My tribute to a legend in rallying.

It was a sad day indeed when i learned of the deaths of Colin and Johnny Mcrae and two of their friends in a helicopter crash in Scotland. I had met Colin on odd occasions in my duties as a Motorsports Scrutineer and found him a great guy with time for everyone around him, a rare quality in a World Champion at the top of their game.
On hearing the sad news i put pen to paper immediately and wrote exactly what Colin had meant to me. I posted this on the internet book of condolences and was honoured beyond belief when i heard Colin's friend Campbell Roy reading my words in the pulpit at the Memorial service held in the middle of Carlisle for Colin and his boy.
A mixture of joy and terrible sadness is all i can remember. Since then the poem has been published in many places and websites all over the world, all with my blessing, it was written to be shared by a fan who enjoyed what Colin brought to the sport i love, rallying. The sport is so much worse off without him he was a complete one-off.

RIP Colin and Jonny and your two friends.

Tribute to a legend.

Up at five and really so keen,

To see the bond of man and machine

3 hours to drive to get to the start

We all have a laugh and so full of heart

We know it is early, the weather is damp

But we need to see cars come off the ramp

Through fog and rain we push on with style

We know the main man is due in a while

Then comes a whistle, the marshal says time

A car is now coming through forests of pine

Its howl is so frightening, like a banshee on heat

There is no escape, as we shuffle our feet

And suddenly now its why we are here

McRae over crest of course in top gear!

Its been worth the wait, the weather, the toil,

To see the brave Scot here on home soil

But now there is silence, and its deafening too

Cos you and the wee man have bid us adieu.

So rest in peace Colin you and your lad

You gave us your best, John be proud of your dad.

The memories you left us are above all the rest

You shone like a star, just simply the best.

Colin you"re a mate and thats what we all thought

It made you a hero and that just cant be bought.

Now your in heaven with your boy and at rest

But you left us the true meaning of FLAT OVER CREST!.

God Bless Colin and Johnny Rest in Peace.