BTCC: Knockhill Preview
The KwikFit British Touring Car Championship heads north for its annual trip to Knockhill for rounds 22, 23 and 24 of the championship. The series itself is reaching fever pitch as we get ever closer to that Brands Hatch finale and with the Knockhill circuit always throwing up plenty of surprises, who knows what could happen this weekend.
Looking back at the previous rounds at Thruxton, Sam Tordoff, Josh Cook and Dan Cammish all stood on the top step of the podium on that particular weekend and all three will be looking to carry the momentum forward this weekend.
With three race weekends remaining on the calendar, there are still more than 200 points on offer to the drivers. Colin Turkington Currently leads the standings with a 30 point advantage over his nearest rival, his team mate, Andrew Jordan. The chasing pack which are led by Honda Yuasa Racing's Dan Cammish, are waiting to pounce on any mistake made by the leading duo,
Knockhill has always been a fan and driver favourite in the BTCC and is traditionally a source for some vintage touring car action with the rollercoaster circuit comprising of undulations, big kerbs and plenty of overtaking areas.
Even though the trip to Hampshire didn't prove fruitful for the BMW trio of Turkington, Jordan and Oliphant, they will be buoyed by the fact that BMW's in general have been very successful around the Knockhill circuit and will yet again pose a threat. Having said that, the in form man without a doubt is Dan Cammish. The Yorkshireman had such a good weekend at Thruxton, it meant he has thrown himself back into the title fight being only four points shy of Andrew Jordan in second place. Josh Cook meanwhile, continues to be a dark horse in the series and sits a further four points back from Cammish in the standings.
Fife's very own Rory Butcher is another man who won't be counting himself out of the title fight just yet. Being back on home turf will give him an added edge coming into the weekend as he works at the circuit as a performance driver.
Speaking to BTCC.net, Butcher had this to say.
"We’re still in the running and we’ll be giving it everything,” said Butcher. “It’s my ‘home ground’ and racing up in Scotland at Knockhill is always such a buzz. The fans make it what it is, and I’ll do my best to send them home happy.
“For any Scottish driver that races up in Scotland – myself and Aiden (Moffat) at the moment – it’s an unreal feeling. The supporters will have been watching the BTCC all season, so they’ll be champing at the bit to see the Scots in action. My family and friends, too, have seen me grow up around the sport and I can always count on them to cheer me on. It’ll be fantastic. It’s their only opportunity to come to a nearby circuit and watch me race!
“I’ve been relishing racing this Honda at Knockhill since I first tested at the circuit back in March. I’m feeling good. All I can do is my best, and we’ll have to see what happens. I have a good understanding of how the car will behave and how we can get the most out of it there.
“I won’t change my approach. The key is to take advantage when you’re on form and when the car’s working for you. You’ve got to take the podiums and the big points. There are other times where you’ve got to settle for seventh or eighth. I played it like this in the MG last year and it’s worked so far this year.
“We want to be top three or thereabouts heading to the final weekend at Brands Hatch.”
We've got all the ingredients for another superb weekend of racing and with the weather in Scotland no doubt wanting to have its own say, we could have a championship that is turned right on its head.
