Shedden & Mitchell lead SMRC Awardsposted in SMRC03 | 12 | 2016
SCOTLAND’S LEADING MOTORSPORT drivers gathered for the annual Scottish Motor Racing Club Awards, with Gordon Shedden and Sandy Mitchell taking the top trophies.
Shedden, the 37-year-old from Auchterarder, who won the British Touring Car Championship for the third time this year, received the prestigious John Romanes Trophy awarded to the driver who has displayed 'excellence in motorsport throughout his career'.
"This just caps off a wonderful season," Shedden, who received his award from double BTCC champ, Galashiels' John Cleland, said at the gala ceremony in Edinburgh attended by a sell-out 350 guests. (Related: Shedden wins third BTCC title)
"I remember as a kid going to Knockhill and watching John racing. That was my inspiration to start motor racing.
“For me it was never about Formula One, it was always about touring cars. To be BTCC champion for a third time with Honda is a dream come true, but to win the John Romanes Trophy again is the icing on the cake."
Shedden, who also won the Rothmans Trophy, awarded to the top Scottish driver competing in a UK national championship, was joined on stage by Mitchell.
Scotland’s brightest young motor racing prospect, Mitchell — aged just 16 years and 169 days — became the youngest-ever driver to win a round of the British GT Championship.
The Forfar teenager, partnered by 19-year-old Ciaran Haggerty from Johnstone, powered their Black Bull Ecurie Ecosse McLaren 570S GT4 to two wins, plus pole positions and fastest laps, in their debut season.
To mark his achievement, Mitchell received the Ecurie Ecosse Hubcap. The award, an actual hub cap from one of the Ecurie Ecosse Le Mans 24 Hours--winning D-type Jaguars, is given to the most promising young Scottish driver of the year.
Mitchell’s award came just six days after he and Haggerty were voted joint Rookies of the Year at the annual British GT Championship Awards in London.
“Winning this top SMRC award just rounds off what has been a fantastic debut season in sportscars,” admitted the talented youngster, who received his award from SMRC chairman, and Ecurie Ecosse patron Hugh McCaig.
“Ciaran — who won this award two years ago — and I have worked brilliantly together all season, and we’re looking forward to mounting a strong challenge to win the British GT4 Championship next year.”
Watched by SMRC president, three-time Le Mans 24-Hours winner Allan McNish from Dumfries, and multiple IndyCar and Indy500 winner Dario Franchitti, a number of other talented Scots received recognition.
While Kirkcaldy’s Jonny Adam collected the Williams Lyons Trophy, awarded for the best performance by a Scottish driver in a sports car, after clinching his second British GT Championship, fellow Fifer Rory Butcher received the Callands Trophy.
This is awarded to the Scot who has performed best in an international championship, and rewarded Butcher’s performances in the European Le Mans Series where he finished second in the GTE class.
And while Livingston’s Martin McGeough received the SMRC Special Award for his work raising money for the CHAS charity in the Scottish Mini Championship, fellow Mini racer, Dunbar’s Hannah Chapman, was voted SMRC Driver of the Year.
Duncan Vincent, the voice behind the trackside commentary at SMRC meetings at Knockhill, received the Duncan Fisher Trophy.
This is awarded to an enthusiast who is totally committed to his favourite sport of motor racing and invariably does most of his work behind the scenes.
But the biggest cheer of the evening was reserved for Livingston’s Henry Williams who received the Claire & Nicholas Trophy. A race marshall, responsible for ensuring the competitors’ safety, the award marked the fact Williams has not missed an SMRC race meeting at Knockhill since 1977.
SMRC Winners
Fiesta ST Cup — Kevin Whtye
XR2 Champion — Jim Deans
XR2 Newcomers Award — Barry Farquharson
Scottish Legends Rookie Award — Ryan McLeish
Scottish Legends Quaich — John Paterson
Scottish Formula Ford Newcomers Award — Jamie Thorburn
Scottish Formula Ford Winner — Neil MacLennan
Celtic Speed Mini Cooper Cup Newcomer — Dylan O’Donnell
Celtic Speed Mini Cooper Cup Ladies — Taelor Shand
Celtic Speed Mini Cooper Cup Winner — Paul Bell
Related: Black Bull Ecurie Ecosse GT4 young guns win again
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Jim McGill