Colin McRae, winner of 25 World Rally Championships and star of video game franchises, was killed in a helicopter crash Saturday along with his 5-year-old son, 6-year-old Ben Porcelli and 37-year-old Graeme Duncan. The 39 year old McRae was piloting said helicopter which he owned and was licensed to fly, when it crashed into a wooded area near his home in Scotland. According to police, the aircraft was badly burned, making it impossible for officials to immediately identify the occupants.McRae’s career spans the World Rally Championship from 1987 until 2004, the Paris to Dakar rally, the Le Mans 24 hour race, the Race of Champions and the X Games. McRae’s success on the rally circuit led to a computer game “Colin McRae Rally,” first released in 1998, which is now found on PlayStation, Game Boy, Xbox and PSP platforms – and most recently DiRT for the PC, PS3, and Xbxo 30.
“He was really daring, always pushing it further,” Formula One driver Heikki Kovalainen said. “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, it’s just a roll,’ and he just carried on.”
McRae received an MBE award in 1996 from Queen Elizabeth II. He was married and also has a daughter.
The staff at Gaming Today would like everyone to please keep Colin’s family and the families of Graeme Duncan and Ben Porcelli in your thoughts and prayers as they go through the trying times ahead. It will be hard enough to deal with the loss of Colin and Graeme, but even more difficult due to the fact that young children were involved.
Via: Associated Press
15 Comments to Colin McRae – Star of Video Game Franchise – Dies in Helicopter Crash
by: marcus
On September 16, 2007 at 1:50 pm
good rally driver sadly missed
love from marcus sharon and ryan
by: Norbit
On September 16, 2007 at 1:54 pm
This is really sad.
Its unbelievable really that in the space of 2 years we have lost two of our best rally drivers with Richard Burns dying in 2005 and that after years of driving at ridiculous speeds through forests and on the side of mountains both of there deaths had nothing to do with motor racing.
by: karl bhalai
On September 16, 2007 at 2:28 pm
i like colin, he used to be my hero! i usually claim his rival richard burns lol! (although he died aswell) miss colin and richard!:cry:
by: Joelteon7
On September 16, 2007 at 3:03 pm
Britain’s best rally driver and, at numerous points, the worlds best. Completely unexpected, making it a bit more worse.
My sympathy, without doubt, are towards the two families, but, I hope that McRae’s legacy will live on.
by: michael mulvey sligo ireland
On September 16, 2007 at 4:08 pm
I was totally devastated with the news of colin mcrae’s air accident,Colin was one of my favourite idols,even though i’m only 12, i’ve followed his career for many years ,my heartfelt sympathies go out to his family. :{
by: Damian,Liverpool UK
On September 16, 2007 at 5:09 pm
Very sad news , it was Colins exciting style of driving and of course his games that first got me interested in WRC he will be sadly missed , my thoughts go out to his wife, daughter and to the families of the others involved . RIP
by: John Mc Geough
On September 16, 2007 at 5:56 pm
by: CyBerGH0ST
On September 16, 2007 at 6:01 pm
by: somewhat
On September 16, 2007 at 6:07 pm
wow. total bummer.
by: xboxlenny
On September 16, 2007 at 9:36 pm
I send my sympthay, Colin was a great driver, A professional in his feild, A legend to the name of Rally Racing. If you hear the word “Rally racing” you think of Colin McRae. in time I hope his family can move on and cope with their tragic loss. Colin McRae will be missed from the world of Rally Racing. RIP Colin McRae. I hope that Rally Racing/Codemasters have a tribute to him. You will be missed
by: wrcfan83
On September 17, 2007 at 6:27 am
Someone just posted a poll on our site regarding the death of Rally driver Colin Mcrae. Vote to keep the name of the video game!
http://www.pollsb.com/polls/poll/2253/now-that-rally-driver-colin-mcrae-died-who-should-inherit-the-colin-mcrae-s-rally-gaming-line
by: Jamie Sheehan (Cork, Ireland)
On September 17, 2007 at 9:54 am
Colin McRae was really my only childhood hero.
I am still in shock that this has happened, and can’t actually believe it.
I was eating breakfast on Sunday morning when I first heard, and I saw it on a new website.
He was a hero for the Irish people as well as the Scotish, he will be truely missed.. I hope that Codemasters keep his games coming, I will be the first in line every single time.
It’s just so tragic.
Jamie
by: Joelteon7
On September 17, 2007 at 11:41 am
On later thought of this (and discussion with fellow gamers at my games shop) we decided that it would be very appropriate for there to be one last CM Rally game by Codemasters, something along the lines of “Legends” which, I believe, would be the ultimate tribute to the fantastic man. I don’t know what would be included in it, but I think it would have to undoubtedly be the best one out there.
by: dean
On April 1, 2008 at 7:19 am
colin was a man he was a great driver
by: nigel
On August 22, 2011 at 1:53 am
RIP Colin you are missed.