Dario's dream move stalls; RACE STAR'S HOME REFIT DRAGS ON.

Byline: By CHARLES LAVERY

SPEED king Dario Franchitti is still waiting to move into his dream Scottish mansion - four years after starting a pounds 1.5million makeover.

The massive restoration of Rednock House at Port of Menteith, Stirlingshire, has left the Scots IndyCar champ's Hogmanay plans in the pit lane.

The race ace and Hollywood star wife Ashley Judd, 39, wanted their 200-year-old baronial pile ready for a romantic New Year.

But sources say strict regulations on listed buildings have slowed progress.

Dario, 34, originally from Bathgate, West Lothian, made his frustration clear while in Scotland over Christmas.

The Sunday Mail Sports Personality Of The Year said: "We're trying to rebuild an old house but it's proving difficult.

"I love being home and Ashley loves it here too, especially in summer."

The couple paid pounds 1.2million for the B-listed house in 2004 and at least pounds 1.5million on renovations - including pounds 500,000 on a showpiece garage for his 20 cars.

The final restoration bill could top pounds 6million for the couple, who also spent pounds 650,000 on a stop-gap home near Edinburgh last year.

Dario took America by storm at the 2007 IndyCar Series, becoming the first Scot to win since his hero Jim Clark in 1965.

The house will have a tribute room dedicated to the race ace, who died in a crash in 1968.

Dario has had two brushes with death this year.

He said: "I had a couple of big flips in Michigan and Kentucky within five days of each other.

"An inch either way and I might not be here."

Dario said that the car he crashed will take pride of place in a racing museum at his new home.

SUNDAY EMAIL 

[e-mail]

CAPTION(S):

Port of call: Dario and Ashley can't wait to move to Stirlingshire; Race is on: At Dario's new pad