Pedal to the Metal: The History of Motor Racing in Scotland

    Photo by Stephen Kidd

    With its winding roads and adrenaline-junkie spirit, Scotland has long been a major hub for motorsports. From historic tracks that tested early Grand Prix cars to homegrown champions who took the racing world by storm, Scotland boasts a rich history in competitive auto racing.

    The challenging landscape bred fearless drivers and daring circuits that pushed man and machine to the limit. Let’s look at some of the most famous tracks, races and drivers that put Scotland on the global motor racing map.

    Scotland’s Legendary Racetracks

    Scotland’s treacherous roads and hairpin curves inspired some of the U.K.’s earliest race circuits. Many were street courses winding through villages and along public lanes.

    Argyll Circuit

    This 50-mile course near Dunoon consisted of closed public roads looping around the picturesque Cowal peninsula. First raced in 1906, it hosted the RAC Tourist Trophy, as well as early Grand Prix races prior to World War I. Its challenging hills and tight turns pushed cars and drivers to their brink.

    Bo’ness Hillclimb

    Situated close to Edinburgh, Bo’ness Hillclimb ranks as the oldest track still in use in Scotland. Since its debut in 1911, generations of drivers have tested their mettle racing up the steep one-mile slope. A challenging course lined with stone walls, Bo’ness cemented its place in British hillclimb history.

    Crieff Hydro

    The Crieff Hydro hotel began hosting hillclimbs along its access road in 1913. For over 50 years, daredevil drivers raced up the winding tree-lined route to the hotel at breakneck speeds. Stirling Moss, Sydney Allard and other legends competed there before it ended operations in 1966.

    Charlotte Raceway

    Situated near Stonehaven, Charlotte Raceway hosted motorbike and auto competitions from 1930s to 1950s. The one-mile dirt oval featured steeply banked curves that allowed speeds over 100mph. Chariot races during Roman times also likely occurred on the same site centuries earlier.

    Scottish Drivers Who Made Their Mark

    Beyond the circuits, many remarkable Scottish drivers left their stamp on worldwide motor racing lore.

    Jim Clark (1936-1968)

    Hailed as one of the greatest Formula One drivers ever, Jim Clark won two World Championships in the mid-1960s. He triumphed in 72 races over his career, often driving for Lotus. Clark mastered both F1 and Indy car racing, winning the 1965 Indianapolis 500. His shock death in an F2 crash in 1968 cut short an incredible career.

    Jackie Stewart (b. 1939)

    Dubbed the “Flying Scot,” Jackie Stewart won three F1 titles between 1969-1973 while driving for BRM, March and Tyrell. He pioneered auto safety improvements and established his own F1 team. Following his driving career, he remained active as a racing promoter and broadcaster into the 21st century.

    David Leslie (1953-2008)

    A versatile driver, David Leslie competed successfully across multiple disciplines from single seaters to sports cars to stock cars. He notched class wins for Mazda and Saleen at the 24 Hours of Le Mans and raced for BMW in touring cars. Leslie continued racing right up until his sudden death in a plane crash at age 55.

    Dario Franchitti (b. 1973)

    Four-time IndyCar Series champion Dario Franchitti is one of Scotland’s most successful modern racing drivers. He won the Indy 500 in 2007 and also triumphed in several 24 Hour sports car events. His 31 IndyCar wins place Franchitti among the best open wheel racers of all time.

    Colin McRae (1968-2007)

    Hailing from Lanark, Colin McRae won the World Rally Championship drivers’ title in 1995. His daring driving style made him a fan favorite over his WRC career tallying 25 event wins. McRae later brought his rally experience to producing the genre-defining Colin McRae Rally video game series.

    Racing Rivalry – Edinburgh vs. Glasgow

    An intense rivalry emerged early on between drivers from the country’s two largest cities. Edinburgh racers favored expensive high-powered cars from marques like Arrol-Johnston and Weir. Glasgow’s upstart racers cobbled together their own cars dubbed “Doonhames.”

    The Edinburgh racers looked down on the Glaswegians’ scrappy misfit vehicles. But the Doonhames proved formidable, beating Edinburgh’s elite teams and winning events like the 1903 1000 Miles Trial. The rivalry persisted for decades on tracks across Scotland.

    Innovation on Scotland’s Circuits

    Scottish tracks served as proving grounds for pioneering technologies that migrated to production cars. Disc brakes were first tried out at Crieff Hydro in 1953 then later popularized by Jaguar. Many credit the challenging Scottish roads for spurring ever-safer and more advanced automobile engineering.

    Scotland’s Racing Legacy Lives On

    From the winding public road courses of its early days to modern venues like Knockhill Racing Circuit, Scotland retains its reputation for breeding racing icons. The next Colin McRae or Jim Clark may already be honing their skills on Scotland’s tracks and back roads.