Race to the top...

HUGE crowds greeted Jackie Stewart in Dumbarton in 1975 when he was given a civic reception.

It was no wonder – the man is a legend, after all.

As a young man, he worked as an apprentice mechanic with the family business, Dumbuck Garage, a Jaguar dealer, which had built up a successful reputation in the industry. His brother, Jimmy, was a racing driver and it was only natural that the young Jackie, surrounded by cars and racing enthusiasts, should take up the mantel.

He actually competed in shooting, first, after his parents discouraged him from racing following his brother’s crash at Le Mans. So good was he, Jackie almost made the 1960 Olympic team...

Nine years later, however, Jackie Stewart was celebrating becoming champion in an altogether different discipline.

His 1969 triumph in the Formula One World Championship was the first of three titles, and altogether he achieved 27 Grand Prix wins, a record which would take a further 20 years to be equalled. Nicknamed the “Flying Scot”, he is the last surviving champion from the 60s.

Sir Jackie narrowly missed out on a win at his first attempt at the Indianapolis 500 in 1966.

Between 1997 and 1999, in partnership with his son, Paul, he was team principal of the Stewart Grand Prix Formula One racing team.

He has also been instrumental in improving the safety of motor racing and campaigning for better medical facilities and track improvements at motor racing circuits.