SMRC targets young Scotsposted in SMRC17 | 11 | 2015
SCOTTISH MOTORSPORT WILL reach out across the country this week in an effort to attract the next generation of champions. GoMotor Racing is an initiative created by former Edinburgh duo Graham and Heather Brunton, and operated under the Scottish Motor Racing Club.
This week, coinciding with the 20th anniversary of Lanark legion Colin McRae winning his only World Rally Championship, GoMotor Racing will host two events across Scotland.
On Tuesday evening (Nov 17), the event will be held in Aberdeen; then on Thursday (Nov 19) the event moves to Edinburgh. Double British Touring Car champ Gordon Shedden (pictured) from Dalgety Bay will attend both events.
The campaign is also backed by one of the country's largest car dealership groups, John Clark Motor Group. As a result, the Tuesday event will be held in the company's new £9 million Audi Terminal in Aberdeen, while the Group's Pentland Land Rover centre at Newbridge hosts Thursday's event.
Related: GoMotor Racing targets young Scots
One of the core ideas behind the initiative is to gather offer an information link for young drivers who have cut their teeth in karting, but have little knowledge of the next steps they should take to move into car racing.
"Our primary aim is to show there is a natural career progression available in Scotland, from karting right up to the very highest levels of motorsport," Graham Brunton explained.
"We're working hard to break down the barriers between cars and karts, and trying to help make it a more logical ladder.
"It's important to not only maintain the high number of quality drivers we already have competing in SMRC events, but by getting new people along we ensure the sport in Scotland has every chance of continuing to grow.
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"But the event isn't just for budding young drivers. Scottish marshals — the heart blood of any motorsport — will have a recruitment stand, and it's significant that over the last two years we've run GoMotor Racing they report they've managed to get new blood into their club."
In addition to BTCC champ Shedden, the events will have a collection of karts from Grampian Kart Club and both West of Scotland Kart Club and East of Scotland Kart Club.
There will also be a selection of Scottish championship-winning drivers and their cars on show, including Beatsons Formula Ford 1600; Celtic Speed Mini Cooper Cup; Scottish Ford Fiesta; Scottish Sports & Saloons; Scottish Classics, and BMW Compact Cup.
Other notable Scottish racing drivers, including Rory Butcher, Ryan Sharp and Sandy Mitchell will also be in attendance to answer questions from inquisitive new, young and up-and-coming Scottish racing drivers.
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Jim McGill