Ecurie Ecosse takes the bull by the horns

13/06/2013 Ecurie Ecosse takes the bull by the horns Famous Scottish squad confirms 2013 title sponsorship deal with Black Bull Whisky Legendary Scottish motor racing outfit Ecurie Ecosse has signed a new key sponsorship agreement with Duncan Taylor Scotch Whisky that will see the team promote the Black Bull Whisky brand through its European Le Mans Series and British GT Championship programmes. Duncan Taylor Scotch Whisky Ltd is a family owned, luxury whisky merchants. With origins dating back to 1864, the company selects and matures casks from distilleries across the length and breadth of Scotland and currently owns one of the world's largest private collections of vintage Scotch whisky. With a multi award-winning brand portfolio, Duncan Taylor Scotch Whisky Ltd harnesses generations of expertise to deliver the finest whisky without compromise. The Black Bull brand dates back to 1864 and was the first 100 proof blend to be sold in the US, where it came to prominence after the repeal of prohibition in 1933. Repackaged in 2008, Black Bull is now available in 12-year-old, 30-year-old, 40-year-old and Special Reserve expressions and has won numerous awards, including five gold medals in 2011 alone. “For Ecurie Ecosse to initiate a new alliance with a major brand like Black Bull is a terrific opportunity for European promotional activity. Indeed, we are already discussing a number of innovative activation strategies with Duncan Taylor Scotch Whisky for implementation throughout the year,” said Ecurie Ecosse Director and driver Oliver Bryant. “This partnership is a great match: both are world-class Scottish brands with a rich heritage and pedigree who share the same goal of being at Le Mans in 2014.” Duncan Taylor Scotch Whisky Chairman, Euan Shand, added: “Duncan Taylor Scotch Whisky are very pleased to be key sponsors of Ecurie Ecosse for the 2013 season, especially so in their pursuit of racing at the 24 Hours of Le Mans in 2014, the world’s greatest motor race. The rich heritage shared by both companies and their pursuit of excellence in their respective fields is surely a recipe for achieving that goal. Ecurie Ecosse's current dominance in both championships is a wonderful opportunity to bring the Duncan Taylor's Black Bull 100 Proof blended whisky brand to the attention of a new audience.” Ecurie Ecosse currently leads the points’ standings in both the British GT Championship and European Le Mans Series (GTC Class). Black Bull branding will appear on the squad's BMW Z4 GT3 for the first time at this weekend’s British GT round at Snetterton in the UK (June 15/16), while the next European Le Mans Series event takes the team to the Red Bull Ring in Austria on July 19/20. ENDS Issued on behalf of Ecurie Ecosse Photo credit: Gary Parravani, Xynamic Motorsport Photography Click on individual images to download For more information on Ecurie Ecosse please visit www.ecurieecosse.com Follow our blog: ecurieecosse.blogspot.com Follow Ecurie Ecosse on Twitter: @ecurie_ecosse Follow Ecurie Ecosse on Facebook Click here for the press release (PDF) Click here for the Ecurie Ecosse Association Membership Pack Click here for the Ecurie Ecosse 60th Anniversary Ltd Edition Bremont Chronometer Watch Presentation Follow Ecurie Ecosse Drivers on Twitter: @alasdair_mccaig @oliverjbryant @andrewsmitht70 @joetwyman1986 @olliemillroy

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Welcome

Welcome to the Ecurie Ecosse blog! As a team, all the drivers will have access and the ability to post news, views on updates on our activities across Europe during the coming season. As an introduction to who we are and where we have come from the first two posts will summarise Ecosse across the years:

Despite fielding entries in the Formula One World Championship, it was in the realms of sportscar racing where Ecurie Ecosse originally forged its reputation as one of the most respected names in motor sport.

Established by Edinburgh accountant David Murray in 1952, the Scottish team rose to prominence at the world-famous Le Mans 24 Hours where, in 1956 and ‘57, the plucky privateer outfit’s iconic metallic blue and white striped Jaguars triumphed over the similar factory-supported D-Types, as well as works Ferrari, Aston Martin and Porsche entries. 

In the early 1980s, and following an extended period away from the sport, it was left to lifelong fan Hugh McCaig to resurrect Ecurie Ecosse. Sticking to its true privateer routes the team entered the World Sportscar Championship, winning the C2 class title and finishing runner-up twice in the space of three seasons.

With the demise of the WSCC, Ecurie Ecosse re-focused its efforts on the burgeoning British Touring Car Championship which culminated in securing the 1995 Teams’ and Drivers’ crowns. It was the first independent outfit in BTCC history to beat the manufacturer-backed teams.

While the team’s list of major honours is impressive enough, it only accounts for part of its rich heritage. Equally important are the star names to have cut their teeth behind the wheel of Ecurie Ecosse machinery down the years, with no less than three future Formula One World Champions – Jim Clark, Sir Jackie Stewart and Sir Jack Brabham – as well as motor racing legend Sir Stirling Moss, Grand Prix winner David Coulthard and two-times Le Mans 24 Hours victor Allan McNish amongst the celebrated roll call.  

MAJOR ACHIEVEMENTS AND TITLES

1956: 1st – Le Mans 24 Hours

1957: 1st & 2nd – Le Mans 24 Hours

1985: Runner-up – C2 World Sportscar Championship

1986: Champions – C2 World Sportscar Championship

1987: 1st – Le Mans 24 Hours, Index Of Performance class

2nd in class and 8th overall – Le Mans 24 Hours

Runner-up – C2 World Sportscar Championship

1988: Champions – British Thunder Saloons Championship

1995: Champions – British Touring Car Championship

After nearly 2 decades away from the sport, in 2011 Andrew Smith, Joe Twyman, Alasdair McCaig and Oliver Bryant came together to revive the team. Seeds of this great revival were sewn during the 2011 season’s 24 Hours of Spa in Belgium where, having proven the brand’s enduring appeal by attaining no less than 34 sponsors, Ecurie Ecosse lined up in a major international endurance race for the first time since 1993.

And with original Team Principal Hugh McCaig presiding over matters from the pitwall, the team exceeded all expectations by recording the fastest time in one of the free practice sessions and out-qualifying a number of their factory-supported rivals.

The imaginations of their loyal fans were captured further in the race where, on a fraction of the budget of their rivals, Ecurie Ecosse’s ageing dark blue and white Aston Martin DBRS9 GT3 came home a fine ninth in class despite racing against much more seasoned opposition and losing two hours in the garage to an ECU problem.

Those 24 hours, added to the thousands enjoyed in successful competition throughout the last six decades, acted as the catalyst for Ecurie Ecosse to pursue its full-time return to top flight action in 2012.   

JT

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