Monday 5th August 1968

Born on this day, Colin McRae, MBE, winner of the World Rally Championship Constructors’ title three times in succession in 1995, 1996 and 1997 with Subaru. He was the first British person and the youngest to win the World Rally Championship Drivers’ title, a record he still holds. After a four-year spell with the Ford Motor Co. team, which saw McRae win nine events, he moved to Citroën World Rally Team in 2003 where, despite not winning an event, he helped them win the first of their three consecutive manufacturers’ titles. McRae died in 2007 when he crashed his helicopter near his home. The accident also killed his son and two family friends.