Borders motorsport stars of yesteryear to be celebrated
Borderers Doug Niven and John Cleland are among four motorsport stars of yesteryear to be celebrated at an event at Fife’s Knockhill Racing Circuit later this month.
Billed as a day of champions, that race meeting – on Sunday, May 17 – will shine a light on Niven and Cleland’s achievements as drivers in years gone by, along with those of Gordon Shedden and the late David Leslie.
Both Duns farmer Niven, 80, and Galashiels car dealership boss Cleland, 73, will be going along, as will Edinburgh-born Shedden, 47.
On top of that, a new trophy named after Niven will be awarded to the winners of the day’s historic modsports and special saloons race.
A spokesperson for the Dunfermline track said: “Doug Niven, David Leslie, John Cleland and Gordon Shedden have won numerous British titles and a world championship between them and have been household names from the 1970s onwards and the team at Knockhill are delighted that Doug, John and Gordon have confirmed their attendance at the event.
“Doug won races the length and breadth of the UK in the 1970s, famously racing his iconic Formula 1 V8-engined Volkswagen Beetle.
“Both John and Gordon have been synonymous with the British Touring Car Championship since the 1980s, winning five titles between them.
“John won twice in 1989 and 1995 with Vauxhall, with Gordon winning for Honda in 2012, 2015 and 2016. Both will be attending the event to help with post-race award presentations and meet fans.
“The day will also feature around 40 champions and other notable drivers from the 1970s to the 1990s, many of whom attended the 50th anniversary event at Knockhill last year.”
There will be ten races on Sunday, with the first of them off at 9.30am and the last at around 5.30pm.
Adult tickets are £20, with pensioners and students getting in for £15 and under-13s free. For details, go to https://www.knockhill.com/events/Champions-Of-Scottish-Car-Racing-2026