The Jim Clark Memorial Award for 2005 is, for the first time in its 35 year history, to be awarded posthumously.
The members of the Association of Scottish Motoring Writers unanimously nominated Ross Finlay, the Helensburgh-based author, broadcaster and journalist, who died in December 2004 at the age of 67, as the recipient of this year's award.
"Ross Finlay was a shy, unassuming man who was a giant in his profession," said Ally Ballingall, president of the ASMW. "In presenting this award to Ross, our members acknowledge his outstanding contribution to motoring journalism and motorsport in Scotland over many, many years," he added.
The Jim Clark Memorial Award is presented by the ASMW to a Scot or Scots who have achieved excellence in the field of motoring and not only for motorsport success. Previous winners have included Sir Jackie Stewart, rally ace Colin McRae and Jaguar director of design Ian Callum.
"When the family was informed of the generous decision by the Association of Scottish Motoring Writers to present the 2005 Jim Clark Award in recognition of Ross Finlay, our first reaction was great surprise, followed immediately by a sense of great honour," said Ross's son, David (39).
"Remembering his discomfort at receiving public praise, we know that he could never have accepted such an award himself. But the overwhelming level of support and appreciation my mother Patricia, sister Susan and I received from so many friends in the motor industry – and in particular from Association members – was enough to persuade us that we should accept on his behalf. The family would like to offer its sincere thanks to the Association members for their kindness and generosity," he concluded.
Glasgow-born Ross is well remembered as a leading rally navigator, competing on Scottish navigational events with drivers including David Black and Ian Loudon Cox. He also competed in stage rallies alongside Andrew Cowan, Logan Morrison and Alistair Robertson. In the early 1960s he was a member of the BMC works team competing with Logan Morrison in Mini and Healey 3000 rally cars. Ross retired from active competition in the mid 1970s but was co-ordinator of the Scottish Rally Championship until 1980 and also organised sprint and hillclimb events into the 1990s.
His journalism career began in the 1960s when, after briefly working in his uncle's tailor shop, he started writing for "Motor World" magazine. He was later to become its editor and also had a spell working with the Scottish motoring magazine, "Top Gear". Ross worked for BBC Radio Scotland, first as a motorsport reporter and later as sports programme presenter, before hosting the Saturday morning programme 'Leisure Trail' during the early 1980s.
He wrote many touring articles and three books in his own "Touring Scotland" series and contributed to several touring books published by the Automobile Association and the Reader's Digest.
A motoring contributor to the "Glasgow Herald" from 1977 until his death, Ross formed with son David in 1999 the internet motoring magazine CARkeys. As well as directing editorial policy he wrote most of the news content as well as hundreds of road tests, launch reports, features, sport reports and columns. The first major fruit of all this labour was the deal whereby CARkeys became the motoring channel of the ITV.com website, although unfortunately this happened after his death.
The Jim Clark Memorial Award will be presented to Ross's widow Patricia and son David (daughter Susan lives and works in Bahrain) on Saturday evening, May 21 in St. Andrews at a dinner attended by Jim Clark's sister, Mrs. Betty Peddie. This will be the 35th year the Award has been presented and, as in all previous years, the event is supported by Ford Motor Company Limited. It was 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 grand prix engine.
