Every once in a while, a driver does something so extraordinary that it’s remembered for years to come. Scottish rally legend Colin McRae was one such motorsports figure. He was the first British driver to win the World Rally Championship in 1995, becoming the sport’s youngest winner at the age of 27. However, some might argue that an achievement as monumental as this wasn’t even his greatest triumph behind the wheel of the car. Many also remember his incredible roll-and-go during the 2006 X Games.

It’s been 18 years since that iconic maneuver, but those who saw it live were left awestruck at McRae’s sheer ingenuity. The Lanark native showed incredible presence of mind to make the best out of a bad situation, showing incredible commitment to succeed.

Colin McRae’s do-or-die attitude won over fans

The stage was set and all eyes were on Colin McRae. With Travis Pastrana having set the benchmark in the Rally Super Special, the Scottish driver was looking to play catch up, and the signs were looking good. Just 15 seconds into the sprint, the rally legend had already secured a 0.77-second lead and was getting faster with every split. However, that’s when disaster struck, as his car hit the dirt with a little more speed than needed, forcing his Subaru WRX STI to roll over before landing on its wheels once again.

Miraculously, Colin McRae carried on like nothing happened, taking it all in his stride and driving to the finish line. Ultimately, the Scotsman finished just 0.52 seconds behind Pastrana, highlighting just how close he got despite the incident. The rally driver was true to his saying, “When in doubt, flat out” at the 2006 X Games, showing incredible commitment to overcome his rival. Pastrana was left amazed at McRae’s maneuver as well, going on to say, “Dude, Colin McRae is straight up a God. He rolls the car and I didn’t even know if he lost time. That guy’s amazing!”

To say that Colin McRae was a fan favorite would be an understatement. The Scottish driver was known for his flamboyant lifestyle, which combined with his fearless driving, made him quite a charismatic figure. His love for motorsports began at the age of seven when he discovered off-road motorbikes, eventually swapping them for vehicles with four wheels. Racing was in his blood, as his father, Jimmy McRae was a five-time British Rally Champion. It seems like the apple didn’t fall far from the tree, as the Scotsman also dominated the competition, winning titles in 1991 and 1992.

Having had several brushes with danger in the past, eventually one proved to be fatal. At the age of 39, McRae along with his five-year-old son Johnny and two family friends tragically lost their lives in a helicopter crash. Such is the legacy that he has left behind that, even though he passed away in September 2007, flags emblazoned with his name are still present in many rally stages all over the world. The Lanark native has given fans plenty of good memories to remember him by, which they continue to reflect on, almost two decades after his death.

McRae overcame Sainz for the World Rally Championship

Colin McRae was a bit of a daredevil. Also known as McCrash, the Scot drove his car like a toy, his fearless driving style ensuring fans were constantly at the edge of their seats. He began competing in the World Rally Championship in 1993, winning his first race that year at Rally New Zealand. Throughout his career, the racing driver secured a total of 25 wins in the WRC, showing his racing prowess against the best in the world. However, his standout achievement remains his championship win in 1995 alongside co-driver Derek Ringer.

With the rivalry against Carlos Sainz Sr. at an all-time high, the tension was palpable going into the final race of the year. With both Sainz and McRae level on points, the race effectively became a winner-takes-all, and two punctures didn’t stop the Scottish driver from achieving his dream. Recalling the result, Colin McRae’s father Jimmy said, “I was at the end of the last stage biting my fingernails, and my wife and the whole family were there, it was such a relief to see him coming down the last hundred yards of the stage and we knew that he won the rally and I was in tears.”

While he failed to replicate the result in subsequent years, McRae finished runner-up in 1996 and 1997, before joining Ford two years later. The racing driver managed to secure nine more victories with the American manufacturer before finally closing the curtains on his illustrious World Rally Championship career in 2003. Even though there have been plenty of iconic British motorsport figures since then, such as Lewis Hamilton, Tai Woffinden, and Jonathan Rea, few will have the privilege of experiencing the same affection as Colin McRae.