He is seen by many as a ‘flying’ Scotsman around the race track, but three-time British touring car champion Gordon Shedden can now literally lay claim to the title.
The 38-year-old Fifer has managed to land his very own private pilot’s licence.
Away from the thrills and spills of the British Touring Car Championship (BTCC) and his normal day job at Knockhill, the Honda Yuasa Racing Team driver – whose nickname is Flash – has been hard at work honing his skills in the cockpit.
Shedden has carried out hours of rigorous flying training in recent months and is now qualified to fly almost every single-engine aircraft after passing his private pilot’s licence test earlier this week.
He joked on Istagram: “Welcome to Flash Airways. PPL passed today – a lot of hard work but loving every minute. #FlashIsAPilot.”
His latest achievement sparked a flood of congratulatory messages on social media, with fellow Scot and four-time IndyCar champion Dario Franchitti among those wishing him well.
Shedden is gearing up for another crack at the BTCC crown this year, having won the title for the second successive year in the 2016 season.
He first won the BTCC in 2012, joining race legends John Cleland and Jim Clark as the only Scottish drivers to have won the overall championship title.