Sport in top gear despite costs

Standard road cars are used in many competitions

Motorsport in Scotland has so far been unscathed and has even flourished in the face of high fuel costs, according to those involved in events.

The Scottish Motor Racing Club (SMRC) said entries for its competitions were at record levels.

Followers of rallying said the pursuit had also not been seriously affected.

Meanwhile, Highland Car Club - based in an area where it costs about �1.19 for a litre of unleaded petrol - did not anticipate any major impact.

Club president Fiona Moir said its main events do not take place until autumn, when members may have a better idea what effect increased prices have had.

'Expensive business'

Kevin Pick, chairman of SMRC, told the BBC Scotland news website entries for events had risen from a usual 100 cars to 137 in April and 130 in June.

He said: "We run the majority of circuit racing in Scotland, with seven club race meetings a year.

"What we have found is record entries to the last two meetings, with a best-ever entry in April."

Shortening the race lengths to give competitors two chances to race and races being televised appealed to many of those taking part, said Mr Pick.

He added: "People tend to take up the sport when they can afford it.

"It is also one of the few sports where someone in their 60s can compete against youngsters."

One rally expert told the BBC Scotland news website the main reason for fuel costs not hitting hard was because anyone taking up the sport knew in advance it would be an expensive business.

Also events such as auto testing, which is competed in standard road cars, and navigational rallies do not involve significant mileage.

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