Motoring festival gives spark to Glasgow's economy

Glasgow's economy stands to receive a multi-million pound boost after thousands of petrolheads descended on the city this weekend.

A wide selection of motoring exotica and racing cars featured in the festival. Picture: Kevin Stewart

Organisers of the Ignition Festival of Motoring, which was taking place this Friday, Saturday and Sunday at the Scottish Event Campus, formerly the SECC, reported strong crowd numbers despite changeable weather conditions. It is the biggest event of its kind ever staged in Scotland.

A full track line-up saw more than 100 cars take to the streets around the campus, with highlights including a rally parade celebrating Scotland’s heritage in the sport, a collection of Formula One motors and a classic supercar parade.

Building on the success of 2016’s inaugural event, this year’s festival – organised by Brand Events – saw a number of additions including a “ride and drive zone”, offering motor enthusiasts the chance to test their skills on a range of driving experiences, as well as an indoor arcade which was hosting an array of games and experiences.

A Porsche 911 in Martini racing livery. Picture: Keven Stewart

Scots rally hero Jimmy McRae joined the proceedings in the Subaru Impreza made famous by his late son, the former World Rally Champion Colin McRae.

McRae senior gave fans a glimpse of his driving prowess before introducing five former competitors in the shape of "Rally Gods" Ari Vatanen, Stig Blomqvist, Miki Biasion, Markku Alen and Timo Salonen. Boasting six World Championships between them, the rally royalty were reacquainted with some of the machines that brought them such success in their heyday including the Audi Quattro SWB E2, Lancia Stratos and Peugot 205 T16.

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