Leading lights from the world of motor racing paid tribute yesterday to the “extraordinary spirit” of Colin McRae, the former World Rally champion, who died in a helicopter crash at the weekend.

His Twin Squirrel burst into flames after crashing in woodland in the grounds of his 17th-century mansion in Scotland on Saturday afternoon. Mr McRae’s five-year-old son, Johnny, also died, along with a six-year-old playmate and a 37-year-old friend of the family.

Witness reports indicated that the helicopter may have suffered a mechanical fault on its final approach to the house. Although conditions were blustery, it is thought unlikely that bad weather was to blame. Police said that the wreckage was barely recognisable as that of a helicopter.

Mr McRae, 39, is survived by his wife, Alison, and daughter, Hollie, aged 8. He was known for his fearless driving style and frequent high-speed accidents and owned a Lamborghini and a fleet of powerful motorcycles.

Described as “the first rallying superstar”, he claimed that his obsession with cars began at the age of 2. He won 25 races during his 17-year world rally championship career and achieved 42 podium finishes.

However, he was arguably more famous for the series of computer games he endorsed. He was a leading brand in the United States, where many fans had no idea that he was a real person. A former rival dubbed him the “Lara Croft of Rallying”.

Mr McRae’s father, Jimmy, also a former British rally champion, said: “Colin was a great son, a loving husband and a fantastic father. Johnny was a great wee guy, spending every spare minute with his dad, and it looked like he had the potential to carry on the family dynasty.”

Sir Jackie Stewart, the former Formula One champion, said: “It is a sad loss for Scotland of a real hero.”

David Coulthard, the Formula One driver, said: “The world is a sorrier place without him.”

The parents of Ben Porcelli, the six-year-old boy who also died in the crash, said that they were “absolutely devastated”. The fourth passenger was Graeme Duncan, who lived in France.

The group was returning from the village of Quarter, 12 miles away, where Mr McRae wanted to inspect a car engine. He was a qualified private helicopter pilot and said that, unlike his driving, he never took risks in the air. After a high-speed crash during a rally in 2002, he said: “I feel we should enjoy some of the benefits while we can. There’s no point having a healthy bank account when you’re 6ft under.”

A friend of Colin McRae escaped unhurt from another helicopter crash. David Richards, 55, head of the Subaru rally team, and his wife Karen, 53, were returning from the Belgian Grand Prix when their helicopter came down in a field near North Weald Airfield, Essex. Mr Richards is chairman of Prodrive, which runs the Subaru rally team, and met McRae when he raced for them. The helicopter had mechanical problems. “We are just thankful he and Karen are OK,” a Prodrive spokesman said.

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