Former British Superbike Champion, Niall MacKenzie, will drive the Autobytel
Lotus Championship Celebrity Car when the series makes its Scottish debut as
part of the British Touring Car (TOCA tour) race meeting at Knockhill Circuit in
July.
MacKenzie, 39yrs, was British Superbike Champion for Yamaha between 1996 and
1998. Last season, he competed for Ducati in the British Championship, finishing
fifth overall. Now in retirement, he currently combines official test rider
duties for Suzuki with his role as a commentator for Eurosport. "I can't
wait to come out of retirement and race in front of my home crowd at Knockhill,"
he commented.
The TOCA Tour race meeting on 21st/22nd July represents the first opportunity
for Scottish fans to see the Autobytel Lotus Championship in action. Last year,
the inaugural season for the Autobytel Lotus Championship, it was not possible
to include a race at Knockhill due to other Championship commitments abroad. As
Chris Arnold, General Manager for Lotus Motorsport, confirmed: "Unfortunately
we were forced to miss the Knockhill meeting last year, due commitments in
Europe, so I was determined to ensure our participation this season. The team
has already conducted some testing at the circuit - and, as a result, we believe
that Knockhill race fans will probably witness the most thrilling Lotus race of
the year! Niall's circuit knowledge will be of great benefit to him and we fully
expect to see him in the thick of the action all weekend."
