Motorsport Scotland to bid for state funding

"Too many people outside motorsport see it as a cottage industry. The reality is that it is a multi-million pound operation which demands acceptance not only by government bodies, but by Scottish industry as a whole."

One of the first tasks to be undertaken by the newly formed body is to raise about £25,000 to finance a report into the strength and scale of the motorsport industry in Scotland.

Chris Aylett, the CEO of the MIA, believes that Scotland can build on the success achieved by Wales. "Wales were quick off the mark because they owned the WRC event, but unfortunately Scotland doesn't have that," he said. "What it does have is an international reputation for the skill of its drivers and for producing world champions. One only has to list the likes of Jim Clark, Jackie Stewart and Colin McRae to see how strong Scottish motorsport is across the world.

"The biggest problem is that, while the rest of the world sees Scotland's strength, Scotland - and particularly Scottish business and the Scottish Executive - doesn't. Not only do the motorsport ambassadors create millions of pounds of exposure around the world for Scotland, but the industry itself generates millions of pounds of business for the economy. It's time some of that money was put back into motorsport."

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