Tuesday 10th May saw SMS (Scottish Motorsports) launched at a media event at the Royal Highland Showground in Edinburgh. SMS is a collaboration between the Scottish Auto Cycle Union, the Motor Sports Association and the Scottish Association of Car Clubs along withother four wheel organisations to promote and develop the grass roots of all forms of motorsport in Scotland.
This collaboration has gained a huge injection of funding through SportScotland creating resources which will be used to develop motorsports through schools, universities and support clubs to encourage that growth and deveolpment.
Scotland's heritage in motorsport both two wheel and four wheel was highlighted by the attendance of Sir Jackie Stewart, the three time F1 Drivers Champion. He spoke at the launch about his early start in motorsport and it's difficulties and welcomed the new venture, hoping it will help young talent in all forms of the sports develop quicker. He emphasised how important collaboration was in the development in motorsport in Scotland.
L to R - Stewart Harris - Chief Exec SportScotland, Sir Jackie Stewart, Maj Sandy Mack MBE - Chairman SACU, Mr Tom Purves - Chairman SMSStewart Harris, the Chief Executive of SportScotland spoke of the investment in motorsports developing into long term ventures and was inspired by the numbers of people who turned up at the launch. Both Sir Jackie and Mr Harris commented warmly on the representation the SACU had today in the form of four young trials riders: Jamie and Sophie Simpson and Ross and Jamie Galloway along with Rory Skinner, a young road racer who competes in the FIM CEV Repsol Moto3 Junior World Championships and the Red Bull Moto GP Rookies Series. Sir Jackie took time to talk to each of them about their sports and achievements within the sports.
SACU Chairman, Major Sandy Mack MBE said, "This new initiative and collaboration gives all forms of bike sports in Scotland a chance to develop and the SACU will do everything it can to make the most of this opportunity".