Bikes roar back
The BSB returns to Knockhill after Scots aces enjoy BTCC success south of Border
BOSSES at Knockhill are looking forward to capacity crowds and thrills galore as the British Superbike Championship rocks up for the next three days.
Thousands of enthusiasts are expected to watch elbow-to-elbow riding involving both the 180mph superbikes and the supporting series at the challenging Fife circuit.
Local interest will focus on reigning champ Tarran Mackenzie, from Stirlingshire, and Perth sensation Rory Skinner, who has already marked himself out as a title contender.
Knockhill events director Stuart Gray said: “We cannot wait to see the spectator bankings full again with enthusiastic, knowledgeable fans who simply love the spectacle of such top-class racing.
“These riders are among the best in the world, including some just returned from the Isle of Man, and will put on a show that is our fastest of the year – it is simply breathtaking.”
FS-3 Kawasaki rider Skinner commented: “It’ll be great to have the full capacity of fans and I can’t wait to be in front of my home crowd.”
And that was echoed by McAMS Yamaha rival Mackenzie, who added: “I’m really looking forward to getting stuck in this weekend. Knockhill is a special track for me.”
Elsewhere, Kelty’s Dean MacDonald will be in GT World Challenge Europe Sprint Cup action at Zandvoort in the Netherlands on board a Garage 59 McLaren 720S this weekend.
Meanwhile, Aiden Moffat kick-started his British Touring Car Championship season with a stunning second place at Oulton Park in Cheshire last Sunday.
It was the best weekend the Dalkeith driver has had this year in the Laser Tools Infiniti Q50, as he added 12th and 11th-place finishes.
He said: “I’ve never shown the pace in the car that the team have given me. I let them down a bit so to bounce back and reward them for all their hard work with a podium, yes, it is special.”
There was more joy for his teammate, Glasgow’s Dexter Patterson, as he scored his maiden point in the series, finishing 15th in race three.
Knockhill-based Gordon Shedden and Rory Butcher also bagged excellent hauls of points.
Honda Civic Type R driver Shedden was placed sixth, fifth and fourth, while Toyota Corolla pilot Butcher was third, fourth and fifth.
Joe Tanner grabbed third in the supporting MINI Challenge UK. The Dunfermline racer had a great weekend – adding a fourth place in
race two, while Fifer Ronan Pearson was 11th and eighth and Falkirk’s Jack Davidson was seventh in both outings.
Dunbar racer Hannah Chapman had her best weekend – coming home 15th and 16th – Peebles star Robbie Dalgleish was 10th and 11th, and Perth youngster Ru Clark was 12th and 13th.
Teenager Oliver Stewart, from Beauly, racked up two rookie podiums in the F4 series at Oulton. The youngster, in his debut car-racing season, was eighth and seventh overall before having to retire in the final race of the weekend.
British GT4 front-runner Ross Wylie, from Dumfriesshire, was in the Porsche Carrera Cup with Toro Verde and came home sixth and seventh at Oulton.
Fellow British GT race Ian Loggie, from Motherwell, had a win and two third places in the GT Cup at Snetteron.
The Road To Le Mans saw Penicuik racer Colin Noble join Tony Wells on the podium ahead of the famous 24-hour race as they brought the Neilson Racing Ligier home third before taking ninth place in race two.
The Scottish Motor Racing Club held their reverse lap meeting at Knockhill. Ryan Smith won the Citroen C1 Cup while John Kinmond took two victories in the Classics.
Liam McGill was also a double winner as he dominated the Fiesta ST Cup races. The MINIs saw Jamie Blake take R53 honours in both outings while the Cooper spoils went to Michael Weddell, Chad Little and Ryan Smith.