Alexander James Cormack

7/5/1907 - 4/10/1993

Record updated 04-Oct-21

Scottish racing driver who was the first factory Alta driver. Involved in the Scottish motor industry he was one of the contributors to the legendary Ecurie Ecosse transporter.

Born in Edinburgh, Scotland, Cormack was a member of the family which owned the Cormack Shipping Line.

Cormack’s motor racing career started in 1933 on Kirkcaldy sands. In 1934 he entered the Kausen hillclimb in his 1100cc supercharged Alta, finishing third in the 1100cc class.

In 1935 he raced on many circuits including Dieppe and became a factory Alta driver in 1936, a highlight of the season being the Prince Ranier Cup at Monaco.

After the war Cormack became involved in the commercial aviation industry and the garage trade, becoming managing director of his wife's family business which had the Rootes franchise in Edinburgh. He was also the President of the Scottish Motor Trade Association, and indeed it was Alastair Cormack who gifted the Commer truck chassis to David Murray as the basis of the famous Ecurie Ecosse transporter.




With thanks to Ken Jones