Farewell to Rally Hero Colin McRae

On Wednesday September 26, 2007, almost 200helicopter he was piloting, crash and burst into
mourners gathered to give the last farewell toflames. Besides his son Johnny, in the helicopter
former World Rally Champion, Colin McRae, andalso were his son six-year-old friend, Ben Porcelli,
his five-year old son, Johnny, who died in aand a family friend, Graeme Duncan, of 37 years
helicopter crash last September 15th, and whoseold, who also died in the air crash.
bodies lie in the same coffin, in a private serviceMcRae passing away has shocked the auto racing
held at Daldowie Crematorium, near Glasgow.world, as he was a legend and a hero for many
The service was attended by family memberspeople. He was very beloved and respected in the
and friends, such as the Formula 1 legend SirUnited Kingdom, and was made a Member of the
Jackie Stewart and the IndyCar champion DarioOrder of the British Empire (MBE) by the Queen
Franchitti.Elizabeth II in 1996.
The Scottish driver began his rally career in 1986As a tribute, his former teammate in the Nations
and ran his first World Rally Championship in 1987Cup section of the annual Race of Champions,
in the Swedish Rally. He won his first WRC inDavid Coulthard, who were due to compete again
1993, driving a Subaru Legacy in the Rally Newwith him at Wembley in December, is going to
Zealand. In his career he ran 146 world rallies,wear a helmet designed like McRae's at the F1
winning 25 of them and finishing in the podium 42Japanese Grand Prix, this Sunday, September 30.
times. He retired on 2006, although he wasCoulthard asked for Colin's family permission to do
expected to return to the sport.this and said that: "I'll ask other drivers to sign it
McRae, of 39, died in Jerviswood, Lanarkshire, halfand give it to the family as a memento.
a mile from the family's home, when the