A massive rally to commemorate world champion driver Colin McRae was today hailed as "fantastic" by organisers.

Hundreds of motor racing fans joined the McRae Gathering as it travelled across the UK in memory of the rally star who died when the helicopter he was flying crashed last year.

The cars set off from McRae's home town of Lanark yesterday and were spurred on by flag-waving well-wishers who lined the route.

McRae, 39, died along with his five-year-old son Johnny last September.

Family friend Ben Porcelli, six, and Graeme Duncan, 37, were also killed in the crash near McRae's home.

The drivers spent yesterday at the base of the World Rally Team in Banbury, Oxfordshire.

Hundreds of cars continued on their way to the Prodrive test track at Warwick today, where they broke a record for the world's biggest car mosaic.

A total of 1,086 cars spent three hours being organised to form an enormous image of Colin McRae alongside a Saltire, the Scottish flag.

The huge display was visible to passengers arriving at Birmingham airport.

Heavy rain failed to dampen the racing enthusiasts' spirits and organisers said the event had gone well.

Organiser Ben Sayer said: "The day was fantastic. It could not have been better."

The drivers are setting off for home this evening.

View our slide show of the Colin McRae rally

It is hoped the event will raise thousands of pounds for the McRae family's officially nominated charities.

Father-of-two McRae was regarded as a local hero in his hometown of Lanark after winning the World Rally Championship in 1995.

He achieved 25 WRC wins in his lengthy racing career and gave his name to a hit computer game.

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