |HjG1AxyfM10 |Driving Colin McRae’s forgotten first ever rally car (that led a strange life!)}} for the Kames Stages, a single-venue stage rally not far from McRae's home. McRae finished the event thirteenth; first in his class although he had run most of the event in a higher position.

In 1986, driving a Talbot Sunbeam, McRae entered the Scottish Rally Championship with Ian Grindrod, his father's co-driver, as his co-driver, and soon made a name for himself with his speed and exciting style of driving. His driving style drew many comparisons to Finnish ex-World Rally Champion Ari Vatanen, whom McRae had always idolised.

His first WRC event was the 1987 Swedish Rally in a Vauxhall Nova where he finished 36th overall, and again two years later, driving the Sierra and finishing 15th overall.{{cite web |title=Final results International Swedish Rally 1987 |url=https://www.ewrc-results.com/final/1580-international-swedish-rally-1987/ |website=eWRC-results.com |access-date=15 September 2021 |language=en}}{{cite news |last=Low |first=David |title=BBC - A Sporting Nation - Colin McRae's first World Rally title 1995 |url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/scotland/sportscotland/asportingnation/article/0053/print.shtml |access-date=15 September 2021 |work=bbc.co.uk |agency=BBC}} In 1988 he took the Scottish Rally Championship series crown in his Vauxhall Nova. His next car was a Ford Sierra XR 4x4. In 1989, he finished fifth overall at Rally New Zealand in a rear-wheel-drive Sierra Cosworth.{{cite web |title=Final results Rothmans Rally of New Zealand 1989 |url=https://www.ewrc-results.com/final/8616-rothmans-rally-of-new-zealand-1989/ |website=eWRC-results.com |access-date=15 September 2021 |language=en}} In 1990 McRae achieved sixth place in that year's RAC Rally, despite several accidents.{{cite web |title=Final results Lombard RAC Rally 1990 |url=https://www.ewrc-results.com/final/6439-lombard-rac-rally-1990/ |website=eWRC-results.com |access-date=15 September 2021 |language=en}} In 1991, McRae turned professional as he was signed by Prodrive boss David Richards to his Subaru team in the British Rally Championship for an annual wage of approximately £10,000.{{cite video |title=Colin McRae Rally Legend |date=17 December 2007 |medium=DVD |publisher=Duke Video |location=Douglas, Isle of Man |people=Cross, Mark (director)}} McRae was British Rally Champion in both 1991 and 1992, soon graduating to the Subaru factory team at World Rally Championship level.{{cite web |url=http://driveperformance.subaru.com/version1_2/origins.asp |title=Subaru in International Rallying 1990–1992 Years of Legacy |access-date=16 September 2021 |work=Drive Performance Magazine |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20080724083958/http://www.driveperformance.subaru.com/version1_2/origins.asp |archive-date=24 July 2008 }}{{cite web |url=http://www.crash.net/motorsport/wrc/news/158086-0/ex-mcrae_car_to_go_under_the_hammer.html |title=Ex-McRae car to go under the hammer. |date=12 December 2007 |access-date=15 December 2007 |publisher=crash.net }} In 1992, McRae made his debut in the British Touring Car Championship, with a one-off appearance for the Prodrive-run BMW factory team at the Knockhill round, where he collided with Matt Neal. Race officials found McRae to have caused an avoidable collision and subsequently disqualified him.{{cite news |last=Kennouche |first=Sofiane |title=The life of Scots rally superstar Colin McRae |url=https://www.scotsman.com/arts-and-culture/life-scots-rally-superstar-colin-mcrae-1486806 |access-date=15 September 2021 |work=scotsman.com |date=17 December 2015 |language=en}}

{{see also|Subaru World Rally Team}}

File:Flickr - bjmullan - Colin McRae's 1995 World Championship winning Subaru Impreza (2).jpg which he drove to win the 1995 World Rally Championship]]

On his promotion for 1993, McRae initially drove the Prodrive-built Group A Subaru Legacy alongside Finns Ari Vatanen, Hannu Mikkola and Markku Alén. McRae then won his first WRC rally in the car at that year's Rally New Zealand. It was also the first rally win for the newly formed Subaru World Rally Team, shortly before the Legacy was due to be pensioned off in favour of the new Subaru Impreza 555. Such were the rising fortunes of his young Subaru factory team as they competed against the frontrunning Toyota-powered Team TTE, who were excluded from the championship after the 1995 Rally Catalunya due to the use of an illegal air restrictor. It took only until 1995 for McRae to win the driver's title, which he secured with a victory in a straight contest with his double champion teammate, Carlos Sainz, on the season-ending Rally of Great Britain. Although still a winner with the outfit in individual rallies in succeeding years, including, increasingly, more specialised events such as the Acropolis Rally, Safari Rally and the Tour de Corse, McRae could not better second place in the standings in either 1996 or 1997, on both occasions behind Finland and Mitsubishi Ralliart's Tommi Mäkinen. He helped Subaru complete their run of three consecutive manufacturers' titles during this time. In what would turn out to be his final season with the team, in 1998 he won three more rallies and placed third in the standings, as well as winning the Race of Champions in Gran Canaria, the Canary Islands.

{{see also|Ford World Rally Team}}

File:Cm2 ford.jpg at the 2001 Rally Finland]]

After several years of varying success, McRae switched to the M-Sport-run Ford factory team for 1999, driving the new Ford Focus rally car. The deal saw McRae earning six million pounds over two years, which at the time made him the highest-earning rally driver in history.{{cite news |title=McRae: Six-million pound speed machine |url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/motorsport/1011908.stm |publisher=BBC Sport|date=14 November 2000 | access-date=2 January 2010}} He immediately had two consecutive wins at the Safari Rally and Rally Portugal. The new car had many shunts and reliability issues for much of the rest of that season, however, which resulted in only sixth place in the championship standings overall. Moreover, a rare personal pointless run had begun for McRae that year which only stopped with a podium on the following February's Swedish Rally. McRae went on to be victorious on the asphalt turns of Catalunya and the gravel of Greece, and post 4th in the 2000 overall standings. Midway through the 2000 season, the lacking reliability of the Focus led to McRae threatening to leave the team if the problems continued.{{Cite web|title=BBC News {{!}} MOTORSPORT {{!}} McRae issues Ford ultimatum|url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/sport/motorsport/696016.stm|access-date=2021-09-15|website=news.bbc.co.uk}} The upturn towards the end of the season resulted in him deciding to renew his contract with Ford for a further two years.{{Cite web|title=BBC SPORT {{!}} MOTORSPORT {{!}} McRae sticks with Ford|url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport2/hi/motorsport/866513.stm|access-date=2021-09-15|website=news.bbc.co.uk}}

McRae's intermittent success with Ford continued into 2001, where after failing to score in any of the first four rounds, including having momentarily led defending winner Tommi Mäkinen on the stages of the season-opening Monte Carlo Rally before being forced into retirement, he then went on to score three consecutive victories in Argentina, Cyprus and Greece to tie with Mäkinen at the top of the points table. However, having again led the championship outright entering the final round in Great Britain, McRae once more missed out on a possible second title, crashing out and finishing second in the driver's championship, two points behind Subaru's Richard Burns.

With victory in the Safari Rally in 2002, McRae made the record books as the driver with most event wins in the World Rally Championship. His record was broken by Carlos Sainz. McRae's contract with Ford came to an end following the 2002 season, and after reportedly asking for wages of five million pounds a year, Ford decided against renewing the contract, reluctant to commit such a high amount of their budget to a driver's salary. The two parties split into amicable terms, with Ford's European director of motorsport Martin Whitaker stating "On behalf of all of us at Ford Motor Company I would like to publicly thank Colin and Nicky for their efforts during the past four years with the Ford team. I wish them both well in the future."{{cite news |date=26 September 2002 |title=Ford cannot afford McRae |url=https://www.theguardian.com/sport/2002/sep/26/motorracing |access-date=20 November 2024 |work=The Guardian |location=London}} McRae said of his time with Ford "It's been a very successful four years, we've achieved a lot of very good results and I'm quite happy that myself and Ford have had a very successful partnership."{{cite news |title=McRae bids Ford farewell |publisher=BBC Sport|url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/motorsport/world_rally/2445471.stm |date=12 November 2002 | access-date=2 January 2010 | first=James | last=Standley}}

{{see also|Citroën World Rally Team}}

File:2003 Acropolis Rally 14.jpg at the 2003 Rally Acropolis]]

For 2003, McRae signed for Citroën, a team of winning pedigree due to its successes of the previous year with young Frenchman Sébastien Loeb but otherwise undertaking its first complete campaign at World Rally Championship level. McRae's second-place finish on his début in Monte Carlo alongside Loeb and Carlos Sainz whom, aboard the Xsara WRC, helped complete a 1–2–3 finish, the finest result he would achieve for the team, as he ended the season in seventh in the drivers' championship, with no victories. Rule changes are brought in for the 2004 season changing the previous practice of having three nominated points-scorers within a team to two. With Loeb partway through a multiple-year contract, this meant the Citroën factory team, under Guy Fréquelin's leadership, was forced to choose between dropping McRae or Sainz. With Sainz being the more successful of the two during the 2003 season, McRae had to look elsewhere for 2004.{{Cite news |date=2003-09-12 |title=Uncertain future for McRae |url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport2/hi/motorsport/world_rally/3082884.stm |access-date=2021-09-15 |work=BBC News |language=en-GB}} David Richards, McRae's former boss at Subaru, who had by now taken over WRC's commercial rights holders ISC and worried that the loss of a character like McRae would damage his ability to market the sport, set about trying to help McRae find a drive for 2004.{{Cite news |date=2003-09-15 |title=Rally supremo vows to help McRae |url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport2/hi/motorsport/world_rally/3110604.stm |access-date=2021-09-15 |work=BBC News |language=en-GB}} McRae was unable to find a team, and for the first time in over ten years he would not be competing in the World Rally Championship.

File:Colin McRae.jpg on the Millennium Stadium, Cardiff super special stage of the 2005 Rally GB]]

McRae also competed in racing series other than the World Rally Championship. In September 2002 he took part in an ASCAR Racing Series event at the Rockingham Motor Speedway, Northamptonshire,{{cite news |title=McRae to race ASCAR at Rockingham |url=https://www.autosport.com/wrc/news/mcrae-to-race-ascar-at-rockingham-5037641/5037641/ |access-date=12 September 2021 |work=autosport.com |date=9 September 2002 |language=en}} finishing in sixth place.{{cite web |title=2002 ASCAR Championship |url=http://www.dlg.speedfreaks.org/archive/2002/ascar.html |website=dlg.speedfreaks.org |access-date=14 September 2021}}

McRae rejoined Prodrive for the 2004 24 Hours of Le Mans where he took third place in the GTS class, and ninth position overall in a Ferrari 550-GTS Maranello partnering Darren Turner and Rickard Rydell. Le Mans winner Allan McNish commented that "Colin has adapted far better than people expected" to endurance sportscar racing.{{cite news |last=Allsop |first=Derick |date=12 June 2004 |title=McRae's attitude impresses rivals |url=https://www.independent.co.uk/sport/motor-racing/mcrae-s-attitude-impresses-rivals-731872.html |access-date=20 November 2024 |work=The Independent |location=London}}{{cite news |last=Riom |first=Pierre-Yves |date=23 April 2014 |others=Translated by Nikki Ehrhardt |title=Ten years ago, Colin McRae participated at the 24 Hours of Le Mans |url=https://www.24h-lemans.com/en/news/ten-years-ago-colin-mcrae-participated-at-the-24-hours-of-le-mans-14819 |access-date=14 September 2021 |work=24h-lemans.com |language=en}}

File:Ferrari 550-GTS McRae.jpg driven by McRae at the 2004 24 Hours of Le Mans]]

McRae made his debut on the Dakar Rally with Nissan in January 2004, and scored two stage wins.{{cite news |title=McRae claims Dakar stage win |url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/motorsport/3397221.stm |access-date=14 September 2021 |work=BBC Sport |agency=BBC |date=14 January 2004}}{{cite news |title=Peterhansel wins Dakar Rally |url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/motorsport/3407341.stm |access-date=14 September 2021 |work=BBC Sport |agency=BBC |date=18 January 2004}} He returned to the Dakar in 2005 and was fastest on two of the first three stages in Morocco, before crashing out of the rally towards the end of stage six.{{cite news |title=McRae crashes out of Dakar Rally |url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/motorsport/4149621.stm |access-date=14 September 2021 |work=BBC Sport |agency=BBC |date=5 January 2005}}

In 2004 and 2005, McRae represented Great Britain in the Race of Champions Nations Cup alongside Formula One driver and fellow Scot, David Coulthard.{{cite news |title=Stars line up for The Race of Champions |url=https://www.racecar.com/News/8066/motorsport/stars-line-up-for-the-race-of-champions |access-date=14 September 2021 |work=racecar.com |date=30 September 2020 |language=en}}{{cite news |title=Race of Champions 2005 |url=https://www.eurosport.com/motorsports/race-of-champions/2005/race-of-champions-2005_sto780490/story.shtml |access-date=14 September 2021 |work=eurosport.com |date=21 October 2005}} For the 2006 event England and Scotland entered separate teams with McRae and Coulthard re-uniting to represent Scotland.{{cite news |title=2006 Race of Champions – Nations Cup |url=https://www.racecar.com/News/15040/motorsport/2006-race-of-champions-nations-cup |access-date=14 September 2021 |work=racecar.com |date=19 September 2006 |language=en}}

In 2005, McRae competed in the Baja 500 Portalegre, winning the competition.{{cite news |title=Colin McRae e Subaru, dois em um! {{!}} AutoSport - AutoSport |url=https://www.autosport.pt/ralis/wrc/colin-mcrae-e-subaru-dois-em-um/ |access-date=14 September 2021 |work=autosport.pt |language=pt-PT}}

McRae then returned to the series for one-off drives for Škoda on the 2005 Rally GB and Rally Australia, respectively finishing seventh and retiring due to a clutch problem on the final leg of the rally, the latter ending prospects of Škoda's best finish.{{cite news |date=10 November 2016 |title=From the Archives: Colin McRae's legendary performance at the Rally Australia 2005 |url=https://www.skoda-motorsport.com/en/from-the-archives-colin-mcraes-legendary-performance-at-the-rally-australia-2005/ |access-date=18 September 2021 |work=Škoda Motorsport}}

On 5 August 2006, McRae competed for Subaru in the first live televised American rally in Los Angeles as part of the X-Games. McRae rolled the car on the penultimate corner after landing awkwardly from a jump, which damaged the front bumper and left front tyre. Despite this, McRae kept the car running and continued on to the finish, his time only 0.13 seconds slower than eventual winner Travis Pastrana.{{cite news |title='He is up there with Senna' - remembering McRae's WRC title 25 years on |url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/motorsport/50828276 |access-date=14 September 2021 |work=BBC Sport |agency=BBC |date=28 November 2020}}{{cite web |title=Final results X Games 12 Rally 2006 |url=https://www.ewrc-results.com/final/18829-x-games-12-rally-2006/?ct=596 |website=eWRC-results.com |access-date=14 September 2021 |language=en}} He was unexpectedly entered for his final rally by semi-works Kronos Citroën at Rally Turkey in September, where he replaced Sébastien Loeb while the Frenchman recovered from an injury he sustained in a cycling accident immediately prior to the event.{{cite news|url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/motorsport/world_rally/5404040.stm|title= McRae steps in for injured Loeb|work=BBC News|date=4 October 2006|access-date=16 September 2007}} A final-stage alternator problem led to him retiring from seventh place. He was subsequently dropped by Citroën for the upcoming Rally Australia and replaced by Xavier Pons.{{cite news |last=Peacock |first=Anthony |title=Rallying: Citroen drop McRae after flopping in Turkey |url=https://www.theguardian.com/sport/2006/oct/19/motorracing.sport |access-date=14 September 2021 |work=the Guardian |date=19 October 2006 |language=en}}

{{Infobox Le Mans driver

|Years = {{24hLM|2004}}

|Teams = Prodrive Racing

|Best Finish = 9th overall, 3rd in class ({{24hLM|2004}})

|Class Wins = 0

}}

In August 2007, McRae said he was still hoping to find a seat for the 2008 WRC season, but said that "if it doesn't happen next year, then I won't (return) because you can only be out of something at that level for so long."{{cite news | url=http://www.autosport.com/news/report.php/id/61320 | title=McRae aiming to return to WRC in '08 | work=Autosport | access-date=17 September 2007 | date=3 August 2007}} In 2007, talking to Autosport podcast, David Richards confirmed that he and McRae had talked about McRae's comeback to Subaru for season 2008. Robert Reid was contacted by McRae to be his co-driver and the pair were due to test together, but McRae died before the test could take place.{{cite web |date=14 September 2017 |title=Colin McRae: 10 years on |url=https://audioboom.com/posts/7849742-colin-mcrae-10-years-on |access-date=2 November 2021 |website=Audioboom |language=en}}{{cite news |last=Benyon |first=Jack |date=13 September 2017 |title=McRae could have rejoined Subaru for 2008 |url=https://www.pressreader.com/uk/motorsport-news/20170913/281921658225641 |access-date=22 September 2021 |work=Motorsport News}}

{{Infobox aircraft occurrence

| occurrence_type = Accident

| name = 2007 Lanark helicopter crash

| image =

| caption =

| date = 15 September 2007

| summary = Pilot error

| site = Lanark, Scotland, United Kingdom

| aircraft_type = Eurocopter AS350B2 Squirrel

| operator =

| tail_number = G-CBHL

| occupants = 4

| fatalities = 4

| survivors = 0

}}

McRae died on 15 September 2007 whilst piloting his private helicopter, a Eurocopter AS350B2 Squirrel,{{cite web |title=Eurocopter AS350B2 Squirrel, G-CBHL, 15 September 2007 |url=https://www.gov.uk/aaib-reports/eurocopter-as350b2-squirrel-g-cbhl-15-september-2007 |website=GOV.UK |access-date=19 September 2021 |language=en}}{{cite news |last=Oreovicz |first=John |date=18 September 2007 |title=Oreovicz: Death of McRae hits Franchitti hard |url=https://www.espn.co.uk/racing/columns/story?columnist=oreovicz_john&id=3025925 |access-date=22 September 2021 |work=ESPN.com |language=en}} which crashed {{convert|1|mi|spell=in}} north of Lanark, Scotland, close to the McRae family home. He was not licensed to fly the aircraft.{{cite news |last1=Rose |first1=Gareth |last2=Watson |first2=Jeremy |name-list-style=and |date=16 September 2007 |title=Rally ace Colin McRae dies in helicopter crash |url=http://scotlandonsunday.scotsman.com/latestnews/Rally-ace-Colin-McRae-dies.3327560.jp |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20081230044819/http://scotlandonsunday.scotsman.com/latestnews/Rally-ace-Colin-McRae-dies.3327560.jp |archive-date=30 December 2008 |access-date=15 September 2021 |work=Scotland on Sunday}}{{cite news | url=http://sport.scotsman.com/rallying/Perfect-pilot-McRae-not-to.3328036.jp | title = 'Perfect pilot' McRae not to blame for crash, says father | work = The Scotsman | access-date=19 September 2007 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20081230053452/http://sport.scotsman.com/rallying/Perfect-pilot-McRae-not-to.3328036.jp |archive-date=30 December 2008}} McRae's five-year-old son Johnny, and two family friends, Graeme Duncan and Johnny's six-year-old friend Ben Porcelli, also died in the crash. McRae did not have permission to take Porcelli on the helicopter.{{cite news | url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/uk_news/scotland/glasgow_and_west/6997270.stm | title = Two children on McRae helicopter | publisher = BBC | access-date=16 September 2007 | date=16 September 2007}}{{cite news | url=http://breakingnews.iol.ie/sport/?jp=mhcwidaugbsn | title=McRae and children die in helicopter crash | publisher=Ireland On-Line | access-date=16 September 2007 | archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20081230044607/http://breakingnews.iol.ie/sport/?jp=mhcwidaugbsn | archive-date=30 December 2008 | url-status=dead}} McRae's previously active website, ColinMcRae.com, was later replaced with a memorial screen stating a few details about the crash, and then with a short statement released on behalf of McRae's father, Jimmy,{{Cite web | url=http://www.colinmcrae.com | title=Colin McRae MBE 1968–2007 | access-date=16 September 2007 | archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190211043156/http://www.colinmcrae.com/ | archive-date=11 February 2019 | url-status=dead }} and later a book of condolences.

The funeral for Colin and Johnny took place on 26 September at Daldowie Crematorium near Glasgow, conducted by the Rev Tom Houston, who had married the McRaes, and the Rev Steven Reid, chaplain at Johnny's school. An address was given by Robbie Head, a former rally driver and commentator who was a close friend of McRae's, with the Rev Houston giving the benediction. McRae's niece and nephews performed the tune Highland Cathedral, a popular funeral song. The song "(Sittin' On) The Dock of the Bay" by Otis Redding, a favourite song of McRae's, was played when the family entered the chapel. The Proclaimers' song "I'm on My Way" was played when they left. Colin and Johnny McRae were cremated in the same coffin. Among the attendees at the funeral were fellow Scottish racing drivers Jackie Stewart and Dario Franchitti.{{cite news |first=Victoria |last=Mitchell |title=Tragic McRae and son share a single coffin |url=https://www.scotsman.com/news/tragic-mcrae-and-son-share-single-coffin-2507382|archive-url= https://archive.today/20120712145052/http://news.scotsman.com/scotland.cfm?id=1542802007|url-status= dead|archive-date= 12 July 2012|work=The Scotsman |date=27 September 2007 |access-date=27 September 2007 |location=Edinburgh}}

A "Celebration of Life" service took place at St Nicholas Church in Lanark on Sunday 30 September at 4 p.m. Images from McRae's career and personal life were displayed on large video screens outside the church. Around 700 mourners filled the church, with crowds of up to 15,000 outside. Shortly before 4 p.m., Martin Hewins, McRae's personal bagpiper for many years, played "Flower of Scotland" as the family arrived at the church. The service was conducted by the Rev Alison Meikle, who said "Two weeks ago Lanark was struck by silence. A terrible silence bought at an enormous price. However, in our tears love is stronger than death." Later, the Kenny Rogers and Dolly Parton song "Islands in the Stream", a favourite of Johnny's, was played. Friends of the pair shared poems and anecdotes from the McRaes' lives. After the service, Colin McRae's widow, brother and father bowed and applauded the crowds who had gathered outside to pay tribute to the McRaes.{{cite news |first=Malcolm |last=Law |title=Thousands line the streets in tribute to a local hero |url=https://www.scotsman.com/news/thousands-line-streets-tribute-local-hero-2479578|work=The Scotsman |date=1 October 2007 |access-date=1 October 2007 }}

File:Colin McRae tribute - 2007 Race of Champions.jpg]]

The announcement of McRae's death took place during qualifying for the 2007 Belgian Grand Prix with ITV commentator James Allen informing viewers of the news. Formula One driver David Coulthard, a friend of McRae, who was due to represent Scotland along with him in the Race of Champions at Wembley Stadium on 16 December,{{cite news |title= David Coulthard leads tributes to 'fearless' Colin McRae |url=http://www.timesonline.co.uk/tol/sport/more_sport/article2466755.ece |work=The Times |date=16 September 2007 |access-date=26 September 2007 | location=London |archive-url=https://archive.today/20081202100800/http://www.timesonline.co.uk/tol/sport/more_sport/article2466755.ece |archive-date=2 December 2008}} described him as "an understated yet fantastically talented individual", and announced that he would race the 2007 Japanese Grand Prix with a helmet livery similar to McRae's as a tribute.{{cite news | url=http://www.autosport.com/news/grapevine.php/id/62691 | title=Coulthard to pay homage to McRae | publisher=Autosport Official Website | access-date=25 September 2007 | date=24 September 2007 |archive-url=https://archive.today/20130430172222/http://www.autosport.com/news/grapevine.php/id/62691 |archive-date=30 April 2013}} During the finale of the 2007 Scottish Rally Championship, the "Colin McRae Forest Stages" held in Perth in September 2007,{{cite news |date=23 September 2007 |title=Final rally will pay tribute to McRae |url=http://sport.scotsman.com/rallying/Final-rally-will-pay-tribute.3329702.jp |archive-url=https://archive.today/20130201224748/http://www.scotsman.com/sport/motorsport/final-rally-will-pay-tribute-to-mcrae-1-1423494 |archive-date=1 February 2013 |access-date=25 September 2007 |work=Scotland on Sunday}} there was no number-1 car, as McRae had been due to drive the course car on the event. Instead, his car was parked at the starting point of the rally, where fans were able to sign a book of condolences.{{cite news|url=http://scotlandonsunday.scotsman.com/scotland.cfm?id=1560372007|title=Rally tribute to McRae|work=Scotland on Sunday|access-date=30 September 2007|date=30 September 2007|last=MacLeod|first=Murdo|url-status=dead|archive-url=https://archive.today/20120719105601/http://scotlandonsunday.scotsman.com/scotland.cfm?id=1560372007|archive-date=19 July 2012}}

Following his win at the Brands Hatch meeting of the 2007 World Touring Car Championship season, Andy Priaulx dedicated it to McRae, commenting that his death "shows how fragile life can be".{{cite news |title=Priaulx dedicates win to McRae |url=https://www.irishexaminer.com/sport/arid-30329271.html |access-date=12 September 2021 |work=Irish Examiner |date=24 September 2007 |language=en}} McRae's former rival, four-time World Rally Champion Tommi Mäkinen commented the helicopter accident as terrifying news, and described McRae as "a pleasant fellow and a tough rival".{{cite news | url=http://www.iltasanomat.fi/ralli/Tommi%20M%C3%A4kinen%20Kauhistuttava%20uutinen/art-1288338415376.html | title=Tommi Mäkinen: Kauhistuttava uutinen | publisher=Ilta-Sanomat Website | access-date=17 February 2011|language=fi |archive-url=https://archive.today/20130213153208/http://www.iltasanomat.fi/ralli/art-1288338415376.html |archive-date=13 February 2013}} Valentino Rossi, who was taught the basics of driving a rally car by McRae, said he was shocked and saddened by McRae's death. He dedicated his win at the 2007 Portuguese motorcycle Grand Prix to McRae, saying "I want to dedicate this to Colin McRae. He was one of my big idols when I was very young, and it's because of him I have a big passion for rally".{{cite news | url=http://www.motorcyclenews.com/MCN/sport/sportresults/mcn/2007/september/sep10-16/sep1607estorilmotogp/ | title=Estoril MotoGP: Valentino Rossi pays tribute to rally legend Colin McRae | publisher=Motorcycle News Website | access-date=27 September 2007}}

After the crash, an investigative team from the Air Accidents Investigation Branch attended the scene in cooperation with Strathclyde Police. The wreckage of the helicopter was removed to Farnborough for further forensic investigation. A report into the accident was published on 12 February 2009. In it, the AAIB did not reach a definite conclusion as to the cause of the accident, stating instead that "the helicopter crashed in a wooded valley while manoeuvering at high speed and low height. It was intact before impact, and the available evidence indicated that the engine was delivering power. The cause of the accident was not positively determined. Although no technical reason was found to explain the accident, a technical fault could not be ruled out entirely. However, it is more likely that the pilot attempted a turning manoeuvre at a low height, during which the helicopter deviated from its intended flight path; whether due to the pilot encountering handling difficulties, misjudgement, spatial disorientation, distraction or a combination of such events. There were indications that the pilot had started recovery but, with insufficient height in which to complete it, the helicopter struck trees in the valley and crashed, killing all four occupants."{{cite web | url=http://www.aaib.gov.uk/publications/bulletins/february_2009/eurocopter_as350b2_squirrel__g_cbhl.cfm | title=Eurocopter AS350B2 Squirrel, G-CBHL | publisher=Air Accidents Investigation Branch}} The parents of Ben Porcelli had not given McRae permission to take their son in the helicopter.{{cite news |date=6 September 2011 |title=Colin McRae blamed for fatal helicopter crash |url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-scotland-glasgow-west-14803595 |access-date=12 September 2021 |work=BBC News |agency=BBC}}

A fatal accident inquiry into the incident concluded, on 6 September 2011, that McRae was at fault for the avoidable helicopter crash that led to his death and the death of his passengers.{{cite web |last=Bowman |first=Zach |date=6 September 2011 |title=Colin McRae found at fault in his own fatal helicopter crash |url=https://www.autoblog.com/news/colin-mcrae-found-at-fault-in-his-own-fatal-helicopter-crash |access-date=20 November 2024 |publisher=Autoblog}} Sheriff Nikola Stewart stated, after the 16-day inquiry, that McRae had been engaged in "unnecessary and unsafe" low-level flying at the time of the crash, and that as a private pilot McRae was unqualified and untrained to fly at such a level.{{cite news | url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-scotland-glasgow-west-14803595 | date=6 September 2011 |access-date=6 September 2011 | title=Colin McRae helicopter crash was avoidable, FAI says | work=BBC News}}{{cite web | url=http://www.scotland-judiciary.org.uk/10/798/Fatal-Accident-Inquiry-into-the-deaths-of-Colin-McRae--Graeme-Duncan--Ben-Porcelli-and-John-McRae | date=6 September 2011 | access-date=6 September 2011 | title=Fatal Accident Inquiry into the deaths of Colin McRae, Graeme Duncan, Ben Porcelli and John McRae | publisher=Judiciary of Scotland | archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150722024033/http://www.scotland-judiciary.org.uk/10/798/Fatal-Accident-Inquiry-into-the-deaths-of-Colin-McRae--Graeme-Duncan--Ben-Porcelli-and-John-McRae | archive-date=22 July 2015 }} McRae's flying licence was also found to have expired in 2005, and his "valid type rating" for the helicopter had expired in March 2007.{{cite news |last=Williams |first=Rachel |title=Former world rally champion Colin McRae did not have valid pilot licence at time of fatal helicopter crash |url=https://www.theguardian.com/uk/2009/feb/12/mcrae-crash-licence-pilot |access-date=12 September 2021 |work=the Guardian |date=12 February 2009 |language=en}}

In memory of McRae, the Swedish Rally organisers set up an award for the longest jump over a crest on the Vargåsen stage of the rally. The inaugural winner of the award, named Colin's Crest, was Ford's United Arab Emirates driver Khalid al-Qassimi, who recorded a distance of 30 m.{{cite news | url=http://www.autosport.com/news/grapevine.php/id/65071 | title=Al Qassimi wins Colin's Crest prize | last= Beer | first= Matt | publisher=Autosport Official Website | access-date=27 September 2007 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170202215344/https://www.autosport.com/news/grapevine.php/id/65071 |archive-date=2 February 2017}}

File:Jimmy McRae - 2008 Colin McRae Forest Stages Rally.jpg, driving a Porsche 911 at the 2008 Colin McRae Forest Stages]]

On 27 September 2008, the Colin McRae Forest Stages Rally took place in Perth, Scotland. An enhanced entry list of several former big-name rally drivers took part in McRae's memory.{{cite web |website=Coltness Club |title=McRae Stages Rally |url=http://www.coltnesscarclub.co.uk/rally%20page.html |date=23 September 2008 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20080920130534/http://www.coltnesscarclub.co.uk/rally%20page.html |archive-date=20 September 2008 }} The entry list included ex-World Championship drivers Hannu Mikkola, Ari Vatanen (partnered by his 1981 WRC winning co-driver David Richards), Björn Waldegård, Malcolm Wilson, Russell Brookes, Jimmy McRae, Andrew Cowan and Louise Aitken-Walker, many competing in their original cars. A handful of current WRC drivers also took part including Matthew Wilson, Kris Meeke and Travis Pastrana.{{cite web |title=Colin McRae Forest Stages Rally 2008 |url=https://motorsport.tv/duke-classic-videos/video/colin-mcrae-forest-stages-rally-2008/24012 |website=Motorsport.tv |access-date=22 September 2021 |language=en}} The outright winner was Stobart VK M-Sport Ford Rally Team driver Matthew Wilson in a Ford Focus WRC.{{cite web |title=Stage results Colin McRae Forest Stages 2008 |url=https://www.ewrc-results.com/results/3664-colin-mcrae-forest-stages-2008/ |website=eWRC-results.com |access-date=22 September 2021 |language=en}} McRae's brother Alister McRae won the classic category.

In November 2008 McRae was posthumously inducted into the Scottish Sports Hall of Fame.

In 2015, 20 years from when McRae won the 1995 WRC Championship, an exhibition of memorabilia, including cars, was displayed at a service park at 2015 Rally GB.{{cite news |last=McGill |first=Jim |title=20 years on . . . the day Colin McRae drove to the top of the world |url=https://www.heraldscotland.com/sport/14028711.colin-mcrae-wrc-title-marked-20-years-wales-rally-gb/ |access-date=29 October 2021 |work=HeraldScotland |agency=Newsquest Media Group |date=13 November 2015 |language=en}}

In November 2020, a documentary celebrating the 25th anniversary of McRae's WRC win was released.{{cite news |last=Blair |first=Giles |title=TV show pays tribute to Colin McRae's WRC victory 25 years ago |url=https://www.dailyrecord.co.uk/lifestyle/motoring/tv-show-pays-tribute-colin-23037296 |access-date=18 October 2021 |work=Daily Record |date=19 November 2020 |language=en}}{{cite news |last=Craig |first=Jason |title=Colin McRae WRC documentary to be released |url=https://uk.motor1.com/news/455033/colin-mcrae-wrc-documentary-to-be-released/ |access-date=18 October 2021 |work=Motor1.com |date=18 November 2020 |language=en-gb}}

Kenyan race car driver McRae Kimathi is named after him.{{Cite web |last=Lindsay |first=Alasdair |date=2022-02-23 |title=How McRae Kimathi is already living up to his famous name |url=https://dirtfish.com/rally/wrc/how-mcrae-kimahti-is-already-living-up-to-his-famous-name/ |access-date=2023-07-05 |website=DirtFish |language=en-US}}

{{main|Colin McRae Rally and Dirt}}

Codemasters released the first Colin McRae Rally video game in 1998. Version 2, known as Colin McRae Rally 2.0, was released in 2000, for Sony's PlayStation and Microsoft Windows; it was also ported to the Game Boy Advance in 2002. A third version found a wide audience on Windows and Xbox. Versions 04 and 2005 arrived in 2004 on all major platforms. 2005 was also remade for Sony's PlayStation Portable and Nokia's N-Gage.

Colin McRae: Dirt was the title for the next instalment of the series, which launched in 2007 for Microsoft Windows, PlayStation 3 and Xbox 360. The PlayStation 3 edition was released in the UK on 14 September, the day before McRae's death.{{cite web|url=http://uk.gamespot.com/ps3/driving/cmr07/similar.html?mode=versions&om_act=convert&om_clk=tabs&tag=headerimage;more|title=DiRT UK Release Date|publisher=GameSpot|date=14 September 2007|access-date=16 September 2007|url-status=dead|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20070930011656/http://uk.gamespot.com/ps3/driving/cmr07/similar.html?mode=versions&om_act=convert&om_clk=tabs&tag=headerimage%3Bmore|archive-date=30 September 2007}} An adaptation of the game for mobile phones was released by Codemasters Mobile.

Colin McRae: Dirt 2 was released on the Wii on 8 September 2009, it released on PlayStation 3, and Xbox 360 on 11 September 2009, the PC version was released on 8 December 2009. This was the last mainline game in the series to bear the 'Colin McRae' moniker.{{cite news |last=Yin-Poole |first=Wesley |title=Why DiRT 3 dropped Colin McRae's name |url=https://www.eurogamer.net/articles/2011-02-15-why-dirt-3-dropped-colin-mcraes-name |access-date=18 October 2021 |work=Eurogamer |date=15 February 2011 |language=en}}

On 27 June 2013, a remastered version of Colin McRae Rally 2.0, simply titled Colin McRae Rally, was released for iOS devices,{{cite web |last=Burnett |first=Karl |date=6 July 2013 |title=Colin McRae Rally Review |url=https://toucharcade.com/2013/07/06/colin-mcrae-rally-review/ |access-date=20 November 2024 |work=TouchArcade}}{{cite web|url=http://www.pocketgamer.co.uk/r/iPhone/Colin+McRae+Rally/review.asp?c=51911|title=Colin McRae Rally review - iPhone|last=Brown|first=Mark|work=Pocket Gamer|date=27 June 2013|access-date=19 March 2018}} with ports to Android and Windows released in 2014.{{cite web | url=https://www.mcvuk.com/press-releases/read/thumbstar-signs-the-legendary-colin-mcrae-rally-rsquo-for-android-devices-with-codemasters/0125190 | title=Thumbstar Signs the Legendary 'Colin McRae Rally' for Android Devices with Codemasters | work=MCV | date=2 December 2013 | access-date=16 December 2016 | archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20161216001609/https://www.mcvuk.com/press-releases/read/thumbstar-signs-the-legendary-colin-mcrae-rally-rsquo-for-android-devices-with-codemasters/0125190 | archive-date=16 December 2016 | url-status=dead }}

File:McRae R4 Goodwood.jpg]]

In 2003, McRae started designing a rally car named the McRae R4, which he debuted at the Goodwood Festival of Speed in 2007.{{cite news |last=Njuguna |first=Marcus |title=Here's Why Colin McRae Was Rally's Most Fearless Driver |url=https://www.hotcars.com/heres-why-colin-mcrae-was-rallys-most-fearless-driver/ |access-date=14 September 2021 |work=HotCars |date=31 December 2020}} It was designed to be an economic alternate to other rally cars, with an additional focus on safety.{{cite news |last=Mercado |first=Marcelo |title=McRae R4, el WRC que Colin McRae no llegó a disfrutar |url=https://carburando.com/notas/mcrae-r4-el-wrc-que-colin-mcrae-no-llego-disfrutar |access-date=14 September 2021 |work=Carburando |date=4 November 2020 |language=es}}{{Cite web |title=DJM Motorsport {{!}}{{!}} DJM Projects :: McRae R4 |url=https://www.djm-motorsport.co.uk/McRaeR4.html |access-date=2022-07-17 |website=djm-motorsport.co.uk}}

Built by DJM Race Preparation, the McRae R4's chassis is based on a steel safety cage with carbon panelling front and rear, and a steel-covered cockpit area. Suspension consists of twin wishbones with Proflex dampers. The process of designing the car was assisted by Codemasters, who created a 3D model of the car based on initial sketches done by DJM Motorsport. The bodywork of the car is loosely based on a first-generation Ford Ka bodyshell, deemed to be the optimal choice in terms of size, shape and weight.

The engine is a naturally aspirated, four-cylinder, 2.5-litre Millington Diamond Engine producing 350 BHP.{{cite news |last=Korecki |first=Danny |title=Ken Block Rips Donuts and Burnouts in a MK2 Ford Escort |url=https://www.thedrive.com/watch-this/15617/ken-block-rips-donuts-and-burnouts-in-a-mk2-ford-escort |access-date=14 September 2021 |work=The Drive |date=31 October 2017 |language=en}} Transmission is via a six-speed gearbox, manual or semi-automatic, and by mechanical front and rear differentials with the option of mechanical or active central differential. The car can be produced in either two- or four-wheel-drive formats.{{cite news |title=McRae R4: el coche soñado por el campeón de rallies |language=es |work=SoyMotor.com |url=https://soymotor.com/coches/articulos/mcrae-r4-el-coche-sonado-por-el-campeon-de-rallies-981855 |access-date=14 September 2021}}

(key) (Races in bold indicate pole position) (Races in italics indicate fastest lap)

(key) (Races in bold indicate pole position – 2 points awarded 2008 onwards in all races) (Races in italics indicate fastest lap)

† — Did not finish the race, but was classified as he completed over 90% of the race distance.

‡ — Not eligible for points due to being a guest driver.

{{reflist}}

• Evans, David (20 September 2007) Autosport, "McRae Tribute", Vol. 189, No. 12, pp. 6–11, Haymarket Publications.

{{Commons category}}

• {{Official website|http://www.colinmcrae.com/}}
• {{Scottish Sports Hall of Fame|colin-mcrae-mbe}}
• [https://web.archive.org/web/20070220035131/http://www.colinmcraesport.com/ Official sportswear brand]
• [https://web.archive.org/web/20070320090635/http://www.rallybase.nl/index.php?type=profile&driverid=30 Rallybase stats page]
• [http://www.juwra.com/mcrae_colin.html WRC Archive stats page]
• [https://archive.today/20081014075342/http://www.timesonline.co.uk/tol/comment/obituaries/article2469101.ece Obituary in The Times]
• [https://web.archive.org/web/20080430134328/http://www.racecar-engineering.com/articles/rallycar/173023/mcrae-r4.html McRae R4]
• [https://web.archive.org/web/20100316190652/http://www.mcraebuggy.com/ McRae Dakar Buggy]

{{s-start}}

{{s-ach}}

{{succession box

| before = David Llewellin

| title = Autosport
National Rally Driver of the Year

| after = Richard Burns

| years = 1991–1992

}}

{{succession box

| before = Juha Kankkunen

| title = Autosport
International Rally Driver Award

| after = Tommi Mäkinen

| years = 1994–1995

}}

{{succession box

| before = Tommi Mäkinen

| title = Autosport
International Rally Driver Award
(shared with Tommi Mäkinen)

| after = Tommi Mäkinen

| years = 1997

}}

{{s-sports}}

{{succession box

| before = Didier Auriol

| title = World Rally Champion

| years = {{WRC|1995}}

| after = Tommi Mäkinen

}}

{{succession box

| title = Race of Champions
Champion of Champions

| years = 1998

| before = Carlos Sainz

| after = Didier Auriol

}}

{{S-ach|rec}}

{{succession box

| title = Youngest World Rally Champion

| before = Juha Kankkunen
27 years, 249 days
(1986 season)

| after = Kalle Rovanperä
22 years, 1 day
(2022 season)

| years = 27 years, 109 days
(1995 season)

}}

{{Succession box

| title = Most rally wins
25 wins,

| before = Tommi Mäkinen
24 wins
({{WRC|1987}}–{{WRC|2003}})

| after = Carlos Sainz
26 wins,
26th at the 2004 Rally Argentina

| years = 25th at the {{WRC|2002}} Safari Rally

}}

{{s-end}}

{{World Rally Champions}}

{{Autosport International Rally Driver Award}}

{{Autosport National Driver of the Year}}

{{Colin McRae Rally}}

{{Authority control}}

{{DEFAULTSORT:Mcrae, Colin}}

Category:1968 births

Category:2007 deaths

Category:24 Hours of Le Mans drivers

Category:Aviators killed in aviation accidents or incidents in Scotland

Category:British Touring Car Championship drivers

Category:Members of the Order of the British Empire

Category:Scottish aviators

Category:Scottish rally drivers

Category:Scottish racing drivers

Category:Scottish expatriate sportspeople in Monaco

Category:Segrave Trophy recipients

Category:Victims of helicopter accidents or incidents in the United Kingdom

Category:Scottish Rally Championship

Category:World Rally Champions

Category:World Rally Championship drivers

Category:World Rally Championship people

Category:X Games competitors

Category:Fatal accident inquiries

Category:Porsche Supercup drivers

Category:Sportspeople from Lanark

Category:People educated at Lanark Grammar School

Category:ASCAR drivers

Category:Porsche Carrera Cup GB drivers

Category:Victims of aviation accidents or incidents in 2007

Category:Citroën Racing drivers

Category:BMW M drivers

Category:Škoda Motorsport drivers