The Flying Scotsman
Driving a 911 GT1, Allan McNish racked up three wins during 1997 in the USA. Contracted as a works driver beginning last year, the lively bachelor from Dumfries, Scotland will compete in this year's FIA GT Championship and Le Mans 24 Hour race for Porsche. His first success so far this year: Class winner in a 911 GT1 at the Daytona 24 Hours.
In 1980 at the tender age of eleven, Allan McNish started his motorsport career in a kart. His outstanding talent became apparent after winning numerous national senior and youth titles over the next few years. Successful outings in several Formula Championships for gifted youngsters - including the hotly contested British Vauxhalt Lotus Challenge title - recommended McNish for promotion to more demanding motorsport tasks.
In 1989 the Scotsman competed in the British Formula 3 Championship, and with five wins, took runner-up honors. The following year saw McNish in a Formula 3000 cockpit. Two wins and a fourth overall in the international championship drew attention to the newcomer...and not only from his rivals. McLaren team boss Ron Dennis was impressed with the capable youngster and engaged him in his Formula 1 test team.
After many test kilometers in various Formula 1 single-seaters over the next several years (1991/92 McLaren-Honda, 1993 Benetton-Ford, 1994 Lola, 1996 Benetton-Renault), Allan McNish found that talent alone was not enough to secure a future in Formula 1. Despite excellent times and impressive performances, contracts were not forthcoming as a permanent pilot for these Formula 1 teams.
For the 1997 season, the Porsche works team contracted the amiable young race pilot as a test and development driver. At occasional outings in the FIA GT Championship he stunned his opponents with his clean, yet determined and spirited driving style. McNish received a standing ovation from enthusiastic American spectators at the Laguna Seca circuit in California, when he leapt ahead of the baffled Mercedes pilots in a display of superb and shrewd driving.
This year the true-blue Scotsman is determined to showcase his driving talents. After contributing substantially to the development of the new 911 GT1, Allan McNish is eager to repeat last year's Laguna Seca performance.
Born: December 29, 1969 in Dumfries (GB)
Lives in: Dumfries and Beaconsfield (GB)
Family status: single
Hobbies: Clay-pigeon shooting, fitness training
Favorite dish: Chinese
Favorite drink: Milk
Favorite music: The Doors, Third Eye Blind, Pop
Favorite reading: Biographies, ´Fever Pitch´ by Nick Hornby
Favorite film actor: Steve Martin, Ewan McGregor
Dream job if not racing driver: Astronaut, Farmer
Most beautiful place on earth, favorite cities: Scottish Highlands (although it can get quite chilly there), Buenos Aires
Impressive people outside racing: Richard Branson
Dream rival: Ayrton Senna
Favorite track in a GT: Suzuka
Best Porsche experience: the first test drive with the 911 GT1 in January 1997 at Paul Ricard
Allan McNish - Career:
| 1981-1986: | Scottish Karting Champion (6 times), Champion (3 times), 3rd place in the World Karting Championship |
| 1987: | Vice-Championship Formula Ford (GB) |
| 1988: | Overall sinner Vauxhall Lotus Challenge |
| 1989: | Vice-Championship Formula 3 (GB), 5 wins |
| 1990: | 4th place Formula 3000, 2 wins Formula 1 test driver McLaren-Honda |
| 1991-1992: | Formula 1 test driver McLaren-Honda, Formula 3000 |
| 1993: | Formula 1 test driver Benetton-Ford |
| 1994: | Formula 1 test driver Lola, Formula 3000 |
| 1995: | Formula 3000 for Paul Stewart team |
| 1996: | Formula 1 test driver Benetton-Renault |
| 1997: | Porsche works driver in FIA GT Championship |
| 1998: | Porsche works driver in FIA GT Championship and the Le Mans 24 Hours |
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