Colin’s cult

Back in January 2004, I joined a cult.  Entry came in the form of purchasing a Subaru.  Last September, Colin McRae and his son, Jimmy, were killed in a helicopter crash.  On August 30, 2008, over a thousand Subarus caravaned to Prodrive’s Warwick facility where they assembled to write his name with their vehicles and form the Scottish flag, the Saltire.  For those unfamiliar with his successes, Colin McRae won the 1995 FIA WRC Drivers’ Championship driving a Subaru Impreza.  His efforts also helped Subaru win three straight FIA WRC Manufacturers’ titles from 1995-1997.  The 25 victories he accumulated place him fourth on the all-time WRC win list.  He also won a silver medal in the inaugural X Games Rally event in 2006 despite rolling his Subaru Impreza WRX STI rally car, which was able to keep going almost as if nothing happened.

Here’s Inside Line‘s news article about the tribute to the late rally legend.

Convoy of Subarus Stretches 30 Miles in Honor of Rally Driver Colin McRae

BANBURY, England — Nearly two years after his death, fans of Colin McRae turned up with more than 1,000 Subarus to celebrate the life of the Scottish rally star with a record-setting convoy.

The convoy was led by McRae’s father, Jimmy McRae, and traveled 9 hours and 300 miles from McRae’s hometown to the headquarters of Prodrive in honor of the rally hero. McRae was the first Briton to win the World Rally Championship Driver’s title and helped the Prodrive-led Subaru factory rally team win three straight WRC Constructors’ titles. He was killed in a helicopter crash in September 2007.

At the Prodrive headquarters, 1,086 Subarus were arranged to spell McRae’s name and form the Scottish flag, stretching more than half a mile in length and setting a world record. A second world record was set for the largest parade of cars as the Subarus left from the Prodrive test track. An estimated $70,000 was raised for McRae charities at the event.

What this means to you: McRae’s legacy as a fan-favorite rally driver continues to grow well after his death. — Eric Tingwall, Correspondent

Fifth Gear‘s Vicki Butler-Henderson covered the event for the show.  Enjoy this great clip of their coverage of the late Scotsman.