Sir Jackie Stewart: Legend stops in at Dumbarton Academy

Jul 3 2009 by Amanda McKendrick, Lennox Herald (main ed)

SIR Jackie Stewart took a trip down memory lane when he toured his old school last week – and pledged to return when the new Dumbarton Academy opens its doors.

The Milton born motor racing world champion met with teachers pupils and parent council chairman Iain Ellis and promised he would officially open the new school, which looks set to be funded by West Dunbartonshire Council and the Scottish Government.

Sir Jackie, Lady Helen and their sons, Mark and Paul, were given a guided tour of the academy during a day of celebrations in honour of his new title, Freeman of West Dunbartonshire before pupils interviewed him about his life and achievements.

Fourteen-year-old Matthew Ashman quizzed the 70-year-old how he broke into Formula One and what tips he had to help others access the sport.

Sir Jackie said: “Motor racing is no different than any other sport, you have got to put a lot into it.

“When you have dyslexia you have got to find ways round it. In my case I was so bad at school that sport was my escape and in the end it was how I got my life together.

“I found I was good at pigeon shooting and later found I was good at racing cars. It was a real surprise. It wasn’t something I thought I would be able to do. I never dreamed I would be a racing driver.”

Sixth year Gillian Milloy asked how it felt to be given the freedom of West Dunbartonshire in the year of Homecoming.

The racing great replied: “I was given the freedom of Dumbarton many years ago while I was still a racing driver. This particular year is a real homecoming for me . I’m not only coming back to Dumbarton and to Milton where I was born but back to the school I was last at. It’s a very nice thing to happen to me and I really thank the provost, the chief executive and all the other people who were part of it. It’s a really nice thing for me to get at this stage in my life.”

Third year Calum Harper asked which Formula 1 team Sir Jackie would now race for and was told “Right now Red Bull or Brawn is the best there is.”

Scott Connie questioned the grandfather on how much his life changed after he won the world championship.

Sir Jackie said: “After I won the world championship, I could afford the wife and I could afford two very expensive children. Winning the world championship was a great feeling. It’s like winning gold at the Olympics. Suddenly you win a big accolade and it puts you in front of the world.”

Pupils presented Sir Jackie with a specially designed birthday cake in the shape of a racing car to celebrate his 70th birthday before he left to unveil a plaque at his former home in Milton.