I may not have received any Valentines Cards on Februrary the 14th this year, but something just as surprising came through the letterbox that day in the shape of a letter from the SMRC confirming that I was to be one of the three recipients of the Legends Scholarship which is in its first year.

The Scholarship is a concept set up by the SMRC, Knockhill and Aly Hunter's Legends Racing group to provide backing to three newcomers to the Legends Championship providing funding worth around £1720 to each participant to go towards testing and hire of a Legend at the first three rounds of the 2007 Championship.

Murray Walker once said "Those who can, do it and those who can't, talk about it" but I'll be trying to do both!

PRESS RELEASE

Issued: 25/02/07
For Immediate Release
SCOTTISH LEGENDS MOTOR RACING SCHOLARSHIP

Chosen from a number of applicants who wrote in following advertisements in both the Scottish Motor Racing Club’s (SMRC) magazine and website, three lucky people have won scholarships worth £1720 to race at Scotland’s only Motor Racing Circuit, Knockhill, this season. Supported by the SMRC, Knockhill Racing Circuit and Legends Racing, the winners will be competing in the 1250cc motor bike engined Legends racing cars which are thought by many spectators to provide some of the most exciting racing at the circuit.

The winners of the scholarship are 19 year old Rory Bryant from Dalmeny and 27 year olds Gordon Mann and Mike Hogg from Perth, who each have varying levels of race experience. Hogg, for example, has no racing experience whatsoever. Speaking of the scholarship he noted; “I've always dreamt of making the switch from spectator to competitor, and this supported drive has made it a reality for which I'm very grateful.”

Commenting on the success of the competition, head of Legends Racing at Knockhill, Aly Hunter remarked; “This is the first year we have tried this and, although only initially advertised by the Scottish Motor Racing Club, we had a good response allowing us to choose a broad cross section of drivers”. When asked whether this would be a regular occurrence, he continued “I would like to think it could be, but we need to evaluate it later in the season and decide whether all the sponsors feel their support has been worth while”.

The first race the scholarship drivers will compete in is on Sunday the 8th of April, up until which they will be busy completing their ARDS test for their racing licence, as well as getting as much practice in the car as possible.

ENDS

I personally have a huge learning curve ahead of me having never raced anything before while Gordon Mann (who ironically runs the chip-shop in Perth I most frequent) has had a couple of outings in the Legends previously and Rory Bryant has had a successful tenure in karts for a few years. You can read driver profiles for Gordon and myself on this website and I've started keeping a blog which will document my adventures this year.