Volume 1. Chapter 1. - Scottish Motorsports.

After reading the introduction to this section, you should by now be feeling some pride in the fact that Scotland has greatly contributed to Motorsport, with her sons of invention, and drivers of great skill and daring. Our intrepid forefathers, ever competitive, looked for many ways to hone their skills, and invented many a game that later developed into a modern day form of Motorsport competition. The Reverse Hill Climb for one, started as a singular run at top speed down a hill, brae, or mountain, as brakes were invented after the competitors complained about the sudden stop at the bottom of the incline, or the wet landings in the rivers and burns. It was not until much later, when automotive power was available, that this fine style of racing, was abandoned for the much safer Up Hill Climb as we know it today. (See graphic of Wallace as Grand Marshall of the Reverse Hill Climb of Stirling.)

Another wonderful event was Border Reiving, later to be the source of the name of one Scottish Racing team, The Border Reivers, of which the Legendary Jim Clark drove for. Border Reiving entailed the use of driving skill, map reading, and much cunning, as the purpose of the event was to arrive at a predetermined location, load as many sheep as you could into the back of your vehicle, and race like hell back home. Now some wimpy English types, resorted to calling this sheep stealing, and that only goes to show that the English never did have any sense of humor, or sport. I for one like to think that this game was the precursor to International Rallying, of which Scotland is world class. I refer to the recent accomplishments of Colin McRae (World Champion) as well as his Father, and younger brother.

Road racing of course was the creme de la creme of all competition, and got it’s start very early in Scotland. The rules have changed much over the centuries, due to the namby pamby FIA, FOCA, Bernie Ecclestone, and his poncy pal Max Mosley. All these rules of safety, and slow the boys down with skinny tires, less down force, no turbos, and the like. What the hell was wrong with slicing the head off the boyo that you just overtook, with a fine swing of the old Claymore ? ( Broad sword for the illiterate in our fold.) A bit of real blood and gore, would stop all the slimy tactics, and poor excuses made by a certain German type driver of today, who shall remain anonymous.

But be that as it may, I shall try to be open minded, and continue with your education. In the following chapters I will try to give my fellow Thistlebutts the true and unvarnished history of our fine sport, and the grand people that contributed to it.

The most renowned racing team in Scottish Motorsport history of course was and still is Ecurie Ecosse, winners of Le Mans, (The only privateer team ever to do so.) And many other classic races, from the 1950's, through today. The members, drivers, crews, of Ecurie Ecosse are legion, including World Champions Jimmy Clark, and Jackie Stewart. ( A later chapter will give a full listing of this teams drivers, and some of the more outstanding accomplishments attained by a private team of Scottish gentleman racers.)

According to Hamish, who was attending an early team meeting, ( Held in a great wee pub in Edinburgh’s Royal Mile.) David Murray, team founder, gathered the lads around him, and gave forth with the team credo, "This is a racing team for Scottish gentlemen drivers, and we are no gonna hae any of them poncy English drivers in oor team, like that poofter Girling Foss or his likes, mucking aboot wae oor motor cars." The standing ovation that erupted, almost got the lot of them thrown out of the pub, or maybe it was the smashing of beer mugs in the fireplace, dowsing the wee bit coal fire, that had the rest of the patrons upset.

A three car team of Jaguar XK120's with owner drivers, Ian Stewart, Bill Dobson, and Sir James Scott-Douglass, team manager David Murray, and chief mechanic, Wilkie Wilkinson was formed, and competed in their first event as a team, at Charterhall on the 6^th. Of April, 1952.

Chapter two will continue with some more history of Ecurie Ecosse, (Team Scotland to the great unwashed.) So keep checking your club web site.

Jimmy, and faithful guide .

INTRO , EXIT to S/\C , CHAPTER 2
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