FIFE TOURING CAR star Gordon Shedden doffed his crash helmet in salute to a legend of the sport when they met at Knockhill.

Jack Sears, the man who took the first British Touring Car crown half a century ago, spent time swapping racing stories with his 29-year-old contemporary, who has his sights on clinching the same crown.

The 78-year-old Norfolk farmer said that Shedden’s 300bhp Honda was light years ahead of the Austin Westminster he drove in the 1958 season.

He added that it was a wonderful racing car packed with today’s technology, even managing to look fast while it is standing still.

Sears, who is president of the Ferrari Owners Club of Great Britain, added, “I wish Gordon well and hope he is Touring Car champion one day as there is no feeling like it.”

Shedden, of Team Halfords Honda, acknowledged Sears’ many racing achievements—apart from being a BTCC champion he drove for Lotus and was team-mate to one of his heroes, Jim Clark, when they raced Lotus Cortinas in the 1960s.

“You’ve got to be a bit special for Lotus to sign you up and it’s been a pleasure and an honour to meet him, he’s a gentleman,” he added.