Gordon Shedden and Jimmy McRae join IGNITION Festival of Motoring 2017 line-up

IGNITION Festival of Motoring has announce Scottish racing stars Gordon Shedden and Jimmy McRae as the latest names to join the festival’s stellar 2017 line-up.

Reigning Dunlop MSA British Touring Car Championship champion Shedden – who wowed crowds at the 2016 event with his no-holds-barred driving – will once again showcase his skills on the specially commissioned street circuit.

Also returning to the IGNITION bill is five-time British Rally Champion Jimmy McRae, adding to an already star-studded rally cast.

The Scottish duo are the latest names to be confirmed for IGNITION 2017, which will return to SEC Glasgow from 4-6 August for an exhilarating extravaganza of cars, bikes, stunts and much more.

The event, Scotland’s biggest automotive showcase, will give fans the chance to experience the sights, sounds and smells of everything from rally and Formula 1 to drift racing, classic cars and motorbikes, all featuring on a specially constructed street circuit.

Cat Stanford, IGNITION Festival Director, said: “We’re thrilled to secure another champion driver in the shape of Gordon Shedden. He’s at the top of his game and this year could complete a hat-trick of consecutive BTCC title wins, so we’re very lucky to have him return to IGNITION for a second year.”

“Likewise, Jimmy is a household name of Scottish motorsport and delivered a memorable performance at last year’s festival when he inaugurated our specially constructed street circuit driving Colin McRae’s famous Subaru Impreza World Championship winning car. This year will see him face-up to some old foes from our Rally Gods line-up which should prove a lot of fun!”

To celebrate his addition to the IGNITION line-up, Gordon Shedden this week helped to deliver a special driving experience for two lucky competition winners at Knockhill Race Circuit. Ben Mitchell (Aberdeen) and Blain McManus (Glasgow) were gifted a Father’s Day surprise with a difference as they joined Shedden for a rip-roaring day of fast-paced action, including some ‘hot’ laps in Shedden’s Honda Civic Type R. Watch the action here https://youtu.be/uyXrrkN7x88

Speaking at Knockhill, Shedden said: “I’m really excited to be coming back to IGNITION. I had a lot of fun driving the Ariel Nomad last year and can’t wait to get out there again in August. It’s always a privilege to perform in front of a Scottish crowd and the IGNITION audience will be no different. They are as knowledgeable and passionate as they come so I’m sure it will be another fun-filled weekend for all the family.”

Jimmy McRae will join some familiar faces at the festival when he links up with World Rally elite Ari Vatanen, Miki Biasion, Timo Salonen, Markku Alen and Stig Blomqvist – all of whom he tussled with for silverware during a golden era for the sport during the 1980s. An astonishing seven-time winner of the Circuit of Ireland, McRae reckons his old foes should be worried when he steps into his old MG Metro 6R4.

“I managed to beat all of them in my old MG Metro and I’m confident I can do it again on home soil!” he joked. “In all seriousness, they’re all former World Champions, so they are all pretty good at their job. It will be great to appear alongside them.”

Joining the Rally Gods will be the infamous cars that helped to make their names: Miki Biasion will drive his Lancia Delta; Stig Blomqvist will be reacquainted with the RS200 and Audi Quattro; Markku Alen will take the wheel of the Lancia Stratos while ‘The Flying Finn’ Ari Vatanen, will be reunited with his RS1800. The combination will make for an unmissable rally spectacle on the streets of Glasgow.

Other festival attractions include an array of Hot Rods comprising: a 1933 3-window coupe; a 1931 Ford Model A; a flamboyant gold & white Buick Electra, plus a 1940 Willy's Coupe which will take to the track to burn some rubber.

IGNITION 2017 will also see the return of the Japspeed drift team; a celebration of 70 years of Ferrari and a supercar grid to rival any, packed with some of the world’s finest machinery including Lamborghinis, Porsches, McLarens, Mustangs, Mercedes and more.

Tickets for IGNITION 2017 are available from the festival website with prices to suit every pocket. Single tickets start at just £27.50 (pre-booked) for full day entry to the show and only £15 for a late entry single ticket from 2pm. A single ticket plus morning or afternoon grandstand seat costs £40, while a family day ticket for two adults and up to three children costs just £70.

THE IGNITE Club ticket at £129 is the ultimate VIP experience offering exclusive access to the IGNITE Club Paddock and grandstand, both conveniently located trackside and close to the private IGNITE club bar where lunch and driver Q&A’s are included.


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