SCOTTISH MOTORSPORT CENTRE GRANTED CHARITABLE STATUS

A project to establish a Scottish Motorsport Heritage Centre at the historic Rest and Be Thankful hillclimb and rally stage in Argyll has been granted official charitable status.

The Scottish Charity Regulator OSCR has approved the project, which would pay tribute to the Scottish motorsport heroes past and present. The plan is for it to be located near the classic hairpin at the top of the Rest, an iconic motorsport location for various disciplines over the years.

The project is the brainchild of Douglas Anderson, the Dundee man responsible for the return of the Monte Carlo Rally to Scotland in recent times. His vision is that the centre, on the dramatic hillside, would breathe new life into the popular stopping point, bringing tourism spend and jobs to local communities as well as acknowledging the Rest as one of the country’s most important motorsport locations.

Discussions with officials from Loch Lomond and the Trossachs National Park, VisitScotland, The Forestry Commission, Transport Scotland, MSPs and the local council have all been positive and now that official charitable status has been granted, the five trustees – all of whom have an involvement in motorsport – are looking to carry out a feasibility study and generate financial backing.

Renowned businessman and motorsport enthusiast Boyd Tunnock has already made a substantial donation to help get this exciting project underway.