Stewart calls on sponsors to support young Scots

Published on Friday 21 July 2006 01:34

SIR Jackie Stewart believes that unless corporate cash gets behind Scotland's young racing drivers, the nation's track record of producing world champions will hit the skids and stall.

The 67-year-old triple Formula 1 world champion, who will drive his title-winning Tyrrell 001-Ford for the first time on a track for 35 years at the inaugural Classic SpeedFair at Knockhill on Sunday, is in no doubt Scots companies must put their hands in their pockets.

"We as Scots all love to bask in the reflective glory of having a high profile world champion, but how many do we actually have?" Stewart explained yesterday. "Huge amounts of money gets pumped into football, while rugby and golf get a disproportionate amount of cash when compared to success on the course or on the pitch.

"When was the last time we had a world champion in football, rugby or golf?

"Yet in motorsport, Scotland is in the enviable position of having a stunning track record of success in terms of producing world champions like Jim Clark, Colin McRae, Robert Reid, Louise Aitken-Walker and myself.

"The problem is though that the current crop of successful young Scots racing drivers, such as Edinburgh's Robin Liddell, are progressing so far and then running out of sponsorship just before they are set to break through into the big time.

"People in business are too quick to take the view that motorsport is a pastime for the rich, but that couldn't be further from the truth. Yes it's an expensive sport, but why should talented young drivers in Scotland be penalised simply because they can't afford to take their racing on to the next level?

"Just think of the global coverage a Scottish company would enjoy if it got behind the next Scottish world champion."

Stewart, who won the last of his three world titles in 1973, admitted that being reunited with the Tyrrell 001 will be an emotional experience. "It's going to bring back a lot of memories," admitted the Scot. "This was Ken Tyrrell's first Formula 1 car and it's a major part of my success. To drive it at Knockhill on Sunday will be a very special moment in my life."

Stewart will be principal guest at a dinner in Edinburgh this evening to mark the 50th anniversary of the Scottish Motor Racing Club of which he has been president for 38 years. Before that, Stewart's car will be part of a cavalcade of world championship winners on Edinburgh's Princes Street later today.