Sir Jackie Stewart is leading a drive to encourage more young people into motorsport and continue Scotland's long tradition of success on the race track.

A partnership between sportscotland and motorsport governing bodies will see £360,000 invested over the next four years to develop the sport and increase opportunities for people across the country to try motor racing, biking and rallying at all levels.

Three-time F1 world champion Sir Jackie is part of an illustrious group of Scottish motorsport greats including Jim Clark, Colin McRae and Dario Franchitti.

Their successes inspired the likes of Paul di Resta and Susie Wolff to pursue successful motorsport careers, and Sir Jackie wants to see more trying it.

The 76-year-old said: "Scotland needs more champions in the world of motorsport. To be global champions is a very big challenge.

"We have to excite more people in Scotland about motorsport in general. We have also got to encourage more people to come to racing and rally events.

"For a wee country we have done almost better than any country in the world with regards to the number of top motor racing and motor cyclists per head of population.

"It would be very good for Scotland to invest more to develop more talent in motorsport."

The Herald: TWO OF A KIND: Lewis Hamilton and Sir Jackie Stewart. Picture: Oliver Multhaup/AP

The investment will see umbrella body Scottish Motor Sports (SMS) appoint a national development manager and development officer to deliver a new strategy to increase membership by 10% by working with clubs to bring in more qualified coaches.

Speaking at the launch at Ingliston on Tuesday, sportscotland chief executive Stewart Harris said: "Scotland's success on the world stage in motorsport is unrivalled and we rightly celebrate the incredible achievements of sporting icons like Sir Jackie Stewart and emerging talent like Rory Skinner.

"But success on the world stage does not happen by chance. It requires a strong club structure, qualified coaches, an army of volunteers and above all, the opportunity to take part.

"This new partnership is about providing SMS with the resources to capitalise on the popularity of the sport and to give more people the chance to experience the excitement for themselves.

"This initiative, together with others like Susie Wolff's Dare to Be Different programme for girls, have a big part to play in highlighting participation opportunities in motorsport in Scotland and, crucially, to create more."