"Down-to-earth and matter-of-fact, he had all the good Scottish traits." The words of David Coulthard following the death of his close friend seemed to chime with the sentiments of all those who knew Colin McRae.

As his widow Alison and daughter Hollie grieved in private last night, McRae's friends made public tributes.

"He was fearless, flamboyant, blindingly quick in the car," said David Coulthard, the Formula One driver, who was due to partner his friend in Team Scotland for the latest version of Race of Champions at Wembley Stadium later this year.

"He and Alison were good friends and I cannot imagine either without the other. We had some great times and his passing is a terrible blow.

"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."

McRae's passion for Scotland ran as deep as his love of racing. Alex Salmond, the First Minister, recognised this. "He was an outstanding Scottish sportsman of international stature and achievement", he said.

"His death is a great tragedy, and my thoughts and condolences are with all the families and friends bereaved by this terrible accident."

Sir Jackie Stewart, the former Formula One world champion, said: "Helen, my wife, and I are very sad to hear the tragic news. Both Paul and Mark, my sons, were good friends with Colin also.

"It's a sad loss for Scotland, of a real hero and an immensely popular friend."

McRae first captured the public imagination when he won the World Rally Championship in 1995 in the famous Subaru Impreza 555. He helped Subaru to win successive constructors' titles between 1995 and 1997 at a time when Dave Richards was team principal.

Nicky Grist, his co-driver since 1997, said: "He was such a great character."

Speaking about his time with the former world champion, he said: "I have to say they were the best times of my life."

"Johnny adored his father and loved everything about cars. I am sure he was the new rally driver for the McRae family."

Colin Hilton, chief executive of the Motor Sports' Association, the governing body of UK motor sport, said: "Colin's 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."

Motorcyclist Robbie Allan, 65, from Lesmahagow in Lanarkshire, is a family friend of the McRae family. He said: "I've known him since he was a wee boy when I raced against his dad. He was such a quiet, nice bloke who had a tremendous ability. He was more than brilliant."

Meanwhile the Federation Internationale de l'Automobile (FIA), the governing body of world motor sport, issued a statement which read: "Colin McRae made an enormous contribution to motor sport and his spectacular driving style endeared him to fans throughout the world."