Born in Twynholm, a small village in the South West of Scotland with a population of less than 300 David Coulthard would appear to be the last person you'd think was a F1 World Champion contender, but a closer look at his background give you insight into what may be the secret formula to get to the top.

Twynholm, has a school, shop/postoffice, and 2 pubs. Surrounded by farmland the village relies on the farming community and the tradesman that support them. However it is difficult to miss the large shed in the centre of the village with the imposing red lettering, "Hayton Coulthard". The company was started by David's grandfather in 1916, and is now managed by his older brother Duncan. You can find out more about the business at www.haytoncoulthard.com.

Dumfries and Galloway has an enviable record of producing world class racing drivers with the late Innes Ireland, the first Scot to ever win a Grand Prix, coming first with Lotus at the 1961 US Grand Prix at Watkins Glen. He attending the same school as David and his father. Recently Allan McNish from Dumfries, has been annouced as the next Scottish F1 driver, when he drives the new Toyota in the 2002 season.

The dominant force for so many years was of course Jim Clark, two times world champion living at the eastside of the Scottish Border, followed by Jackie Stewart the three times world champion. What better conditions could there be for planting the seeds of ambition in a young boy's head!

David's father, a keen karter himself, was delighted when at 12 years old, David decided he would like to try kart racing. His first race was at Larkhall, Strathclyde, where in the words of Brian Smith, a Coulthard sponsored karter, "he just could not get his breaking point for the right-hand corner at the end of the straight...... I got an old crisp packet, laid it on the outside of the track at the breaking point..... David showed complete faith and braked at the crisp packet and that was the problem solved" But Brian Smith is more famously know for painting the now world renowned blue and white saltire on David's helmet.

As they say the rest is history. David still visits Twynholm regularly. At Christmas he often has a pint will all his old school mates in the Masonic Arms in Kirkcudbright, or in the Star in Twynholm.

More recently many visitors to the Museum were surprised to see him clear the tables and wash dishes for his sister-in-law in the Pit Stop Diner.

Fame and forture have not changed David, and given the chance he still talks about his early racing days with the same enthusiasm a young driver at the start of his career might have.

At 36 years old, DC has still many years of racing in the top flight and many years to add to his impressive collection of trophies!