Tributes have been paid to former Dundee racing driver Jim Dryden, who has died at the age of 76.
Mr Dryden was Scottish test-driving champion three years running in the early 1960s.
Fellow Dundee driver John Fyda (65) paid tribute to the man who encouraged his own motoring success.
“He was inspirational in getting me behind the wheel, ” said Mr Fyda, who was a champion junior kart racer and enjoyed successful stints in World Sportscar and Clubman’s racing.
“I greatly admired his talent and our friendship just happened along.
“He was a real character. I think he viewed me as something of a protege, which was lucky for me. He was larger than life and was a great friend.”
Brian Cocks from the British Motor Racing Club said, “Jim was a great character and a friend for 60 years.
“I moved to Dundee in 1960 to look after the Parker Pen Company’s interests in the north of Scotland and founded the Dundee Centre of the 750 Motor Club. Jim was one of the first and keenest members.
“At this time the Mini was winning everything from circuit racing to the Monte Carlo Rally and Jim acquired one.
“He entered everything and won most. I have great memories of competing against him grass track racing in Camperdown Park, in circuit sprints at Errol and Gask and at the first race meeting at Ingliston.
“We took teams, called the Dundee Spinners and the Dundee Weavers, to the Oulton Park and Croft relay races.
“Jackie Stewart, who was racing in the event, remembers his delight at seeing the two Scottish teams kitted out in matching white overalls.
“At the other end of the scale Jim had become the UK driving test champion and the winner of the Dundee Trophy for the best all-rounder. He was a brilliant competitor and a super guy.”
Mr Dryden died at Ninewells Hospital after contracting pneumonia.
Born in 1934, he grew up in the west end and was a pupil at Harris Academy.
After two years’ national service, he was married to Elizabeth Knox in 1956.
He was involved in the family potato business in his early life, but it was his love of motor cars that would become the hallmark of Mr Dryden’s career and he quickly carved out a reputation for himself in motor racing, becoming Scottish test driving champion three years running in the early 1960s.
He ran a successful garage business from Lundie from 1967 until the late 1990s when he retired. A keen golfer, he was a member of Alyth Golf Club.
His wife Elizabeth died in 1983 and his daughter Heather died in 1998.
He remarried in 1987 and is survived by his wife Betty and children Ian, Susan, James and Caroline, 13 grandchildren and a great-grandchild.