Motor sport legend Jimmy McRae to launch Scottish driving festival
Jimmy McRae will drive his late son's car to for the launch of a new motoring festival.
Scottish motor sport icon Jimmy McRae will open a new three day motoring festival at the SECC.
The five-time British champion was the guest of honour at the launch of the IGNITION festival, which comes to Glasgow from the 5th-7th of August.
The Top Gear Live Stunt Team also put on an impressive display of precision driving, giving bystanders a taste of what will be on offer this summer.
Supercars including a Lamborghini Huracan and Ferrari 458 Spider, and competition cars including the successful Red Bull RB6 Formula One racing car and Colin McRae’s famous Subaru Impreza rally car provided a fitting backdrop as organisers presented further plans.
Jimmy will open the festival by driving his late son Colin’s world championship-winning rally car around the event’s Street Circuit.
Jimmy McRae said: “Scotland is steeped in motor sport heritage, with champions on two, three and four wheels.
“It’s an exciting event for Glasgow and motoring fans north of the border.
“I’m looking forward to getting behind the wheel on the Street Circuit – it will really bring the event to life and give the audience a unique experience.”
Event Director Jeremy Vaughan said: “It’s an honour to have Jimmy on board for IGNITION.
“Jimmy won the British Rally Championship five times and still competes today in historic rallying - he really is a legend.
“Jimmy inaugurating the circuit in Colin's 555 Subaru WRC winning car will be a very special moment for the event and the city."
The event will also feature power laps by The Stig, displays of classic cars and memorabilia plus tributes to some of the world’s finest motor sporting heroes.
Scotland’s own F1 star, David Coulthard will also take to the specially constructed Street Circuit in the Red Bull Racing RB7, giving fans the chance to see and hear a Formula One machine up close.