Mourning Champions

I very rarely discuss motorsport on my blog, except on those occasions when there is something monumental or daft to do with one of ‘my’ drivers or teams from work. Indeed watching and following the series ‘my boys’ race in tends to use up my motorsport credits and I don’t tend to watch other (car) racing as much these days for fear of being motorsported out.

However this week my heart sunk with the ongoing farce that is Formula One and the punishment handed out to the McLaren team over the incidents of spying on Ferrari. I am not going to go into the argument of the case itself because frankly I have got to the point of not caring.

The beautiful lustre of Formula One became more and more tarnished to me over the last decade. Its joie de vie left and it seemed the true sport was become all engulfed by petulant sods and extreme commercialism. But now the McLaren name, one I had always held in high esteem founded by the wonderful Bruce McLaren and oh those glory days when Senna was there, now it is tainted and Formula One continues to dwell in its own self importance. I was disgusted but moreso I was just plain sad. I feel dreadfully British about this – my chosen form of protest against this slow murder of a sport I once adored would be to stand in front of the perpetrators shaking my fist and with a cross face shout ‘boo, shame on you, shame’ in a very judgemental way. As it is I will just switch off once and for all I fear.

However, the sadness of that farce was soon to become nothing in the light of a true tragedy.

The death of Colin McRae has left me feeling gutted. Much of my youth was spent sat in the rain, in cold forests watching rallying. Following the Rally circus for miles, carefully studying the maps as if we were a sub class of the actual competition! Weekends with friends across the country, pub lunches, fresh air and roaring cars. Happy days.

Colin was a huge idol of ours. Would it sound odd to say I still have a life size standee of him stored under a bed? I defy there to be a nicer family than the McRaes in motorsport – Jimmy and his sons Colin and Alister are the epitome of all that is good in motorsport.

All successful in their own right, Colin’s success on the international stage lifted British Rallying to a new level. And with this wonderful success and just rewards did he or his family change? No they continued to support British talent and give back to the sport they loved. Did Colin disappear with his spoils to a tax haven? Nope, home was Lanark. He’s a huge loss to motorsport and it is easy to simply list his sporting achievements but the loss to his family and community is no doubt beyond description. He was a good ‘un you wish there were more of.

The loss of his 5 year old son Johnny in the crash is a tragedy you cannot bear to think on, as is the loss of his friend Ben, 6. They had their life still to come and with people like the McRaes in their life I have no doubt one full of love, support, kindness and opportunity. My heart goes out to all the family and friends of those involved.

As I mourn such a great champion and good man who brought me such excitement and happiness, it seals I have no energy to give to the vulgarity of the F1 farce.

After a few tears today I am thinking back to those happy days. Here are some bad photos of good memories.

Colin and his brother Alister signing on at Birmingham before the GB Rally.

Colin and Juha Kankkunen sharing a joke at some ungodly hour in the morning in the middle of Birmingham.

My favourite photo I ever took of Colin, I don’t know why but the illuminated Next sign above his head just makes me laugh. It was cold, it was raining, it was about 5.30am in Chester!

motorsport, motor+racing, F1, Formula+One, McLaren, Ferrari, Senna, Ayrton+Senna, Bruce+McLaren, Rallying, Colin+McRae, McRae, World+Rally+Champion, Rally+Championship

Comments

[Stegbeetle]

I can't pretend to be a huge fan of any kind of motorsport but I knew who Colin McCrae was.
All the tributes I've heard or read (including a rather moving one by David Coulthard) suggest that you're right in your take of him as "a good 'un".
Shame.
My condolences to the McCrae family and the many friends whose lives will be that bit poorer for Colin's loss.