Subaru World Rally Team managing director, Richard Taylor has said that all of his team are 'shocked and upset' following the tragic helicopter accident that claimed the life of Colin McRae on Saturday.
McRae was killed at around 4 pm yesterday, along with his 5-year-old son, Johnny; Ben Porcelli, one of Johnny's friends, and Graeme Duncan, a McRae family friend.
"All of us at the Subaru World Rally Team are shocked and upset by the tragic news of
Colin McRae's death, which was announced on Sunday,” Taylor told the official SWRT website.
“Colin was Subaru's first World champion and a man who almost single-handedly brought the sport of rallying to the attention of millions around the world.
“He was an inspiration to motorsport fans and remained a close friend to many of us in the team. At this terribly sad time our thoughts are with Alison and the rest of Colin's family."
A number of other people meanwhile have paid tribute to McRae, including - in addition to the
FIA, the sports governing body [see separate story], his former boss at
Subaru, David Richards.
“Colin had a competitive spirit like I've never seen in any other individual in my life," Richards told
BBC Sport Online.
“He had a real have-a-go instinct. 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.
"He was one of those people who had an extraordinary spirit that you just can't define. It's a terrible loss," summed-up the Prodrive-man.
