By HUGH HUNSTON,

Motoring Correspondent

EDINBURGH could boast an #80m motorsport, leisure, and commercial

centre incorporating unrivalled test facilities for car companies by

1994, if plans unveiled yesterday by triple former motor-racing world

champion Jackie Stewart are given local authority approval.

Mr Stewart, partnered by Edinburgh property company, McGregor

Holdings, said that the New Ingliston project, on a 254-acre site

adjacent to the city's airport, could provide 2700 jobs, and turn the

complex into an international centre for motorsport and motor industry

activity.

In addition to a two-mile Grand Prix standard racing circuit and motor

industry test facilities, the New Ingliston proposals would embody a

luxury hotel, multi-screen cinema, bowling alley, garden centre,

''autopark'' trading units, and heritage museum, within its perimeters.

Jackie Stewart, who designed the track, said his involvement with the

McGregor Holdings concept which includes personal investment, came after

persistent requests from throughout the world to participate in

developing race circuits.

The winner of 27 Grand Prix spoke enthusiastically about creating a

magnet for motor racing teams and car builders, starved currently of

facilities in Britain and Europe.

In his role as Ford and Bridgestone tyres consultant, Mr Stewart

covers thousands of miles testing prototype models and said it was

increasingly difficult to find locations for development work, a vacuum

he feels could be filled by New Ingliston.

''This is a unique, pioneering project and I want to see it happen in

Scotland first,'' he said. ''I am totally committed, but it must be all

or nothing, with the racing track and integrated racing and development

facility forming the hub.''

Both Mr Stewart and McGregor Holdings director Mr Roddie Paterson (a

club racer) emphasised the logistical importance of Ingliston with

nearby airport and good road connections, including close proximity to

the planned M8 extension between Maybury and Newbridge.

Britain's most successful racing driver admitted that he had

considered buying the Pembrey track in South Wales, but, after an

18-month period of study and appraisal, he was convinced the Edinburgh

complex had the necessary scope, resources, expertise, and finance.

Warner Brothers had already expressed strong interest and the reaction

to international canvassing about the hotel, leisure, and commercial

potential had been favourable, said Mr Stewart.

While the existing 24-year-old Ingliston racing track, housed in the

nearby Royal Highland Showground property, would become redundant, Mr

Stewart said the rejuvenated Fife Knockhill counterpart would be

complemented by a new major centre.

Mr Stewart said it was naive and too much of a dream to envisage a

Scottish Grand Prix at the proposed location because of a one country,

one race ruling, but most other classes of international car and

motor-cycle competition could be housed.

The basis would be regular club meetings climbing the scale to world

series sports car rounds, Formula Three and Formula 3000, the stepping

stones towards Grand Prix stardom.

Scotland, said Mr Stewart, had produced outstanding driving talent and

teams, despite, rather than because of local facilities. New Ingliston

could provide the proving ground for future stars.

As a potential incentive to Edinburgh District Council, McGregor

Holdings pledged to upgrade airport feeder roads and co-operate in

possible sharing of car ''park and ride'' facilities, if and when a rail

link between the airport and city centre is agreed and built.