The green light is on at Inverbreakie Raceway today (Saturday 31 August) as John Thurso MP raises the chequered flag to officially open the newly completed track.

The new business will create 18 jobs in Invergordon, from track marshals to catering staff, but the owners are keen to stress this is no ordinary karting venture.  It also offers corporate management training centred around racing and husband and wife team, David and Jane Wilson, will prove it is possible to combine business with pleasure at the new centre.  Not only will the venture allow Mr Wilson to combine his lifelong passion for karting with his career background in management training, visitors to the centre will be able to mix intensive training in the purpose built lecture rooms with fun on the track.

Mr Wilson, who was a training and development director for an Aberdeen financial services firm, believes Inverbreakie Raceway will be the only track in Britain to offer management training. 

He said:  "The track will be open to the public in the evenings and at weekends but we hope our combined training and karting packages will be a big draw with corporate clients from all over the UK. 

"I'm really pleased at the interest shown by companies at this early stage," he continued,  "and we hope to stimulate some healthy competition within local businesses and youth groups by encouraging them to enter regular competitions."

In addition to racing and training facilities, the complex at Inverbreakie Farm Steading in Ross-shire boasts a fully licensed bar, restaurant, coffee shop and a children's 'Skidz Bar', and should prove a popular venue with locals. 

Lord Thurso said:  "This is perhaps one of the most fast-paced openings I've attended.  It is a great social centre for local people to use and the area should see spin-off benefits generated from the groups it attracts to the area."

Gordon Cox, chief executive of Ross & Cromarty Enterprise, which awarded £64,500 to the business, also attended the opening of the £250,000 project.  He said:  "I am delighted to see the racetrack fully functional as it is a great resource for the area.  It's good news on the jobs front too.  With 18 people employed it is a boost to the local area.  And who knows, perhaps Invergordon will produce the next Michael Schumacher.  At the very least it will put Easter Ross on the British karting map."