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McNish Visits Knockhill for SMRC Event

19 October 2009 | Posted in News


Allan McNish re-visited his roots last weekend (18 Oct) when the Dumfries motor racing ace visited the Knockhill circuit in his role as President of the Scottish Motor Racing Club.

Audi "factory" driver McNish is arguably the world's best sportscar driver and attended the SMRC's final race meeting of the year for a "behind the scenes" look at what it takes to organise an event.

The car racing scene in Scotland has never been stronger with yesterday's (18 Oct) programme offering a superb range of action-packed racing from a variety of classes - and McNish came away mightily impressed with not only the driving skills of competitors but also the enthusiasm and commitment of the volunteer organisers.

"I had an absolutely fantastic day and saw how a race meeting was organised from behind the scenes," confirmed Allan who became the first Briton to win the Le Mans 24 Hours driving a diesel-engined sportscar in 2008 at the wheel of an Audi R10 TDI.

"It started at 7.30am with a marshals briefing for the 160 volunteers, male and female and of all ages, who stand out in all weather to ensure the event runs safely - if it wasn't for those guys we couldn't race.

"I visited the stewards office where, as a driver, you never want to be invited because it normally means you've done something wrong, the official timing facility where each car is timed both electronically and manually as a back up and observed the ‘technical' scrutineering of the cars. It made me appreciate and understand more fully what these guys do for us racing drivers from early in the day until late at night.

"During the day I walked around the paddock and I was greatly impressed with the enthusiasm of the competitors - it was a very informative and interesting day for me."

SMRC spokesman Mike How added: "Allan's presence was a great boost for all involved both on and off the track. The SMRC has had one of it's most successful years of racing despite the economic recession.

"We have an extremely loyal band of competitors who have put on some great racing and have attracted more individual sponsorship on cars than for some years due to all our Championships being televised on Motors TV."

The SMRC Annual Dinner and Awards Ceremony will be staged at the Sheraton Hotel, Festival Square, Edinburgh, on 5 December and is open to members and guests (£55 per ticket). E-mail How for further details (m.how@smrc-uk.com). href="mailto:m.how@smrc-uk.com">m.how@smrc-uk.com).>



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It was a great moral boost for all drivers to see Allan there. The legends garage really appreciated his help with the draw and see him speak to all the drivers especially the new drivers. My family have a great respect for Allan and his family for the support and following he has shown us over the years and look forward to more of the same. We hope that he continues with his success and that we see him again at Knockhill
Posted by Mason Family on 19 October 2009 at 12:24 PM
When you speak to Alan in person he speaks to you with great interest and shows great enthusiasm and passion for the position he has taken on from Sir Jackie Stewart as President of SMRC. You can sense the comittment he has for bettering motorsport in Scotland and by his presence at our meetings his inspiration to drivers young and old. A true Professional and makes us all proud to be Scottish.

Frnk Hynds

PS When are you going to have a race in a Legends car???
Posted by Frank Hynds on 09 December 2009 at 14:31 PM

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