colin mcrae

5th August 1968 ~ 15th September 2007

From an early age, Colin McRae made clear his love of cars, aged two he would beg to sit on the lap of an adult driver. He himself could not remember a time when he wasn't interested in cars and would spend time watching his Grandfather working in his dook (workshop)

However at the age of seven Colin was to take a detour towards motorbikes, despite his Mother Magaret's loathing for two wheeled machinery. Colin remained undettered despite being unable to stop unless he fell off and was soon building his own partially assembled kits and competing in trials less than five years later

By the age of fourteen he had won the Scottish Junior Scrambling and Intermediate Trials which was to satisfy his need for speed until he could swap two wheels for four. Driving patched up scrapyard cars with friends on a patch of private land near his home in Lanark. He later swapped his trials bike for an old mini, an autotest car and was soon ready for his first rally in 1985 after winning the West of Scotland Autotest title

Colin made his rally debut in an Avenger on the Kames Stages in Scotland finishing 14th overall

The McRae's purchased a Talbot Sunbeam in support of their son's initiative. he also joined the family heating and plumbing business where he spent most of his time mainting the company vans and preparing the Sunbeam

The 1986 Esso Scottish Championship saw him finish 18th overall and earned him the Jaggy Bunnet Flying Brick Award for the hardest trier. This was to be followed by even bigger and better things:

Some Of The Titles Won

1980 SCOTTISH JUNIOR SCRAMBLING CHAMPION

1981 SCOTTISH INTERMEDIATE TRIALS CHAMPION

1985 ASSOCIATION OF WEST OF SCOTLAND MOTOR CLUBS AUTOTEST CHAMPION.
Mini 1275

1992 BRITISH RALLY CHAMPIONSHIP
Subaru Legacy. Co-driver Derek Ringer
British Rally Champion

1995 FIA WORLD RALLY CHAMPIONSHIP
Subaru Impreza 555. Co-driver Derek Ringer
World Champion

Following Colin's World Rally Championship win in 1995 in which he beacame Britain's first and only World Champion, he was awarded the MBE by the Queen

Colin's Championship winning Impreza 555, which was gifted to him by Subaru today takes pride of place in Lanark's museum

Colin McRaes pedal to the metal style of driving as well as his obvious love for his sport won him legions of fans, especially in Scotland where he was seen as a great ambassador for his country, choosing as he did to continue to live in Lanark, where he grew up with his wife Alison and children Hollie & Johnny

Those same fans were devastated when Colin along with his five year old son Johnny were killed in a hellicopter crash on the 15th September 2007

I found this poem online and i just had to include it here as it is such a fitting tribute to both Colin and Johnny

Up at five and really so keen,
To see the bond of man and machine






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		Colin McRae 5th August 1968 ~ 15th September 2007 From an early age, Colin McRae made clear his love of cars, aged two he would beg to sit on the lap of an adult driver. He himself could not remember a time when he wasn't interested in cars and would spend time watching his Grandfather working in his dook (workshop) However at the age of seven Colin was to take a detour towards motorbikes, despite his Mother Magaret's loathing for two wheeled machinery. Colin remained undettered despite being unable to stop unless he fell off and was soon building his own partially assembled kits and competing in trials less than five years later By the age of fourteen he had won the Scottish Junior Scrambling and Intermediate Trials which was to satisfy his need for speed until he could swap two wheels for four. Driving patched up scrapyard cars with friends on a patch of private land near his home in Lanark. He later swapped his trials bike for an old mini, an autotest car and was soon ready for his first rally in 1985 after winning the West of Scotland Autotest title Colin made his rally debut in an Avenger on the Kames Stages in Scotland finishing 14th overall The McRae's purchased a Talbot Sunbeam in support of their son's initiative. he also joined the family heating and plumbing business where he spent most of his time mainting the company vans and preparing the Sunbeam The 1986 Esso Scottish Championship saw him finish 18th overall and earned him the Jaggy Bunnet Flying Brick Award for the hardest trier. This was to be followed by even bigger and better things: Some Of The Titles Won 1980 SCOTTISH JUNIOR SCRAMBLING CHAMPION 1981 SCOTTISH INTERMEDIATE TRIALS CHAMPION 1985 ASSOCIATION OF WEST OF SCOTLAND MOTOR CLUBS AUTOTEST CHAMPION. Mini 1275 1992 BRITISH RALLY CHAMPIONSHIP Subaru Legacy. Co-driver Derek Ringer British Rally Champion 1995 FIA WORLD RALLY CHAMPIONSHIP Subaru Impreza 555. Co-driver Derek Ringer World Champion Following Colin's World Rally Championship win in 1995 in which he beacame Britain's first and only World Champion, he was awarded the MBE by the Queen Colin's Championship winning Impreza 555, which was gifted to him by Subaru today takes pride of place in Lanark's museum Colin McRaes pedal to the metal style of driving as well as his obvious love for his sport won him legions of fans, especially in Scotland where he was seen as a great ambassador for his country, choosing as he did to continue to live in Lanark, where he grew up with his wife Alison and children Hollie & Johnny Those same fans were devastated when Colin along with his five year old son Johnny were killed in a hellicopter crash on the 15th September 2007 I found this poem online and i just had to include it here as it is such a fitting tribute to both Colin and Johnny Up at five and really so keen, To see the bond of man and machine 3 hours to drive to get to the start We all have a laugh and so full of heart We know it is early, the weather is damp But we need to see cars come off the ramp Through fog and rain we push on with style We know the main man is due in a while Then comes a whistle, the marshal says time A car is now coming through forests of pine Its howl is so frightening, like a banshee on heat There is no escape, as we shuffle our feet And suddenly now its why we are here McRae over crest of course in top gear! Its been worth the wait, the weather, the toil, To see the brave Scot here on home soil But now there is silence, and its deafening too Cos you and the wee man have bid us adieu So rest in peace Colin you and your lad You gave us your best, John be proud of your dad The memories you left us are all just the best You shone like a star, just simply the best Colin you're a mate and thats what we all thought It made you our hero and that just can't be bought Now you're in heaven with your boy and at rest But you left us the true meaning of FLAT OVER CREST!