Alasdair McCaig on Écurie Écosse’s revival: “The goal is to get back to Le Mans”

The GT World Challenge Europe season opener at Paul Ricard marked a significant milestone for Écurie Écosse, as the #56 Aston Martin Vantage GT3 made its debut. With Jonny Adam, Giacomo Petrobelli and Tom Wood sharing driving duties, the team finished tenth in the Bronze Cup, three laps behind the class winner, after a composed and faultless six-hour run. It was a debut built on foundations rather than headlines.

And for a team with such a storied past, every new beginning carries weight.

From Privateers to Icons

Founded in 1951 by Edinburgh racer David Murray, Écurie Écosse rose rapidly from privateer roots to global recognition. Its defining chapter came at the 24 Hours of Le Mans, where the team stunned the sport with back-to-back victories in 1956 and 1957 with the Jaguar D-Type — the latter a commanding 1–2 finish.

But Écurie Écosse’s legacy is not defined by results alone, it is also reflected in the calibre of drivers who passed through its ranks.

In its formative years, the team became a proving ground for some of Britain’s finest racing talent. Names such as Jim Clark and Sir Jackie Stewart were associated with the team in its broader racing activities, while established figures like Roy Salvadori — a Le Mans winner himself — helped shape its endurance racing pedigree.

This blend of emerging talent and experienced racers gave Écurie Écosse a unique identity: a team capable of nurturing future legends while competing at the very highest level.

Rebuilding a Legacy

After fading in the 1960s, the team returned in the 1980s under Hugh McCaig, proving its relevance all over again by winning the 1986 C2 World Championship. Success in touring cars and GT racing followed, reinforcing Écurie Écosse as more than just a historic name.

Alasdair McCaig: Proven in GT Racing

At the centre of Écurie Écosse’s modern revival is Alasdair McCaig, a driver-turned-team principal with a strong record in GT and endurance racing.

McCaig’s modern GT career began in 2011 with an entry at the Spa 24 Hours, marking the start of a sustained programme in GT3 competition. Racing primarily in Pro-Am categories, he became a consistent podium contender in the British GT Championship, competing against manufacturer-backed teams.

His most significant achievement came in 2014, when Écurie Écosse secured the British GT Championship title in the GT3 class — an important milestone that confirmed the team’s return to the top level of domestic GT racing. That season included multiple podium finishes and race-winning performances, underlining both pace and consistency.

Beyond British GT, McCaig also competed internationally, including further appearances at the Spa 24 Hours, where strong finishes in one of GT racing’s toughest events added further weight to his résumé.

Speaking to GT REPORT at the Goodwood Revival 2025, he reflected: “Last time I sort of raced modern GT3 cars was around 2018… and I started GT racing in 2011 with the Spa 24 Hours. It’s incredible, it’s grown into such a massive sport now. We have started a new partnership with Blackthorn Racing, so we’ll run the team together.”

The Blackthorn Partnership

At the core of this resurgence is the collaboration with Blackthorn Racing.

“With our partnership with Blackthorn Racing, it’s incredible to get that together in the first place… but the goal is to get the team back to Le Mans.”

The timing aligns with the 70th anniversary of the team’s 1956 Le Mans victory, adding deeper significance.

McCaig’s official statement reflects that ambition.

“It’s a tremendous privilege to lead a team with such a storied heritage. We’re proud of our recent accomplishments and excited to embark on this new chapter, honouring the legacy while embracing fresh opportunities in modern motorsport. Écurie Écosse remains deeply committed to excellence, and we’re thrilled to join forces with Blackthorn to bring our vision to life on the 70th anniversary of the Le Mans victory.”

With programmes spanning the European Le Mans Series and British GT, the pathway is clearly defined.

Asian Le Mans Series: From Promise to Proof

The clearest indicator of the team’s trajectory came in the Asian Le Mans Series 2025-2026, where Écurie Écosse partnered with Blackthorn to re-establish itself on the international stage. Running the Aston Martin Vantage AMR GT3 Evo, the team opened with a podium at Sepang, immediately showing competitive intent. While consistency fluctuated across the season, the pace remained evident. The breakthrough came in the Abu Dhabi finale, where the team secured a GT class victory, a result that underlined both speed and execution. By season’s end, Écurie Écosse Blackthorn finished sixth in the GT Teams’ Championship, a campaign defined less by standings and more by progression — from contenders to race winners.

Precision vs Passion

Few team principals straddle eras quite like McCaig.

“The modern cars — I love the whole pressure and the focus, and all the data… all the team members involved in running that one car. The historic side… is more relaxed, more sociable — you can catch up with friends, and it’s great fun.”

That dual identity defines Écurie Écosse today.

Still Racing

McCaig continues to balance that professional focus with a passion for historic racing. Despite his leadership role, he remains active behind the wheel, competing in a variety of historic machinery.

“Goodwood Revival is a great event, there’s obviously nothing like it in the world… I’ve raced here for the last 15 years… it’s great to be a part of it.”

His connection to Goodwood runs deep. “I won the Gordon Trophy back in 2012 and did various other races over the years. My favourite cars I have driven here are probably the old Cooper T53 — an old Grand Prix car — and then the Ferrari 500 TRC. That was a very special car. Driving anything around Goodwood is just special.”

Reflecting on a busy historic racing calendar, McCaig highlighted a particularly rewarding outing at Silverstone. “I was driving two cars at the Silverstone Festival. One was an AC Cobra, which is a fantastic car I’ve been driving quite a lot around Europe in the last 12–18 months, and then my own car, the Lola de Cadenet. It was specifically built for Le Mans, so maybe not the best tool for the job at Silverstone, because it’s quite a technical track. But the car ran well, we ended up fifth and won our class, so it was a good weekend.”

Looking ahead, his ambitions remain rooted in endurance racing. “I would like to get into Group C racing again, which I used to do a lot, and we would like to do Le Mans Classic again hopefully in the de Cadenet next year, so we’ll take it back there and see if we can get a good result. It would also be great to drive a Jaguar D-Type here at Goodwood or at Le Mans Classic, but I might have to speak to someone nicely in the paddock.”

Says McCaig with a smile, looking around the paddock.

Those moments behind the wheel — balancing heritage with competition — offer a reminder of what continues to drive Écurie Écosse forward, as the team’s broader ambitions come sharply back into focus.

The Road Back to Le Mans

From a clean debut in GT World Challenge Europe to a race-winning campaign in Asia, the foundations are firmly in place. The Blackthorn partnership provides the structure. And the objective is unmistakable.

A return to Le Mans. Écurie Écosse currently sits on the reserve list for this year’s 24 Hours of Le Mans, with a potential driver line-up that includes Scottish driver Dario Franchitti, a name that adds further weight to the team’s historic identity and endurance racing pedigree. For now, their place on the grid is not yet guaranteed. But in many ways, that uncertainty only adds to the narrative, echoing the spirit of a team that has built its legacy on perseverance and opportunity.

Should the call come, it would mark a fitting return. A Scottish team, carrying one of motorsport’s most iconic names, back at Le Mans with another generation of drivers ready to write the next chapter. And from everyone watching — fans, followers, and the wider motorsport community — there is a shared hope: that Écurie Écosse gets its chance. And takes it.