Reverend
September 16th, 2007, 21:41 PM
The world of motorsport has paid tribute to former World Rally champion Colin McRae, who has died along with his young son in a helicopter crash.
David Richards, McRae's former boss at Subaru, said the 39-year-old Scot will be remembered for his winning attitude.
"He had a competitive spirit like I've never seen in any other individual in my life," said Richards.
"He was one of those people who had an extraordinary spirit that you just can't define. It's a terrible loss."
Official confirmation of his McRae's death came at 1255 BST on Sunday.
His agent, Jean-Eric Freudiger, also confirmed McRae was piloting the helicopter when it crashed, killing all four people on board, including McRae's five-year-old son, Johnny.
McRae leaves a wife, Alison, and daughter, Hollie.
McRae, 39, the son of five-times British rally champion Jimmy, wrote his name in the record books in 1995 when he became the first Briton to win the World Rally Championship.
Richards insisted it was his fearless and at times gung-ho approach that won him many admirers in the sport and fans outside it.
"That was his style. He had a real have-a-go instinct," said Richards. "It was a special thing that you would never want to take that away from him.
"You could throw any car at him in any recognised motorsport and he would do well.
"I remember when I put him in a Formula One car at Silverstone and how great he was in that straight away.
"It could have been a sports car, touring car, Paris-Dakar, you name it. It's unusual to call somebody a legend, but it's very appropriate for Colin."
Nicky Grist, McRae's co-driver since 1997, said the whole of the rally world was in shock and said McRae was "such a great character".
:view: Full story (http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/motorsport/6997241.stm)
David Richards, McRae's former boss at Subaru, said the 39-year-old Scot will be remembered for his winning attitude.
"He had a competitive spirit like I've never seen in any other individual in my life," said Richards.
"He was one of those people who had an extraordinary spirit that you just can't define. It's a terrible loss."
Official confirmation of his McRae's death came at 1255 BST on Sunday.
His agent, Jean-Eric Freudiger, also confirmed McRae was piloting the helicopter when it crashed, killing all four people on board, including McRae's five-year-old son, Johnny.
McRae leaves a wife, Alison, and daughter, Hollie.
McRae, 39, the son of five-times British rally champion Jimmy, wrote his name in the record books in 1995 when he became the first Briton to win the World Rally Championship.
Richards insisted it was his fearless and at times gung-ho approach that won him many admirers in the sport and fans outside it.
"That was his style. He had a real have-a-go instinct," said Richards. "It was a special thing that you would never want to take that away from him.
"You could throw any car at him in any recognised motorsport and he would do well.
"I remember when I put him in a Formula One car at Silverstone and how great he was in that straight away.
"It could have been a sports car, touring car, Paris-Dakar, you name it. It's unusual to call somebody a legend, but it's very appropriate for Colin."
Nicky Grist, McRae's co-driver since 1997, said the whole of the rally world was in shock and said McRae was "such a great character".
:view: Full story (http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/motorsport/6997241.stm)