Bathgate Boys bag SMRC awardsposted in SMRC04 | 12 | 2011
THE BATHGATE BOYS — Dario and Marino Franchitti, and cousin Paul di Resta — took centre stage at the annual Scottish Motor Racing Club Awards in Edinburgh.
The gala event, held at the Balmoral Hotel, was attended by a sell-out crowd of 315 people, including double Le Mans 24-Hours winner Allan McNish, British Touring Car Championship runner-up Gordon Shedden, American sportscar racer Ryan Dalziel and GP3 race winner, Lewis Williamson from Golspie.
Dario Franchitti, who won the US-based IndyCar Championship for a fourth time this year, received the night's main award, the John Romanes Trophy
The Scot received the cherished trophy — awarded to the driver who has displayed 'excellence in motorsport throughout his career' — for the third time, the first British driver to do so.
“This is a terrific honour for me to receive this award from the club," Franchitti, who has also won the Indy500 twice, said. "This award is very special."
And the 38-year-old Scot reflected on the tragic events in final race of the season in which his close friend Dan Wheldon was killed.
Scot Dario Franchitti vows to race on
"Those few hours immediately after the crash were perhaps the toughest I've had to deal with in my racing career," he said.
"I'd lost a close friend, someone I'd been chatting to and laughing with just before the race. Events like that put motor racing and championships into perspective.
"It was tough. Getting back into the car to drive the memorial five laps in honour of Dan, with all the teams' pitcrews lined up alongside the track was almost impossible."
But Franchitti also had words of praise for his cousin Di Resta, the 25-year-old who has impressed everyone with his performances in his rookie Formula One season.
"I never doubted Paul would be the success he is," Franchitti continued. "I've watched him grow and mature through karting, into single-seaters, then into DTM, and now Formula One.
Scots F1 ace Paul di Resta reflects on 2011
"People used to laugh when they heard me say Paul would be a world champion. Now they've seen exactly what he can do, I think they're thinking the same thing."
Di Resta, who is tipped to receive this season's Formula One Rookie of the Year Award, was awarded the coveted Ecurie Ecosse Hubcap.
"I've never received this award before," Di Resta, expected to be confirmed as a Sahara Force India racer for 2012, along with German Nico Hulkenberg, said.
"The past 12 months have been fantastic. I've really enjoyed my first season in F1, and hopefully we can continue to grow and improve next year.
"The team finished sixth in the constructors' championship, the highest they've ever achieved. Now we're aiming for at least fifth next year."
The other principal awards included the Border Motor Racing Club Trophy, awarded to the Scot who scored the most SMRC points in the season and which was won by the legendary Jim Clark in 1957, which went to Kenny Thirlwall.
The East Lothian racer dominated the Scottish Formula Ford Championship winning all 14 rounds.
Edinburgh's David Sleigh lifted the Celtic Speed Scottish Mini Cup, while Alloa's Carol Brown won the Students' Charity Quaich.
And Aberdeen father and son, Jim and Glynn Geddie, received the Williams Lyons Trophy after winning the British GT Championship on their Ferrari.
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Jim McGill
CAPTION: The cream of Scottish motorsport (from left) Lewis Williamson, Dario Franchitti, Ryan Dalziel, Paul di Resta and SMRC President Allan McNish — at the awards dinner. Photo: Jim Moir.