Club Chairman Garry Headridge dropped in to the Doune Hillclimb on Sunday and surprised marshals, officials and drivers during the lunchbreak with a presentation to honour a marshal with nearly 60 years experience in motorsport.

SMMC Member Ian Gillian has a calm, quiet and unassuming approach to most things but we are delighted to recognise his immense contribution to motorsport through the presentation of the Jim Clark Marshalling Award.

The Award is the most prestigious made by the Club and is presented to a member who, in the sole opinion of the Trustees, had made a significant contribution to motorsport marshalling and safety in Scotland.

Ian is a traditional ‘all round’ marshal and has a long and varied career in motorsport.

He was a race flag marshal at Ingliston from 1965 until that closed in 1994. He has been actively involved at Knockhill since it was opened in 1974, something that continues today as the Circuit celebrates its 50th anniversary.

His involvement in speed events came slightly later, with visits to Doune starting about 1968. After a move south with work, he returned to the ‘hills’ in 2006.

Rallying started to feature in Ian’s diary in the 70s and 80s on events such as the RAC, Burmah and RSAC Scottish. More recently he has supported events including LeJog, The Flying Scotsman, and right up to date, the Jim Clark Rally last month – and on Saturday, he was at Barbon Hillclimb in Cumbria.

As well as being a stalwart of the marshalling community, Ian is a Marshal Assessor (Speed) and a Motorsport UK licenced trainer.

First awarded in 1994, Ian is the 20th Club member to receive the Award. Read more about the Jim Clark Marshalling Award here.

SMMC Chairman, Garry Headridge, presents the
Jim Clark Memorial Award to Ian Gillian (right)