THE BVAC Classic festival of motoring in the Borders was a huge success at the weekend – especially for Road Record reader Eric Leggat.
He picked up the keys to a classic Mini Cooper from Scottish rugby great Doddie Weir after winning a raffle in aid of the My Name’5 Doddie Foundation on Sunday.
In fact, the fundraising efforts at the annual event run by the Borders Vintage Automobile Club at Thirlestane Castle, Lauder, netted £13,000 for the foundation, which supports research into motor neurone disease.
Winner Eric, from Bothwell, Lanarkshire, said: “After reading about the BVAC Classic in Road Record, I decided to go to the show and, naturally, I am absolutely thrilled to have won the classic Mini in the raffle.
“I have always loved Minis and this is a dream come true. It was also a real pleasure to meet Doddie Weir and great to know that the car has raised so much money for his brilliant charity. Now I look forward to driving my little Mini around Glasgow and beyond.”
The 1275cc Mini Cooper in flame red and sporting a white roof was meticulously refurbished by BVAC deputy chairman Ken Grimes as part of the festival’s Year of the Mini theme to mark the 60th birthday of the British motoring icon.
And the car was arguably the star of the show – attended by thousands of people who flocked to see more than 1200 classic and vintage vehicles of all shapes and sizes.
Among the other highlights was a Jim Clark Special Edition Lotus Evora GT410 Sport signed by F1 drivers at the Monaco Grand Prix.
The sports car – the main prize in another charity competition, for the Jim Clark Trust – was on show as the organisation promoted the opening of the new £1.65million Jim Clark Motorsport Museum in nearby Duns, which will take place on July 11.
Go to www.bvac.org.uk and www.jimclarklotus.com to find out more.
