Question
I have many fond memories of the team personalities and all the cars from the early Sixties from Charterhall, and at Ingliston to the Bon Accord Parade in Aberdeen.
I tried to get the C2 car to Mosport in 1985, but Le Mans denied us the teams first Canadian race. I am very happy to see the rebirth of Ecurie Ecosse. I wish the team the very best in the future.
I became involved with the Ecurie Ecosse Association Aberdeen Branch in the early sixties with a lot of help by Gwen Fairless. That led to many things including a honeymoon visitng Merchiston Mews in 1966 where David Murray presented me with a lapel pin which I still wear today. DM had the original Michael Turner painting of the D-Type at Le Mans in his office then. Today I have a print hanging in pole position in my living room alongside of which is a signed print of the XJR-9 in the 1988 race, not to mention others including Jim Clark and Jackie Stewart. I still have a letter from David Murray in which he thanked me for help both morally and practically. Personally I believe he exaggerated. I only spent just over a year in Edinburgh, leaving for a management role with a company in Toronto, Canada. In 1984 I was invited to become the General Manager of CASC the Canadian ASN. My first task was to rescue the cancelled 1985 Canadian GP. With the guidance of Jackie Stewart and my negotiations with Bernie Ecclestone I was successful . Later, I managed to convince Harvey Hudes of Mosport to pay transport costs for "Reggie" and the team while my good friend Hugh Taylor and other expatriate Scots would cover hotels/meals etc etc. Sadly it would not happen as"Reggie" lunched on his engine at Le Mans. If only "Reggie" and the team had made it they would have been welcomed to Corner Two and Little Scotland!!!!!
After this I returned to the business world from which I am now "partially" retired. In August I will be at Mosport for the American Le Mans Series race. You may be assured this "Wee Scot" will proudly be wearing his Team jacket and scarf!! ( I still have the tie, but sadly like its owner it is showing its age ). My car will support the team too since it displays the EE badge !!
Yours Aye
ExAberdonian,
Bryan Sangster,
Canada.
Answer:
Thanks Bryan
GG
26/02/2009