Colin McRae was a former Scottish Rally driver who won several world champion titles.

This former Rally driver, who unfortunately passed away in the helicopter crash on the 15th of September 2017, won the 1991 and 1992 British Rally Championship.

Also, he became the youngest rally driver and the first Scottish to win the World Rally Championship Driver’s title in 1995.

We will be discussing everything about this legendary rally driver, Colin McRae, starting with some quick facts.

Quick Facts: Colin McRae

Early Life and Family of Colin McRae

Colin Steele McRae, aka, Colin McRae a professional rally racer, was born on August 5, 1968, in the beautiful city of Lanark, Scotland, United Kingdom.

McRae was born to Jimmy McRae (Father), a five-time British Rally Champion, and Margaret McRae (Mother).

Colin had a comfortable early life along with his parents and older brother, Alister McRae, also a rally driver.

Since his early life, Colin was interested in four-wheel drives rather than two wheels.

Talking about his academic qualifications, McRae achieved his high school education from Lanark Grammar School.

Well, not much regarding his higher education is known.

However, the racer was talented and hardworking, which he proved in his professional career.

Also, check Andy Cohen Net Worth: TV Business & Lifestyle>>

Age and Body Measurements

One of the most talented Scottish rally drivers, Colin McRae, lived a life span of 39 years along with his lovely wife and beautiful small family.

He did celebrate his annual birthday on the 5th of August and fell under the zodiac sign of Leo, which represented his personality as open-minded, king, charming, and ardent.

Talking about the physical appearance of this Scottish rally racer, Colin had an average body height of 5 feet 9 inches, i.e., 181cm, while the bodyweight is unknown.

Furthermore, McRae was blessed with beautiful brown eyes and dark brown hair color to enhance his personality.

Colin McRae: Career

Before he began riding four-wheel, McRae used to ride trial bikes at an early age.

However, as his interest grew towards the four-wheeler, he sold his trail bike for a Mini Cooper.

When Colin was only 16 years old, he began driving his Mini Cooper professionally and competing in races.

After a year of practice, he requested a single-staged rally venue to use his Hillman Avenger for the Kames Stage.

He finished in the fourteenth position on his first-ever professional race.

After few years of his initial career, in 1986, McRae improved his driving skills and advanced himself into the Scottish Rally Championship, driving a Talbot Sunbeam.

Not to mention, he always idolized Ari Vatanen, a former ex-World Rally Champion, and also began driving like his idol, which caught the attention of many people.

Two years after, in 1988, McRae won the Scottish Rally Championship, where he performed giant-killing in a humble Vauxhall Nova.

With his victory and achievement as a Scottish Rally Champion, he drove Ford Sierra XR 4×4.

Rising Moment of Colin McRae

After his first big achievement, Colin was having a great career across the world.

During the competition at Rally New Zealand in a rare wheel drive Sierra Cosworth, McRae finished at 5th position overall.

Similarly, in 1990 McRae ended up in the sixth position.

However, in 1991, he was signed to the Subaru team by David Richards, a boss of Prodrive.

As a part of the British Rally Championship, Colin used to earn £10K annually.

Moreover, this Scottish was able to write his name on the 1991 and 1992 British Rally Championship in the first place.

Also, check Amy Schumer Net Worth: Lifestyle & Real State>>

World Rally Championship

In 1993, Colin McRae got the opportunity to drive a legendary Prodrive-build Group A Subaru Legacy along with Hannu Mikkola, Markku Alen, and Finns Ari Vatanen.

With his new legendary machine, he won his first World Rally Championship.

Well, Colin began collecting multiple awards and championships, which led him to win the driver’s title in 1995 after winning a straight contest with a double champion teammate, Carlos Sainz.

However, not every year was fortunate for McRae as in 1996 and 1997; he couldn’t even finish in second place on events such as Safari Rally, Acropolis, and the Tour de Corse.

But Colin came back stronger in 1998, winning three rallies and Race of Champion in Gran Canaria, the Canary Islands.

Ford World Rally Team

A new year with a new start for McRae with a new Ford World Rally Team driving.

After his promotion to the new team, Colin made a massive six million pounds in only two years, making him the highest-earning rally driver in history.

In his first season with Ford, he finished in the fourth position on the overall standing.

However, after two years of the contract, his contract was renewed for two more years.

His career success continued in 2001 as he gained points on three consecutive rally races in Argentina, Cyprus, and Greece.

At the end of the season, the racer became second with only two points behind the first position, Subaru’s Richard Burns.

In 2002, he made the record with the most event wins in the World Rally Championship.

With that, his contract with Ford ended, and McRae demanded five million pounds annually to renew the contract, which Ford declined.

Citroen World Rally Team

After an unsuccessful contract renewal with Ford, Colin signed a new contract with Citroen World Rally Team.

Colin had an impressive start with a second-place finish on his debut race in Monte Carlo. His first season ended with a seventh position in the driver’s championship.

Citroen had to release one of their drivers between McRae and Sainz with no victories and titles throughout the season.

Unfortunately, McRae was released from the team and couldn’t find other teams to compete in the following year.

After ten years, for the first time, he was out of the World Rally Championship.

Downfall of Colin McRae

After a bad year with Citroen, he was left out without a team for the 2004 season and began competing in the Dakar Rally and the 24 Hours of Le Mans.

For a couple of years, he represented Great Britain in the Race of Champions.

Similarly, in 2005, he had one drive off for Skoda in Rally GB and Rally Australia.

In 2006, he again raced for Subaru as part of the X-Games in Los Angeles, where he rolled the car on the penultimate and damaged the front bumper and left front tire.

Although, he keeps the car moving and finished in the second position, just behind the winner Travis Pastrana with 0.13 seconds late.

In 2007, he was trying his best to return on the 2008 WRC as he also mentions that “if he doesn’t get a seat next year, he won’t return to the race.”

Well, after his confirmation to the 2008 WRC along with his co-driver Robert Reid.

But, unfortunately, he couldn’t return to the 2008 WRC because of a helicopter accident that resulted in his death.

Also, check Jerry Buss: Lakers, Wives & Net Worth>>

How did Colin McRae Die?

On September 15, 2007, one of the best rally racers from Scotland, Colin McRae, passed away due to a helicopter crash (Eurocopter AS350).

It seems that McRae was traveling to his family home as the chopper crashed only 1 mile closer to his family home, on the north of Lanark, Scotland.

Colin and his five-year-old son, Johnny, and his friends, Graeme Duncan and Ben Porcelli, also died in the crash.

In November 2008, he was announced as part of the Scottish Sports Hall of Fame.

The Funeral for Colin and his son, Johnny, was held on September 26 at Daldowie Crematorium by the Rev Tom Houston, his wife, and Rev Steven Reid, a friend of Johnny.

During the funeral, Colin’s niece and nephews performed a funeral song, Highland Cathedral.

Also, The Dock of the Bay by Otis Redding was played, which was the favorite song of Colin McRae.

Many big people spoke about McRae as a good human being and an excellent rally driver, including Valentino Rossi and Tommi Makinen.

Rossi even dedicated his 2007 Estoril MotoGP win to Colin McRae, his greatest idol, while Rossi was a young boy.

Personal Life of Colin McRae

Before an accident, Colin McRae had a beautiful life with his wife and two children, a son and a daughter.

He was married to Alison Hamilton, and the couple was blessed with Hollie McRae, daughter, and Johnny McRae, son.

Very unfortunate that this big personality and legend of the rally race had to pass away at 39 years of age.

Also, the hard part was the crash took his five years old son, Johnny McRae.

How much was Colin McRae’s Net Worth?

Before the death of Colin, while he was an active rally racer, Colin had an impressive net worth of around $16 Million.

He made his massive net worth from his rally driving career, contract with several big teams, and winning multiple titles.

As a total, McRae won 25 rallies throughout his career and made a handsome amount of money after every win.

Moreover, after being a big personality and celebrity, surely he got several sponsorship deals. So Colin also made tons of money with his sponsorship deals.

Furthermore, he got some amount from his video games, Colin McRae Rally.

Social Media Presence

Hall of Famer Colin McRae, although he is not available on any social media platforms, his website, which was active before his death, is still active today.

FAQs

What was the reason behind Helicopter Crash?

Not an exact reason was found but, it is doubted that the pilot might be flying at high speed and low height and got stuck in trees.

How many died in the Helicopter Crash?

Colin McRae, his five-year-old son, Johnny, and his two friends, Graeme Duncan and Ben Porcelli, died in the Helicopter Crash.