Tributes: Colin McRae, 1968-2007 [updated].

1995 World Rally champion, Colin McRae was tragically killed on Saturday when his helicopter crashed.

McRae was one of four that perished, along with his five-year-old son, Johnny, as well as the youngster's friend Ben Porcelli and family friend Graeme Duncan, who was 37.

All at Crash.net join the entire rallying community in extending our sympathies to Colin's family and friends and those of the other victims at this difficult time.

What follows is a selection of some of the tributes made following Colin's passing...

Jimmy McRae, speaking on behalf of the whole family:

"It is with much sadness and regret that we have to make this statement.

"It is unbelievable that Colin and Johnny's lives have been taken so prematurely and in such a tragic manner.

"Colin was a great son, a loving husband to Alison and a fantastic father to Johnny and his big sister Hollie. Johnny was a great wee guy, spending every spare minute with his dad, and even at this early stage it looked like he had the potential to carry on the family dynasty.

"Our thoughts are also very much with the families of Ben Porcelli and Graeme Duncan. Ben was a great buddy of Johnny's and they had always spent a lot of time together both in and out of school. Graeme, who now resides in France, had been a close friend of Colin's since their schooldays and was back in Lanark on holiday.

"We are thankful for the overwhelming number of messages of support we have received from all around the world. Colin was very much an inspiration and role model to motorsport fans the world over.

"As you can imagine this is a very difficult time for the family and we would ask that our privacy be respected and we be allowed to grieve in private."

FIA:

"The FIA has received a notification from the Strathclyde Police regarding the helicopter crash in Jerviswood, Lanark, yesterday. The police have confirmed to the FIA that there were four people, two adults and two young children on board the helicopter.

"The Police believe the passengers to be Colin McRae and his son Johnny; Ben Porcelli, one of Johnny's friends, and Graeme Duncan a McRae family friend

"The FIA extends sincere condolences to the families of all those involved in this awful accident.

"Colin McRae made an enormous contribution to motor sport and his spectacular driving style endeared him to fans throughout the world.

"The thoughts of all those in the motor sport community are with the families and friends of those touched by this tragedy."

Colin Hilton, chief executive of the Motor Sports Association - governing body of UK motor sport:

"On behalf of the entire community of UK motor sport, we send our deepest condolences to the family and friends of Colin McRae and those involved in yesterday's accident.

"Colin was an inspiration to all who knew him and to millions around the world who knew of him. His energy, commitment and extraordinary talent brought him domestic and international success, while his uncompromising style and determination made him the hero of fans everywhere.

"Throughout a glorious career, that saw him rise from the grassroots of the sport to the pinnacle of the world stage, Colin was always a great ambassador for Scottish and UK motor sport. Since retiring from the WRC, he has continued to dedicate himself to the sport, in particular the development of the next generation of rally drivers and co-drivers.

"He will be sorely missed by everyone and our thoughts and prayers are with his family."

Richard Taylor - Subaru World Rally Team managing director:

"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.

"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."

courtesy of the official SWRT website

David Richards - Prodrive boss:

"Colin was an amazingly talented driver. He had a passion and commitment for the sport which I have rarely seen in anyone else. You knew that whenever he got behind the wheel of a car that he would extract every ounce of its performance. And it was this all or nothing approach to driving that won him so many fans.

"Despite his success he always remained a very approachable person, someone who would always take time to talk to his fans and who continued to support the sport which brought him his fame.

"On a personal note he was also great friend. I have known him for more than 20 years since he was a teenager, sitting in the service park watching his father Jimmy compete in one of our Porsche rally cars. While it is a very sad day for motorsport, we should remember that Colin was a family man and I know I can speak for everyone at Prodrive and Subaru when I say that all our thoughts are with his wife and family at this very sad time."

Valentino Rossi - MotoGP super star, speaking after winning the Portuguese Grand Prix on Sunday at Estoril:

"First of all I want to dedicate this victory to Colin McRae, who sadly died yesterday. Colin is one of my idols from when I was very young and it's because of him that I have my passion for rally. It's a very sad day for motorsport and I am glad that I could win for him today."

David Coulthard - Red Bull Racing Formula 1 driver:

"In line with many people, I'm shocked and saddened to hear of the loss to the McRae family, of father and son, and obviously we must acknowledge the other family that were on board the helicopter as well. Colin was a remarkable man who wore his heart on this sleeve and was the epitome of a racer; fearless and attacking, yet he remained true to his roots and grounded despite the international fame and recognition that he achieved. The world is a sorrier place without him."

Christian Horner - Red Bull Racing team boss:

"It has been a tragic weekend for motorsport losing one of the sports great champions. Our thoughts are with the families."

Mark Webber - Red Bull Racing Formula 1 driver:

"Today my thoughts are with the McRae family - and the terrible tragedy that happened yesterday."

Fredrik Johnson, President of The Race of Champions organisers IMP:

"This is a terrible shock. Colin was a very good friend who has been participating in our event for more than 15 years. He was one of the most spectacular drivers and hugely appreciated by everyone both on and off the track.

"Colin will be deeply missed at the event by organisers, drivers and fans alike. At this painful time our thoughts are with Colin's wife Alison and all his family. Together with Michele Mouton and everyone at The Race of Champions, we extend our sincere condolences to the McRae family."

Nicky Grist - former co-driver:

"I have to say they were the best times of my life. We used to drive to the max and push everything to the absolute limit. But when it came to socialising we had great fun also.

"Colin was always regarded as being a bit of a risk-taker in cars, but when it came to flying a helicopter he was a totally different man. The one thing he always told me, he said, 'You don't mess about with a helicopter. They are bigger and better than I am and you have to drive them as such'.

"At the end of the day, as co-driver for Colin I felt like one of the chosen few, and it was a great honour - one of the greatest of my life.

"He was one of the most exciting and exhilarating drivers. He could turn on the extra speed just when it was needed to grab extra seconds to win the rally, and he was also one of the fans' favourites. Whenever we were at a rally you would always see millions of Scottish flags there for him. He was exhilarating to watch and he will be sorely missed.

"Not only is it a tragedy for the sport, but for his wife, who's not only lost a husband, but has lost a son in the accident too. Johnny adored his father and loved everything about cars. I am sure he was the new rally driver for the McRae family."

courtesy of icWales

Martin Whitaker - Ford's director of European Motorsport during McRae's time with the team:

"I knew Colin very well. Where do you start? He was just the most extraordinary man. I think one of the things that occurred to me today was there was an expectancy every time Colin was in a rally stage - you knew that something was going to happen.

"He was either going to be blindingly fast or he was going to have a spectacular accident - what ever he did was flat-out. That expectancy as you stood there - whether it was in a forest in Wales or up in the Trossachs in Scotland, or in Argentina or New Zealand - was because you knew that there was something going to happen when Colin arrived on the scene.

"His driving style was just extraordinary. Rallying had always had a strong following around the world before Colin McRae came along - but I think every now and then a driver comes on the scene that just has that something extra, and I think Colin had something extra and his legacy is what we see today in the popularity of the sport.

"He managed to move the popularity of the sport away from just the rally stage into everyone's sitting rooms with the success of his rally computer games - I think they are some of Sony's biggest ever sellers.

"Colin was a thoroughly decent bloke, he had great sense of humour and a gritty, rugged determination to win. I wanted him to come out to Bahrain, I had asked him to come. I thought that the 24-hour race would be great for him but sadly it never came off - who knows it might have done in a few years time. It would have been great to have seen him here because it didn't matter what car he was in - he was just a star."

Courtesy Gulf Daily News

Malcolm Wilson, BP-Ford World Rally Team director:

"My heartfelt condolences go to Colin's wife, Alison, his daughter Hollie and the whole McRae family. I was privileged to have Colin in our team driving for Ford at a time when he was at the peak of his powers. He achieved one of his greatest victories with us when he won the legendary Safari Rally in Kenya in 1999 on only our third event with a brand new Focus WRC. It was a victory he went on to repeat in 2002. Since retiring as a full-time driver in the WRC, Colin has done much for the sport at grass roots level and his tragic death is a huge loss to British sport in general."

Andy Priaulx - World Touring Car Champion:

"It's devastating news for everyone and I want to send all our love, thoughts and best wishes and support to Colin's family, to Alison and Hollie who are left behind and to Jimmy and the family as a whole.

"It is devastating for all of us. Motorsport is going to sadly miss Colin, but it will never forget him."

Jean Todt - Ferrarri F1 team principal:

"I have been involved in rallying as a co-driver from 1966 to 1981 and he was much younger than me. Then I was a team director of a rally team which then went into a sportscar championship at the end of 1991 until 1993, so I did not work with Colin McRae.

"But I still follow rallying because I like this sport and he was a great champion. I remember when he was World Champion in 1995 and I saw last night on television some pictures of his skills. He was one of the best rally drivers in history."

The Richard Burns Foundation:

"Everyone involved in the Richard Burns Foundation would like to pass their sincere condolences to the family of Colin McRae.

"Like Richard, Colin was a tough competitor on the road and a truly inspirational person off it.

"He will be sorely missed by all."

Bryn Williams - Crash Media Group MD:

"First of all, our thoughts are with the McRae family and also the families of the other unfortunate individuals, Ben Porcelli and Graeme Duncan.

"What can I say? To start with there isn't enough space here to do justice to Colin's achievements and the way in which he touched so many around the world. There is no doubt about it, he was, or rather, he IS a Legend and will be remembered by us all in that way.

"I was extremely fortunate to have worked closely with Colin while working with SWRT as their official photographer. We spent many many days and events together during that time, it was indeed a privilege.

"I shed tears for Richard and now for Colin. God be with you."

Marcus Gronholm - BP Ford WRT:

"Colin was always fast and was a good competitor. He was a man who was never boring and always full of enthustiasm."

Petter Solberg - Subaru WRT:

"It was terrible to be given the news that my good friend Colin and his five year-old son Johnny, died in a helicopter-crash Saturday evening. Colin was one of my closest friends and it is thanks to him I have achieved so much in rallying.

"Colin's passion for motorsport made him the most popular driver in the world, and it is unbelievable that he is no longer among us. I am so glad I got to know Colin.

"Pernilla and I send our deepest condolences to his wife Alison and their daughter Hollie. Our thoughts are also with the families of Ben Porcelli and Graeme Duncan, who also died in this terrible accident."

Guy Frequelin - Citroen Sport director:

"In 2003, I was fortunate to have three extraordinary drivers in my squad: Carlos Sainz, Sebastien Loeb and Colin McRae. The news of Colin's death really took me aback; I am devastated. He was such a likeable person, and very open and honest. He was a true sportsman who never looked for excuses. He derived pleasure from everything he undertook. He was a battler, of course, but I believe what drove him, what made him someone who would just never give up, was that permanent quest for pleasure. Everyone in the team adored him and we are all deeply grieved."

Sebastien Loeb: Citroen WRT:

"It's a tragedy. I am terribly touched by the disappearance of Colin and his little boy. Our thoughts go out to his wife and daughter. Colin was a hugely talented driver. He was also such a down to earth and cool and collected person. He loved to joke around and it was a joy and an honour to work alongside him."

Kris Meeke - McRae's prot?g?e :

"Colin was more than a mentor as far as my career was concerned. He and Alison took me into their home and treated me like an adopted son. I was just part of the family and I would babysit the kids while they were out.

"I simply can't take this in. There is an intense pain in my stomach. This just hurts so much and I can only imagine what his family are going through. To lose Colin is such a tragedy, but little Johnny as well is too much to bear.

"No-one could have devoted more time to helping me and supporting me than Colin did. It started out as a pupil-mentor thing when he selected me for his McRae Scholarship, but it grew into a close friendship. I have no hesitation in saying he has been the biggest influence on my life over the past five or six years. No-one could have done more for me.

"Right now it just seems unreal. So hard to believe. In the past, we spent so much time together, working together, laughing together, riding mountain bikes, motorbikes and, yes, flying in his helicopter.

"He was a meticulous and experienced pilot and, with certainty, I can say he would never have taken any risks.

"It is just devastating for the whole McRae family, and my thoughts are with Alison and Hollie at this time"

Courtesy of krismeeke.com

Sir Jackie Stewart - Formula 1 champion:

"Colin, by winning the world championship, not only for himself but for Scotland, really put us on the map in rallying in a big way in the modern time. He was a very determined driver. I don't think there has ever been a rally driver who's been so close to the edge so many times as Colin was. He drove to the ultimate limit of his ability and that of the car.

"Colin's personality, his humour, had an awful lot to do with how much he was liked wherever he went. And that's why of course he was so successful.

"But he really was a driver that spectators loved because the car was always moving. He just conducted his driving in a way which was so confident, so full of enthusiasm and spirit. That was what I think endeared him to so many followers of rallying and of course for the professionals within the sport. He was somebody I really loved to watch driving rally cars.

"It's just a shocking loss to everyone concerned and certainly to Scotland."

Courtesy of BBC Scotland/Press Association

Codemasters - developers of the Colin McRae Rally series:

"Everyone at Codemasters, especially those who worked directly with Colin McRae, is deeply shocked and saddened by the tragic events of this weekend.

"The loss of Colin McRae is deeply distressing. That it involved his son and another so young makes it even more tragic. Our thoughts are with his family and those closest to him and we share in their pain.

"For over ten years, Colin was part of the Codemasters family and it was a privilege to have a man recognised as a true legend on the team. He always took a keen interest in the game experience, wanting to make sure it was without equal in its portrayal of the sport.

"His contribution was inspirational and brought his technical expertise and passion for rally driving to each and every McRae game. Through the popularity of those games, he brought a whole new audience to the sport itself.

"Codemasters' relationship with Colin began through Jim, David and Richard Darling and their condolences, along with ours, are passed to Colin's family. We are heavy of heart at his passing but we are also brimming with pride at knowing him and to have played a small role in his life.

"He will never be forgotten by all at Codemasters."

Pirelli:

"The untimely death of Colin McRae last weekend is a tragic event both for motorsport and the world of sport in general. Pirelli - which has shared so many happy moments with the Scottish World Champion, thanks to his many successes - would like to express its sincere condolences to Colin's family and friends.

"The 39 year-old Scot took 20 of his World Championship rally victories on Pirelli rubber. Colin gave Pirelli its 100th World Championship victory (with a Subaru Impreza WRC on the 1997 Safari Rally) and also its 125th victory (on the Safari Rally as well, but this time with a Ford Focus WRC five years later).

"From the start of his career in his native Scotland in the 1980s, to his magnificent World Championship drivers' title in 1995, Colin's links with Pirelli grew closer as his fame spread. Pirelli, for its part, always believed in the spectacular but fast driving style that made Colin stand out.

"Colin was the true architect of rallying's golden era in the last decade. Always a force to be reckoned with throughout the 1990's, he was 2nd in the World Rally Championships of 1996 and 1997. Switching to Ford in 1999, Colin again took the runner-up spot with Pirelli in 2001, and continued his winning ways at world level through until 2002.

"For Pirelli, it has been a privilege to share these amazing moments with a great champion - who will remain in the hearts of his many fans all over the world forever."

Jost Capito, director Ford TeamRS:

"On behalf of Ford, I would like to express my deepest sorrow at the news of Colin McRae's tragic death. He was a great ambassador for both Ford Motor Company and the sport of rallying and an inspirational figure to legions of his supporters."

Mark Higgins, British Rally Champion:

"Colin is a rally legend, hero and will always be known as a fearless world class talent. I cant imagine the hurt the McRae family must be going through but I pass on my deepest sympathy from the Higgins family."

Mark Taylor, British Rally Championship manager:

"Colin was a great ambassador to the sport and a real friend to the British Rally Championship, he will be sadly missed by everyone. When ever we met he would share his vision and ideas for the future. He was a real inspiration and I am sure I speak for all of those involved with the BRC, the event organisers, our partners, marshals and competitors when I say that our thoughts are with his family and friends at this time."

Subaru Team USA:

"We are saddened that former Subaru world champion rally driver Colin McRae and his son Johnny have died following a helicopter crash in Lanarkshire, Scotland on Saturday, September 15. McRae won the WRC driver's title in 1995, was championship runner-up in 1996, 1997 and 2001, and third in 1998. He helped Subaru win the Manufacturer's title in 1995, 1996 and 1997. McRae's most recent involvement with Subaru was at the 2007 X Games in Los Angeles this past August which followed his silver medal win in 2006. McRae is remembered for his flamboyant personality and dramatic driving style.

"As part of Subaru Rally Team USA's rally effort for the past two summer X Games, McRae not only brought a wealth of experience and talent, he quickly became a friend of the team through his casual and approachable demeanor which belied his very focused approach to rallying. To many on the team, having an opportunity to work with Colin McRae represented very much a dream realised."

Ken Block, Subaru Team USA:

"It was an honour to call him my friend, and I will never forget how it felt to be in his presence. He was the biggest inspiration in rally for me and always will be."

X-Raid Team:

"It was with much regret and sadness that the AlgoDyne Green Racing Team/X-Raid Team learned at the weekend of the tragic death of Colin McRae, the 1995 World Rally Champion and the team's latest signing for the 2008 Dakar Rally.

"Colin joined the X-Raid Team mid-way through this year and planned to tackle the 2008 Dakar Rally with Swedish co-driver Tina Th?rner in a Trebur-built BMW X3 CC. He had already taken part in the Baja Spain in July in a BMW X3 CC and was planning to tackle the UAE Desert Challenge in Dubai in November.

"Colin was well known around the world for his aggressive, attacking driving style and the X-Raid Team was relishing the prospect of working with him for the remainder of this season and during the 2008 Dakar Rally. He was always prepared to take risks to achieve his goal, one stunning stage time in wet conditions on the final stage of the Tour de Corse being a case in point. His flair made him popular with rally fans the world over. He was arguably the quickest driver of his generation, but he also suffered his fair share of accidents.

"Colin McRae was arguably the most famous rally driver in the world. He is survived by his wife Alison and daughter Hollie. X-Raid Team Director Sven Quandt and everyone connected with the X-Raid Team send their deepest condolences on this tragic loss to his many friends and close family at this devastating time."

Alan Gow, British Touring Car Championship series director:

"My thoughts are for Colin's family during their time of unimaginable grief."