World Rally Champion Colin McRae, killed in a weekend helicopter crash near his Scottish home, was "fearless and flamboyant" according to fellow Scottish racing driver David Coulthard.

Strathclyde Police revealed the 39-year-old former world champion, his son Johnny, five, and two family friends died when the aircraft he was piloting crashed in flames on his estate in Lanark, Scotland.

Colin leaves his wife Alison and daughter Hollie.

Formula One ace Coulthard was due to partner McRae - maintaining his WRC hero status in a succession of computer games - in Team Scotland for the latest version of the Race of Champions at Wembley Stadium in December.

Both had been regular participants in the Goodwood Festival of Speed.

McRae was British Rally Champion in 1991 with a turbocharged Subaru Legacy, won the World Championship with Subaru in 1995 - being made an MBE the following year - and was runner-up in 1996, 1997 and 2001, driving for teams including Ford, Toyota and Skoda.

He had also competed in the Paris-Dakar Rally and the Le Mans 24-Hour sports car classic, and after standing down from driving in the World Rally Championship was developing his own rally car, the R4 which debuted at Goodwood this year.

Red Bull Racing driver Coulthard said: "He was fearless, flamboyant, blindingly quick in the car.

"He was very down-toearth, matter-of-fact that he was so good.

He had all the good Scottish traits.

"I competed in the Race of Champions with him because of my respect for him - I remember him urging me on, telling me to get the finger out for Scotland.

"We had some great times and his passing is terrible blow for the McRae family and everyone who came in contact with him.

Colin was a remarkable man who wore his heart on this sleeve and was the epitome of a racer; fearless and attacking, yet he remained true to his roots and grounded despite the international fame and recognition that he achieved.

"The world is a sorrier place without him.

" Colin Hilton, chief executive of the Motor Sports Association - the governing body of UK motor sport - said: "Colin was an inspiration to all who knew him and to millions around the world who knew of him.

"His energy, commitment and extraordinary talent brought him domestic and international success, while his uncompromising style and determination made him the hero of fans everywhere.

"Throughout a glorious career, that saw him rise from the grassroots of the sport to the pinnacle of the world stage, Colin was always a great ambassador for Scottish and UK motor sport.

"Since retiring from the WRC, he has continued to dedicate himself to the sport, in particular the development of the next generation of rally drivers and co-drivers."