THERE’S little doubt Scottish sports fans must be among the most long suffering bunch in the world. It’s now 13 years since the national football team qualified for the finals of a major championship. Do any of the Sick Chirpse readers out there even remember the France ’98 World Cup?
Since then it’s been a story of continued glorious failures. Even Scottish golfers have done little to help repair the battered reputation of a very pwoud (sowwy Sir Alew) sporting nation. But fear not armchair fans there might well be an answer to your prayers. If you are brave enough to grab your remote control and turnover to BBC One and abandon Sky Sports, even for just a few hours on a Sunday afternoon, you might just enjoy it.That’s where you’ll find coverage of Formula One motor sport where one Scot is really beginning to make his mark.
However, I feel it’s imperative I warn you now to expect a rather rude awakening, especially if you are nursing a nasty hangover, as summariser Eddie Jordan’s shirts are particularly loud.But Scots star Paul di Resta will make changing the channel worth it as he
continues to refuel a passion for motor racing north of the border.
The 25-year-old continues to impress in his maiden Formula One season with his latest performance a real stunner in Singapore as he gain grabbed positive headlines. Di Resta, nicknamed the Bathgate Bullet, has even been linked with potential drives with other big manufacturers as the vultures begin to circle.
His current employers Force India obviously remain in pole position to retain his services but it would hardly be a surprise if one of the big guns came calling.Di Resta’s manager Anthony Hamilton, the father of Lewis, remains convinced he’ll be at Force India again next season. But while the spotlight continues to fall on di Resta there are dozens and dozens of other Scottish drivers out there working tirelessly to make the grade. Lewis Williamson is also flying the Saltire with real pride in the Formula One support events.
However, there’s another north star who is slowly starting to really make an impact. Aberdeen’s Glynn Geddie is leading the British GT Championship in his Ferrari 458 and is already starting to attract the attention of several teams from across the globe.
The 21-year-old heads into the final round of the prestigious event at Silverstone on October 8 in pole position.At Donington in the last round he coped admirably with the wet conditionsas the Ferrari slithered its way round the tricky track. The Ferrari is notoriously tough to control when its been raining not thatthe fearless Geddie let that bother him.
If he can go on to win the British GT title, a series he finished second in last season, then just who knows what the future might hold for him? In fact if di Resta, Williamson and Geddie can continue to progress it might just help turns the frowns on the faces of the Scottish sports fans upside down.
