Racing driver. Born in Bathgate and brought up there and in Whitburn, Franchitti was educated at Stewart's Melville College in Edinburgh. He began his career in karting, becoming the Scottish Junior Champion at the age of eleven. By 1994, he was having success in Formula 3 racing. Franchitti moved to the USA becoming involved in the Championship Auto Racing Teams (CART) competitions, almost clinching the championship in 1999. His career was temporarily suspended following a motorcycle accident, but he returned to racing in 2004. He won the Indianapolis 500 in 2007.
He is now based in Nashville (Tennessee), Franchitti married Hollywood film star Ashley Judd at Skibo Castle, near Dornoch, in 2001.
