There’s no place like home
TOURING CARS Gordon Shedden says racing at his local track has only limited advantages, but admits Knockhill is ‘unique’, writes Stewart Weir
‘THERE can’t be many racetracks in the world with a view as good as that,” says Gordon Shedden, looking south from Knockhill, down over the Firth of Forth, surveying the three magnificent structures that now cross the watery expanse. However, to be fair, such a sight should always be considered a bonus when paying a visit to this particular location.
Because, be it January or July, there is never a guarantee that this lofty Fifeshire centre of motorsport will offer up such a landscape. Simply, Knockhill has its very own microclimate. All of which, as it has proved in the past, invariably makes the Scottish stop-over of the British Touring Car Championship an interesting occasion.
“Four seasons in one day? Make that four seasons in once race,” jokes Shedden, the reigning BTCC champion, who is looking forward to what is often described as his home round. “It is home, in as much as I live here, I also work here, and, being a Scot, it is my ‘local’ event.
“But to be honest, and this isn’t an excuse, the only advantage I have over the other drivers is that I spend the weekend in my own bed, rather than in a hotel.
“We have a couple of practice sessions, and then qualifying. But such is the standard of the drivers involved in this series that within half a dozen laps, they are on it. It doesn’t take long for them to remember, even if there is a lot to remember around here.”
The 37-year-old, who answers to the nickname Flash – you can work it out for yourself – has now pedalled his Yuasa Honda to two titles in four years, matching countryman John Cleland’s brace from the 1980s and 90s. That individual success is one of the reasons the BTCC’s annual sojourn north counts as Scotland’s biggest motorsport occasion. Another, is that it makes a spectacular, noisy and colourful day out for petrol heads of different generations.
“Knockhill, 20-plus years ago, was considered more of a bike circuit, and a lot of that was down to the British Superbike series, when the likes of Steve Hislop and Niall Mackenzie were the guys to watch. But over the years – and I might be biased here – I think the touring cars have taken over that mantle,” said Shedden, who has 43 career race wins to his name, including last time out at Snetterton. “The racing is always close, which in no small measure has been due to the work the championship organisers have put in to make the cars as evenly matched at they can, despite the different technology and cars.
“The cars are also recognisable; they look like what you might drive to work, the names and manufacturers are instantly known. So that is an attraction. And so is the fact that you can see the championship first hand, and through TV. It all makes for a complete package.”
And the weather? “Aye, that is the one thing that does take a hand in things around here, not always a helping hand either. You can have everything sorted out one day, and get a cracking qualifying time.
“And the next day you can barely see the car next to you. Sometimes you need reminding that it is summer when we race here. But the spectators lap it up, as they do the racing.
“It is tight around Knockhill and there are not too many passing places here, so, you have to make your own at times. A lap takes under a minute, so there is plenty to watch. It all adds to the occasion, and in some respects, makes this place unique.”
The drivers return from their summer holidays today after a month-long break. “It’s been going well, so far,” says Shedden currently fourth in the standings, 25 points adrift of table leader Rob Collard, but with a dozen races still to run including three this afternoon. “So plenty of points to race for. Although I won’t be alone in thinking that.”
Dalkeith’s Aiden Moffat is another with something to prove. A year ago, he recorded his first BTCC podium at Knockhill, and can’t wait to return.
“It’s great to have family and friends watching on, but I love racing here,” said Moffat, who as a 16-yearold, was the youngest ever driver in the BTCC. He can hardly be called a veteran, having yet to reach his 20th birthday. But, he has seen the highs and lows of tin-top racing.
“Getting on the podium a year ago, it took a wee while to take the smile off my face,” said the Laser Tools Mercedes driver. “But 2016 has been frustrating. We’ve had good pace, great pace when I stuck it on the front row in qualifying at Thruxton.
“Putting it together in the races though hasn’t been easy. We’ve had some horrendous luck so hopefully we can put that behind us this weekend especially.”