A sad loss for Scotland of a real hero and an immensely popular friend'
AFTER the death of Colin McRae was confirmed yesterday, tributes poured in from the world of motorsport and beyond .
"Helen [ my wife] and I are very sad to hear the tragic news. Both Paul and Mark [ my sons] were good friends with Colin also. We want to extend our sincere condolences and deepest sympathy to Ali, Jimmy and the rest of the McRae fa m i ly. " Its a sad loss for Scotland of a real hero and an immensely popular friend." SIR JACKIE STEWART, Three- time F1 world champion
"He and [ his wife] Alison were good friends and I cannot imagine either without the other. He was fearless, flamboyant, blindingly quick in the car. He was very down- to- earth, matter- of-fact that he was so good. He had all the good Scottish traits." DAVID COULTHARD, Formula 1 driver
"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." NICKY GRIST McRaes former co- driver
"Colin McRae was an outstanding Scottish sportsman of international stature and achievement. His death is a great tragedy, and my thoughts and condolences are with all the families and friends bereaved by this terrible accident." ALEX SALMOND First Minister
"I dont think anybody disliked him, everyone was his friend in the sport. Everywhere he went he was an ambassador, an ambassador for the sport and for Scotland, he was terrific." MAX MOSLEY President of the FIA
"He had a competitive spirit like Ive never seen in any other individual in my life. 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. Its unusual to call somebody a legend, but its very appropriate for Colin." DAVE RICHARDS Owner of Prodrive team with whom McRae won the world championship
"He was really daring, always pushing it further. I always liked his attitude. It was maximum attack always and he had some big rolls sometimes. Every time he had one, though, it was like: Oh well, its just a roll, and he just carried on." HEIKKI KOVALAINEN Formula 1 driver
"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." COLIN HILTON Chief Executive of the Motor Sports Association
"He was something special. He started in 1988 and was world champion seven years later. That shows just what a driver he was. He was a great friend and I had no fear of flying with him and Ive been at the controls of the helicopter. I felt 100 per cent safe with him and I never had any fears." MURRAY GRIERSON Former Scottish rally champion
"I need to remember Colin McRae. I dedicate to him this victory because he is one of my idols." VALENTINO ROSSI MotoGP rider
"Cruelly taken from us in such a heartbreaking way. May you enjoy going flat out on Gods special stage." Message left on St Andrews flag outside Subaru Impreza Drivers Club
