my heart goes out to the family. this is a sad day. rest easy colin and son

It's been a tragic few years for rally, with Richard Burns, Michael Park and now Colin losing their lives far too young. Colin was one of the good guys of the sport, extremely talented and hugely likeable. My thoughts are with his family and friends.

I was taking a break from watching the Grand-Am race on Speed. I just want to throw up. I'm absolutely gutted. RIP Colin, and thanks for the many wonderful memories... :(

Unbelievable. Rest in peace, Colin, and thanks for the memories.

Damn. Thank you, Mr. McRae, for all that you have done here on Earth. Now go up there and tear it up with Donahue, Senna, and Toivonen.

I am absolutely devastated.

RIP and I hope that wherever you go that there is a rally-prepped Subaru with your name on it waiting for you.

Thanks for the memories.

Oh wow, that's awful. Is it somehow better or worse that he didn't die in his car?

I looked forward to seeing what Colin would do next. This is not what I was looking for. I am deeply saddened for his family Especially Alison. She has just lost 2 of the closest people in her life. We all miss him.

@athodyd: it's worse. at least when a racer goes out racing, you know they died happy...
im sort of lost for words right now.

Terrible news... RIP Colin & son.

Please forgive the pun, but Race in Peace, Mr. McRae.

@smokyburnout: Ironically, according to the article on the Beeb's website, helicopter flying was one of his greatest passions in life, along with racing. My thoughts go out to the McRae family, and those other families whose progeny were present in the vehicle when it took that unexpected return to Terra Firma.

Again, RIP Mr. McRae. You were a better driver than I could ever hope to be.

Man, what a bummer >:( I had the most cargasmic weekend, culminating in our first anniversary trackday (I thought it might also be our last, but she ended up actually having alot of fun) with my sweetheart, soulmate, and wife yesterday. She even got to pass a Pantera in her A6! OK, he wasn't trying, but it still made her day after all those blue flags thrown at her. And then I come back to work and read about this truly sad event. Even more uncool than when Carl Sagan passed. My wife got to know realm 2 yesterday, and today, Colin and his son (and possibly others...)get to meet the realm beyond. Further proof that god doesn't really exist, or is at least bipolar and/or spiteful, IMO.

Don't forget to pour out the last gram or so of that 5w30 Mobil1 for our dead homies next oil change. My turbos will be spooling a little slower for a while.

Whiskey Tango Foxtrot?

That sucks..WRC will never be the same.

Wow this sucks. I hope his family pulls through.

One of the greats that really started putting WRC into mainstream American viewing what a tragic loss

Rally drivers can do things no other kind of drivers can. Colin could do things many other rally drivers could not. For the foreable future all of my spooling will be with him in mind. It is a sad day for all hoons and rally fans alike. May he rest in peace.

i`m just shocked...

one of the best drivers has gone.. r.i.p my friend...

Stuntdriver

@athodyd - It's hard to say - either way, he would've gone out doing something he enjoyed. Either way though, just too soon. Most rally drivers come across as nice guys, and McRae was no exception. He'll be really missed from a great sport.

I can't believe this has happened. Colin McRae was a hero of mine and a national hero in Scotland. This accident has been a tragic waste of life and my heart goes out to all those affected, especially his wife and daughter.

My dad has been on eight helicopters with eight different pilots in relation to his work. All eight pilots have died in crashes. Since learning this, he hasn't been on any more helicopters. It would appear that they're intrisically unsafe.

In any event, a definite loss for the world of rally racing, the only type of automobile racing worth watching.

Dave Richards and his wife have just walked away from their own helicoter crash:

[news.bbc.co.uk]

Un-freaking-believable!

I'm devastated, as is the rest of the worldwide rally family. We will press on regardless as Colin would have insisted. I feel the loss closely as a rallyist and as a Scot, my grandmother's family is from Lanak as was McRae.

I hope they have Subarus in the afterlife. Rest in peace, Sir.

My condolences to his family. I'm sure the totality of the impact may be lost on those of us who have an interest in the sport, but are not too knowledgeable due to the lack of exposure on American TV. Until the saturation of NASCAR & pimp shows diminish, my education will be limited to snippets on YouTube.

My thoughts go out to the McRae family. The automotive world has lost not only one of its most talented, but also one of its best human beings.

Colin, I hope for the best for your son, but if he is with you, then I know the two of you are in a better place.

Rest in Peace, Colin.
You were and will always remain a hero to many.