GoMotor Racing targets young Scots posted in SMRC07 | 12 | 2013

    SCOTLAND HAS LONG HAD a history of world success in motorsport, and now the seeds are being sown to find, nurture and develop the next generation of Scottish racing stars.

    A new campaign by the Scottish Motor Racing Club, GoMotor Racing, and backed by one of the country's largest car dealership groups, John Clark Motor Group, is at the heart of the ambitious bid.

    Scotland's position on the international motorsport stage remains strong, and as a country we continue to punch above our weight, despite a continued lack of funding.

    Of course, funding — and sponsorship — in motorsport, even at the highest level, Formula One, is in the headlines at the moment with Bathgate's Paul di Resta set to be eased out of his Sahara Force India seat for 2014 by Sergio Perez.

    Despite the talented Di Resta enjoying his best-ever season in F1, Perez brings with him in excess of £10 million of Mexican sponsors' cash.

    This year marks 50 years since iconic Scot Jim Clark won the first of his two F1 world titles, and 40 years since Jackie Stewart won the last of his three championships.

    Since then, Duns' Louise Aitken-Walker won the Ladies World Rally Championship in 1990; Colin McRae lifted the WRC crown in '95, followed by Perth's Robert Reid co-driving Richard Burns to the title in 2001. Bathgate's Dario Franchitti, of course, also won three Indy500s and four IndyCar titles in the States.

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    This year Scotland gained another motorsport world champ, when three-times Le Mans 24-Hours winner Allan McNish won the FIA World Endurance Championship.

    And according McNish (pictured), the current SMRC president, the timing of the GoMotor Racing campaign couldn't be better.

    "It's important we get off our backsides and take motorsport to the people, rather than waiting for them to come to the circuits," the 43-year-old from Dumfries, who will miss this evening's annual SMRC Awards Dinner in Edinburgh, as he has to attend the FIA Awards in Paris, said.

    "The GoMotor Racing campaign by the SMRC is all about letting people get up close to the cars they normally just see whizzing past them at circuits like Knockhill.

    "My generation is now getting towards the end of their productive life, if you like, and it's crucial now that we focus on creating and finding the next generation of Scottish motorsport stars.

    "We need to find the next, younger generation. But it's not only drivers, we also need the next generation of people who will breathe new life into Scottish motorsport right through the ranks.

    "That includes the likes of marshals. Remember, without marshals, who volunteer their services, there would be no motor racing."

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    After an initial 'toe-in-the-water' event 12 months ago, such was the ongoing interest in the GoMotor Racing campaign that John Clark — himself a former British Touring Car racer, and sponsor of Ecurie Ecosse — hosted two events recently at his dealerships in Aberdeen and Edinburgh.

    Not only were representatives from the various championships which are contested under the SMRC banner in attendance, but so too were a number of karting clubs, the entry-level for motorsport.

    “There was a whole cross-section of motorsport enthusiasts at both the GoMotor Racing nights," Chris Clark, group business development director, said.

    "From the complete beginner, looking to take part in track days or start circuit racing, through to the karting competitor, wanting advice on how to get the most out of their motor racing, we had a fantastic variety of people and ages, down to as young as 11-years-old.

    "We want to see Scottish motorsport continue to develop and grow both in popularity and success. 

    "Dad has a long association with Scottish motorsport and his passion for the sport is shared by many within the John Clark Motor Group. 

    "Supporting varied elements within the sport is a way to give something back. In addition, we're keen to help develop current and future talent, as well as those who might just want to try something new.”

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    Such is the continued interest in motorsport across Scotland that hundreds of people attended both the GoMotor racing evenings.

    And it wasn't just those keen to take their first step on the ladder. Double BTCC champ John Cleland; Ecurie Ecosse driver Alisdair McCaig; McLaren Autosport Young Driver of the Year, Lewis Williamson; British GT champ Glynn Geddie; European Formula Renault champ Ryan Sharp; and 14-year-old British Karting champ, Dean Macdonald, were amongst the Scots racers to attend.

    The driving force behind GoMotor Racing are SMRC stalwarts, Graham and Heather Brunton. The tireless duo, who moved from Edinburgh to Carnock in Fife, simply to be closer to their motorsport business at Knockhill, have been instrumental to the campaign.

    "The initial idea came from Heather and I," Brunton explained. "It was an open invitation not only to those already taking part in motorsport, but more importantly to get new people along. That way the sport in Scotland has every chance of continuing to grow.

    "This year we've seen bumper grids in all the SMRC championships, and they're already looking even healthier for 2014.

    "We took 14 different series race cars to each of the events. In doing that, our primary aim was to show there is a natural career progression available in Scotland, from karting right up to the very highest levels of motorsport."

    And the significance of allowing direct, close-up access to the race cars was summed up by McNish.

    "I remember as a boy having my photograph taken standing beside a racing car," he admitted, "and that's one of the things that fuelled my desire to become a racing driver.

    "Those memories were crucial in the development of my career, and life, and it's our responsibility to ensure we spark the interest, and create the same dreams and memories for the new generation of Scottish racing drivers."

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    Jim McGill

     

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