Stewart sets record straight on funding campaign

In his latest role as president of the British Racing Drivers Club, Stewart is lobbying Government ministers in an attempt to secure Britain's position as the leading country of the world's motorsport industry.

However, the former chairman of the Stewart Formula 1 team is worried that the perception of motor racing as a wealthy sport may hinder his cause.

"We're not trying to find money to line the pockets of the teams or Bernie Ecclestone or anybody else," Stewart told Autosport.com. "The BRDC is a non-profit making organisation that piles its money back into motorsport.

"What we are working towards, with Government assistance, is supporting the British motorsport industry on a longer term, through both education and through having Silverstone as a centre of excellence."

The Scot is keen to point out that complacency is dangerous and that while the Formula 1 teams in the shop window of motorsport seem well-off, funding is required to keep Britain's motorsport industry as a whole in its leading position.

"My great concern is that we could lose our position at the top to France, or in particular Germany," continues Stewart. "We need to have a centre of excellence like Silverstone that others can hopefully emulate, but at the moment we are the only country whose star circuit has not been helped by state money."

After two meetings with Prime Minister Tony Blair, progress is being made, but Stewart is not restricting his campaign to the Government and is due to meet with rival party leaders Charles Kennedy of the Liberal Democrats and Conservative leader William Hague.

"This is not a party political issue," said Stewart, "this is something for the nation. I'm very encouraged by the signs I'm already getting, but it's not nearly done and I don't want to lose this battle because of mis-information."