Scots aim for BTCC success at Knockhill 27 | 07 | 2022

    THE BRITISH TOURING CAR Championship makes its annual pilgrimage to Knockhill this weekend, and four Scots will be gunning for glory in the triple-header on the tight, but blindingly quick 1.27-mile Fife circuit, writes Jim McGill. (Related: Mitchell bids for another Spa24H podium — Full preview)

    While three-time BTCC champ Gordon Shedden (pictured below) heads to his home circuit fresh from winning last time out at Croft in his Halfords Racing Honda Civic Type R, fellow Scots Aiden Moffat and Dexter Patterson will be hoping for solid results in their matching Laser Tools Racing Infinitis.

    Fifer Rory Butcher meanwhile, who bagged a podium finish in the last race at Croft, is hoping to repeat the actions of Knockhill three years ago when he scored his maiden pole position. The now 35-year-old from Kirkcaldy followed that up immediately with the first of two victories he’s notched at his home circuit. (Related: Butcher dominates Knockhill BTCC win)

    Butcher heads to Knockhill fresh from the mid-season summer break eager to climb back behind the wheel of his Toyota Gazoo Racing UK Corolla and fight for another victory in front of his home supporters.

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    “We’ve obviously had a bit of a break from the BTCC over the past few weeks, but I’ve still had plenty going on,” Butcher (pictured below) explained. “There was the Goodyear tyre test earlier this month, and then I raced a classic Porsche at Snetterton, so it’s been a nice combination of seat time and downtime. But as much as I feel refreshed, I’m definitely ready to go again. (Related: Butcher bags first-ever BTCC pole position)

    “For me, there could be no better place to begin the second half of the season than Knockhill. I absolutely love competing there – it just feels so different to every other event on the calendar.

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    “The BTCC only travels to Scotland once a year, and the fans embrace it with a passion. As a driver, that phenomenal support gives you such a lift and really helps you to extract that final tenth-of-a-second,” Butcher, who has been on the BTCC podium three times this season, continued. (Related: Butcher wins Knockhill BTCC thriller)

    “The track itself poses a unique challenge; the first sector is really undulating, and from Duffus Dip, you don’t stop turning until you exit the chicane, which you approach completely blind at over 100mph! It’s just a very busy lap that tends to produce exciting racing in an amazing amphitheatre-like setting.

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    “We left Knockhill last year feeling we’d got the Corolla into a really strong place. We were flying in the final race, where I set the fastest lap, so I’m very hopeful that by adopting that set-up as a starting point this time around, we can be fast from the outset.

    “There’s naturally more expectation and pressure on my shoulders than when we go to other circuits, but it’s a track I know well and I want to come away smiling and with a big haul of points. If that includes a trophy or two, all the better...”

    Butcher arrives at Knockhill lying sixth in the title race and just five points ahead of his brother-in-law Shedden. Both Scots know though they need to start consistent wins and podiums over the second half of the season if they are to reel in leading duo of Tom Ingram (Hyundai i30N) and Josh Cook (Honda Civic) who are separated by just three points. Ingram holds a not insurmountable 58pt advantage over Butcher.

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    Lurking ominously behind the two leaders are former champs Colin Turkington (BMW) and Ash Sutton (Ford).

    Tickets are available  for the weekend directly from Knockhill. But if you can’t make it to the circuit, Saturday afternoon’s qualifying session at 3.15pm will be broadcast on itv.com/btcc.

    Sunday’s bumper-to-bumper action will be shown live and in high-definition on ITV’s main channel from noon, prior to switching to ITV4 at 2.55pm.

    Related; Shedden reflects on trile BTCC title

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    Jim McGill

     

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