Well what can I say.? The death of Colin McRae has kind of knocked me sideways. When such a tragic event takes away from the world one of your great idols then it does bring up confusing emotions. Despite being World Rally Champion just once back in 1995, Colin’s amazing driving and determination always dragged my attention to a motor sport that I have never been 100% interested in.
My first encounter with his talent was back in the 1990 Lombard RAC Rally. Driving a Subaru Legacy he pounded round the Kielder Forest “oop north”, knocking the hell out of his car (by the end of day three the passengers side was constructed of plastic sheeting and a large metal gate bolt held the door closed. His driving style able to overcome most adversaries.
He dabbled in the British Touring Car as well, little known but true. One drive for the fledgling Pro-Drive outfit at the Knockhill circuit in a BMW back in 1992 (a race where he was disqualified for shoving off Keith O’Dor in the Primera) was set up via the same team with which he won the Rally Championship three years later.
As a driver he will be very sadly missed, especially as his come back was being set up for next year in a decent car, worthy of his talent. With the mildly recent loss of Richard Burns from cancer, the world is down by two very talented and bright men. The news that Pro-Drive boss Dave Richards had a similar but less serious accident the same DAY (Saturday) is frightening in it’s coincidence.
Motor sport is still a horribly dangerous way of earning a living… with the deaths of such great men as Senna, O’Dor, McRae, Earnhardt all within close living memory is it any wonder they draw my immense admiration.?