CALLUM BROTHERS WIN 2006 JIM CLARK MEMORIAL AWARD
The Association of Scottish Motoring Writers has awarded Ian and Moray Callum, designers at Jaguar and Ford, the prestigious Jim Clark Memorial Award for 2006. It is being given in recognition of their outstanding contribution to global car design.
The Jim Clark Memorial trophy is awarded to Scottish people who have made a major contribution to the world of motoring. Previous winners include Sir Jackie Stewart, Colin McRae, Tom Walkinshaw, Alan McNish, Robert Reid, road safety guru Dr. Murray McKay and, last year, for the first time posthumously, to author, broadcaster and journalist Ross Finlay
The award was presented on Saturday, May 20 at Gleneagles Hotel by Stephen Park, president of the Association of Scottish Motoring Writers. He said, “This year there were several worthy nominations but, receiving the vast majority of votes, the joint award for the Callum brothers was a clear favourite with our members.
“Not only is it a unique situation to have two Scotsmen hold such senior positions in automotive design but the fact that they are brothers is all the more remarkable.
“Ian is a previous winner of the award but, as the man responsible for the stunning appearance of the new Jaguar XK sports car, ASMW members felt that his contribution towards the new design direction of Jaguar cars should be recognised.
“In parallel to Ian’s achievements, younger brother Moray previously led the design department at Mazda and has been instrumental in reinvigorating the brand’s image with a new range of strikingly designed vehicles, including the innovative RX-8 and the acclaimed MX-5. Moray has just recently moved to Ford in Detroit and we wish him every success in his new design post.”
The Jim Clark Memorial Award is named after Jim Clark who, in a Lotus 49 at the Dutch Grand Prix in 1967, gave Ford its first ever Formula One win with the new Ford-Cosworth V8 Grand Prix engine.
"Being recognised by the Association of Scottish Motoring Writers is a great honour for both of us,” said Moray Callum. “To feature among our personal sporting heroes, such as Jackie Stewart, is a tremendous thrill.”
Ian Callum, 51, began his career at Ford in 1979 and has worked on the exterior and interior designs of the Fiesta, the Mondeo, the Ford RS200 mid-engined rally car, the Escort RS Cosworth and the Ford Puma. More recently his work includes the Aston Martin DB7 and Vanquish, the Volvo C70 and work on the Range Rover.
His most recent car is the recently launched Jaguar XK which has received many plaudits in the automotive press worldwide.
Ian’s younger brother Moray, 48, spent six years at Chrysler UK before moving to PSA Peugeot Citroen and the design studios of Ghia in Turin, where his work included the creation of the Ghia Via concept as well as work on Jaguar and Aston Martin projects.
Moray joined Ford in 1995, where he became Chief Designer for North American Operations. In 2001 he led Mazda’s worldwide design team and is credited with revitalizing the marque’s line-up. This year he has rejoined the team at Ford as Design Director of Ford Cars for the Americas.
Editors' note: Jim Clark was born into a farming family on March 4, 1936 in Kilmany, Fife. He was the youngest of five children and the only boy. The family moved to a new farm in the borders in 1942. Jim Clark became world champion grand prix driver in 1963 and 1965 and was the first non-American to win the Indianapolis 500 for nearly 50 years. Undoubtedly the most talented driver of his generation, he was also an extremely popular – and unassuming – person. He died in a racing accident at the Hockenheim circuit in Germany on April 7, 1968. So strong is the Clark legend that today, 38 years after his death, thousands of enthusiasts from around the world visit the Jim Clark Room in Duns – a facility dedicated to celebrating the life and successes of the borders' most famous farmer.
