The last couple of weeks have been jam-packed with very relevant and interesting automotive news including the sudden departure of Toyota's highest ranking non-Japanese executive, Jim Press to the Belgian Grand Prix and the Frankfurt auto show.
All of the news, however, was quickly put back into perspective when it was announced that 1995 World Rally Champion Colin McRae was killed when the helicopter he was piloting crashed near his home in Scotland. Tragically, McRae's son as well as two family friends were also killed in the accident.
McRae was a very much admired Scotsman, father and revered driver and condolences have been pouring in from around the world with an impromptu procession of Subaru Imprezas outside the family's home. Jackie Stewart and David Couthard have been among those leading tributes.
In a strange twist of fate, Prodrive and Aston Martin head, David Richards experienced trouble with his helicopter less than 24 hours later when returning from the Belgian Grand Prix. The helicopter crashed onto its side, though Richards and his wife were unhurt. McRae was a driver under Richards on the Subaru team when he won his title in 1995.
Air travel may be statistically safer than driving a vehicle, especially when piloting a rally car, but given these two crashes and the recent downing of an airliner in Thailand, and it sure doesn't feel like it.
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