THE motorsport world is in mourning tonight after rally driver Colin McRae and his son made their final journey together today, side-by-side in a single coffin.

Sporting stars were among almost 200 friends and relatives to attend the funeral of the former world champion who died in a helicopter crash with five-year-old son Johnny and two family friends.

Formula 1 racing legend Sir Jackie Stewart, football stars Barry Ferguson and Ally McCoist and IndyCar champion Dario Franchitti were among the mourners.

Figures from the rallying world including former world champion Ari Vatanen, Mr McRae's co-driver Nicky Grist and his former team boss David Richards also attended.

The private service took place at Daldowie Crematorium, near Glasgow.

Six-year-old Ben Porcelli, a friend of Johnny, also died in the crash, along with Graeme Duncan, 37, who lived in France and had gone to school with Mr McRae.

Ben's parents Mark and Karen attended todays service, just two days after their own son's funeral.

Mr McRaes widow, Alison, and their nine-year-old daughter, Hollie, were among 500 mourners who attended Ben's funeral earlier this week.

Today, Mrs McRae was ashen-faced and looked solemn as she entered Daldowies East Chapel clutching the hand of her daughter.

Hollie carried with her a single, white rose.

Following the service, which lasted almost an hour, his father Jimmy embraced mourners as they gathered outside the chapel.

The service was conducted by family friend Reverend Tom Houston, who married Mr McRae and his wife, and Rev Steven Reid, Johnny's chaplain at Underbank Primary School in Lanark.

An address was given by Mr McRae's close friend and colleague Robbie Head.

A note on the back of the Order of Service said: "Alison, Hollie and both families would like to thank everyone for their love, support and help throughout this tragedy."

A public memorial celebration will take place in the driver's home town of Lanark on Sunday.

The church service will be shown on screens in the town centre where thousands of locals are expected to turn out to pay their respects.

Mr McRae had been flying the helicopter when it came down in the grounds of his Jerviswood home, about a mile north of Lanark on Saturday, September 15.

The Air Accidents Investigation Branch has launched an inquiry into the crash.

Mr McRae was Britain's first rally world champion in 1995 and is the son of five-times British rallying champion Jimmy McRae.