Over 5,000 people came to the County of Fife, Scotland, to witness a gathering of various motor sport clans celebrating the 50th Anniversary of the Scottish Motor Racing Club. More precisely, the event was held at Scotland’s 1.3-mile demanding National Motor Racing Circuit, Knockhill. In driver terms, Scotland has, and continues to play, a major role in world motor racing. It is the birthplace of legendary multiple Formula One world champions Jim Clark and Sir Jackie Stewart, 1956 Le Mans winners Ninian Sanderson and Ron Flockhart, Innes Ireland (first Grand Prix winner for Team Lotus), and more recently Allan McNish, David Coulthard, and Dario Franchitti.
Sir Jackie Stewart, who drove Tyrrell 001 at Knockhill, said, “I have often been asked about the contributory factors of what makes us good racing drivers. I think it’s the water, the air is pretty good as well, but it’s really the road system. In this very small country, people are brought up driving on these tiny roads. Good car control is a necessity to cope with the varying weather conditions, they need to be precise. The Scottish mentality, great determination to do well, and always being focused, play their part in our makeup. As for the Scottish Motor Racing Club, what a terrific institution! I have been privileged to be its president for the past 38 years. Many world-class drivers have originated from it.”
Ecurie Eccose was a prominent exhibitor with its resplendent transporter that has been restored to its former glory. Many of the team cars and drivers were present including Jimmy Stewart (brother of Sir Jackie) with the C-type Jaguar and his 1953 British GP Cooper-Bristol. Present boss Hugh McCaig paid tribute to founder David Murray, “David worked tirelessly putting all his money and energy into the club to make it what it was. In its heyday, Ecurie Eccose had well over 6,000 supporters worldwide. Toward the end, he still kept bankrolling the team, which was unfortunate because they would race and then think about the expense later. In this day and age, we have to count the pennies before committing ourselves to racing. I’m a more “canny” Scot—but not a mean one. One thing for sure, there has to be a sense of humor involved in what we do.”
It was wholly appropriate that the feature race of the day, the eighth round of the BRDC Historic Sportscar Championship, was dominated by a Scotsman, Jamie McIntyre in his Rejo Mk IV.
by Mike Jiggle
