BTCC 2014: Knockhill
Iain Cameron was our PHer on the ground (and in the sunshine!) at Knockhill
Donington Park - Andy Swift
Thruxton - Jon Spriggs
Oulton Park - Alan Taylor
Croft - Mark Benson
Snetterton - Alexey Underwood
Knockhill is a track of extremes - steep undulating turns, launch-pad chicanes, short run-off areas and, for the spectators and drivers alike, challenging weather conditions. Even shelving the journalistic hyperbole, it's remains entirely reasonable to say that nowhere in the world encapsulates "four seasons in one day" quite like Knockhill. Yet whilst it takes a die-hard fan to brave the elements on this wind-beaten Fife hilltop, the reward is often close and exciting racing.
This weekend in the BTCC was no different. The Scots crowd had four home drivers to cheer on - Shedden, Newsham, Geddie and Moffat - helping to turn the atmosphere up to 11 at the crucible-like Fife racetrack.
Sunday's opener saw Tordoff start from pole after a penalty dropped Turkington down the grid - the championship leader proving the rear-drive BMW's pace at this circuit by scoring the quickest time in qualifying. Rob Austin started second in "Sherman", his Audi A4 - following a strong performance last year at Knockhill - ahead of the Hondas of Jordan, local hero Shedden and Neal.
The 31 entrants swamped the 1.3-mile circuit, with the starting grid stretching back to the final hairpin - surely a candidate for the largest ever grid at Knockhill. As expected of modern BTCC racing there were plenty of bumps and scrapes - a collective groan from the crowd accompanied Shedden's spin at the bottom of Duffus Dip, repeated a few laps later when Turkington was nudged into the gravel after a thrilling battle. Mid-way through the race, the famous Knockhill kerbs launched Welch's Proton skyward into the side of Holland's Rotek Racing Audi S3, spelling the end of the race for them both.
All this action conspired to allow Matt Neal through for a deserving but unexpected win - his first of the 2014 season in the Civic Tourer. Incredibly, the action also promoted teammate Shedden to third - a fantastic comeback from his earlier spin. Austin in the Audi separated the two Honda drivers.
I took a spot at the end of the braking zone into the hairpin for Race Two of the weekend - a perfect place to see the drivers out-brake each other before powering up the hill over the start-finish line. Matt Neal started on pole, but was handed a penalty by officials for jumping the start. This left the race to second-place Mat Jackson in the Airwaves Focus. Jackson dominated the race, finishing ahead of Plato in the MG and Austin in the Audi - again, a strong showing from Austin, making the most of the rear-drive A4.
The race had seen Turkington start from the rear of the grid - a case of throwing salt in the wounds after being punted off track in the first race. However, he staged an incredible comeback to finish fourth, setting fastest lap in the BMW and reeling in Austin. Had the race run longer, he'd have likely taken a podium place.
With its reverse grid, race three gave the eBay Motors BMW team even more cause to smile - Foster started on pole and all three cars were inside the top ten. Collard made light work of the traffic before romping off into the Scottish sunset to take an imperious win. Newsham took second in the final standings, giving both the home crowd and his team something to celebrate - it was AmD's first ever podium finish.
For the first time in a BTCC weekend, all three victories were scored on Dunlop's soft tyre. Tyres seem to fuel paddock chatter in all modern motorsport, and in an effort to understand tyre strategy I spoke with Mickey Butler, Dunlop Motorsport Sales and Product Manager. Mickey and his team - fresh from fitting over 600 tyres in preparation between Thursday and Friday - elected to bring the soft and medium compounds to Knockhill: "We're still learning about the new tyre construction for this season, which is intended to give the drivers more feel and response. Knockhill is a kind circuit to the tyres and suits the softs well, meaning the drivers have more confidence to use the softer compound. The new construction has been a great success, with good feedback from the drivers and new lap records at each round so far this season." Dunlop aims to filter the tyre technology down to the road with their Sport Maxx range of performance rubber.
"Four seasons in one day" may be the norm at Knockhill - but in a rare occurrence, the huge crowd enjoyed glorious sunshine all day. The extraordinary weather was accompanied by extraordinary racing - the BTCC continues to serve up some of the best action in motorsport, and is ideally suited to this frenetic little Scottish circuit. Let's hope for more of the same at Rockingham!
[Pics: LAT]
Had to move twice, first time due to a bunch of people non-stop dope smoking and then a bunch of drunks effing and jeffing. Not really what I was expecting or ever seen at any other circuit and not what I want my kids to be exposed to.
The crowd only ever cheered for Sheddon...totally mute for any other driver.
Bit of a shame really as the track and the racing was brilliant.
But this had to be the most entertaining meet this season.
Did everyone see those two in the Ginettas after the flag? Hilarious! 'Track Rage'!
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