Poem to rally legend in service

A poem written by a south Shropshire motoring enthusiast in tribute to the champion driver Colin McRae was read at a memorial service organised by his family.

David James, of Newington Way, Craven Arms, wrote the poem in memory of his sporting hero, who was killed in a helicopter crash two weeks ago, along with his son, Johnny, and two family friends

Mr James posted the poem on a website as a letter of condolence and Mr McRae's family read it at a memorial service a week ago.

Mr James said: "I wrote the poem as a tribute to my sporting hero Colin McRae.

"I posted it on his website as a letter of condolence and I was fortunate enough the family thought it good enough to read at the memorial service. It was broadcast on television and radio."

Mr James said Mr McRae had been a true hero and fantastic sportsman and his death was as ill-timed as it was sudden.

"He will be missed greatly by his army of fans throughout this country and the rest of the world," said Mr James.

"I think the poem summed up what we, as true fans of rallying, thought when hacking through frozen forests early in the morning to catch a glimpse of our hero.

"Colin was a legend and they don't come along very often. I was glad to be around when he was at his best. Thoughts go out to all the families involved."

Mr James, who works in the engineering industry, said he had met Mr McRae several times.

He said: "I'm a long-standing rallying enthusiast and have been heavily involved in local clubs.

"I've also served as a marshall. I met Colin a handful of times and he was always an absolute gentleman. He was a considerate man and it is a tragedy that he died."

Mr McRae was awarded the MBE for his services to rallying and was regarded as one of the finest rally drivers that there has ever been.

By Andy Richardson

David's tribute:

Up at five and really so keen,

To see the bond of man and machine

Three 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 it's 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 that's what we all thought

Now you're in heaven with your boy and at rest

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