James Scott Douglas

British racing driver and baronet

James Scott Douglas

Nationality|  British
Born| (1930-10-24)24 October 1930
Malmesbury, Wiltshire, England
Died| 16 July 1969(1969-07-16) (aged 38)
Cheshire, England

Sir James Louis Fitzroy Scott Douglas, 6th Baronet (24 October 1930 - 16 July 1969) was a British racing driver and a Baronet.[1]

## Early life and baronetcy[edit]

He was born in Malmesbury, Wiltshire. He succeeded his great uncle, Sir George Brisbane Scott Douglas, the 5th Baronet, who died in 1935 unmarried and without heirs, to the title 6th Baronet Douglas, of Springwood Park. James never resided at the family home of five generations, Springwood Park, near Kelso, Scottish Borders.[2]

He was educated at Wellington College, Berkshire,[2] before serving with the 15th/19th The King's Royal Hussars, where he gained the rank of 2nd Lieutenant.[2][3] He gained the rank of Lieutenant whilst serving with the Lothians and Border Horse.[3]

## Racing driver[edit]

James was a competent racing driver mainly between 1952 and 1954, but suffered from a congenital disorder, which made it difficult for him to keep his weight down.[4] Despite that, he raced in 1952 for Ecurie Ecosse in his own Jaguar XK120,[5] recording a number of good results, including a third place in the Grand Prix de Reims [6] and a sixth place in the British Empire Trophy.[7]

When the team switched to Jaguar C-Types, Scott Douglas needed to obtain one to remain at Ecurie Ecosse. However, all UK orders had been taken up, so he used his influence and brought an ‘export’ version from France for the 1953 season. He used this car to score his only victory, an unlimited national event at Castle Combe,[8] as well as his greatest racing achievement, when partnered by Guy Gale, he finished second in the 24 Heures de Spa Francorchamps.[9]

During the 1954 season, it became clear to James, that he was spending his inheritance too quickly, so he decided to move to Argentina and become a farmer. After he was left another inheritance, he returned to Britain to resume his hedonistic lifestyle. By now, he had tired of motor sport, and sold his C-Type and retired from racing.[4] After spending his second inheritance, he worked for the Daily Express newspaper selling advertising space, and auctioned the contents of Springwood Park, leaving the house to decay until it was demolished.[3][4]

## Death[edit]

Sir James Louis Fitzroy Scott Douglas died at the age of 38 in Bucklow, Cheshire.[10] Upon his death, his baronetcy became extinct.[2]

## Racing record[edit]

### Career highlights[edit]

Season  | Series  | Position  | Team  | Car

|
|
|
|

1952  | GP Reims [11] | 3rd  | Ecurie Ecosse | Jaguar XK120
| Wakefield Trophy [12] | 3rd  |  | Jaguar XK120
1953  | 24 Heures de Spa Francorchamps [13] | 2nd  | Ecurie Ecosse | Jaguar C-Type
1954  | Zandvoort International [14] | 2nd  | Ecurie Ecosse | Jaguar C-Type

### Complete 24 Hours of Spa results[edit]

Year  | Team  | Co-Drivers  | Car  | Class  | Laps  | Pos. | Class
Pos.

|
|
|
|
|
|
|

1953 |  Ecurie Ecosse |  Guy Gale | Jaguar C-Type | S  | 242  | 2nd  | 2nd

### Complete 12 Hours of Reims results[edit]

Year  | Team  | Co-Drivers  | Car  | Class  | Pos. | Class
Pos.

|
|
|
|
|
|

1953 |  Ecurie Ecosse |  Ninian Sanderson | Jaguar C-Type | S+2..0  | 2nd  | 2nd

## References[edit]

1. ^ GRO Register of Births: DEC 1930 5a 76 MALMESBURY - James L F S Douglas, mmn=Wiltshire
2. ^ a b c d Charles Mosley, “Burke’s Peerage, Baronetage & Knightage" (Burke’s Peerage (Genealogical Books), ISBN 978-1-579580834, 1999)
3. ^ a b c "Voyage of the Vampire: The extraordinary travels of the adventurer George Henry Douglas Scott » Douglas Family History". Archived from the original on 7 September 2015. Retrieved 28 January 2016.
4. ^ a b c "Sir James Louis Fitzroy Scott Douglas, Living 1935".
5. ^ "James Scott Douglas (GB) - All Results - Racing Sports Cars".
6. ^ "GP Reims".
7. ^ "British Empire Trophy".
8. ^ "National Castle Combe [Unlimited]".
9. ^ "Spa 24 Hours".
10. ^ Civil Registration Death Index, General Register Office; United Kingdom; Volume: 10a; p. 356
11. ^ "GP Reims".
12. ^ "Wakefield Trophy [Formula Libre]".
13. ^ "Spa 24 Hours".
14. ^ "Zandvoort International [S+2.0]".

Baronetage of Great Britain

Preceded by

George Brisbane Scott Douglas

|  Baronet
(of Maxwell)
1935–1969  | Extinct