SMRC car racing returns to Knockhill this weekend (Sunday 1st May) for another action-packed racing timetable with seven different championships set to appear throughout a 16-race programme.
Action starts early-doors on Sunday with qualifying for all classes set to start around 8.30am. Racing action will commence at approximately 10.30am and continue throughout the day until 17.45pm.
Last time out Jordan Gronkowski and Neil MacLennan shared the winning spoils in the Scottish Formula Ford Championship – that will see this year’s winner enter a Road to Indy competition at the end of the season. MacLennan leads the standings with a slender 4 point advantage, and with Gronkowski buoyed by his first win in his new car last time out, expect these two to go head-to-head once again this weekend. Elsewhere, young Border Reivers racer Jamie Thorburn will be looking to close the gap and convert his two podiums from round one to race wins; elsewhere in class, Seb Melrose and Matthew Cowley will be looking to break into those top three positions.
In the Celtic Speed Mini Cooper Cup, Vic Covey was the man on form at the opening round. Whether he’ll make a late entry to this event remains to be seen. However, there are a few new names on the standings for 2016. Ian Munro currently tops the leaderboard ahead of Paul Bell and William Blake. Newcomer Dylan O’Donnell sits a lofty 5th place following his debut podium last time out. Hannah Chapman and the Reid brothers (Chris & Kyle) should feature prominently this weekend as well. The Mini Cooper action is always fraught and frantic; expect fireworks this weekend within all three races.
The Scottish Legends has a somewhat familiar feel at the top of the standings, with John Paterson (defending Champion) currently sitting at the top. David Hunter follows in second and will be quietly confident heading into this meeting having already tasted that winning feeling this year. Other names pushing for podiums this weekend will include Ivor Greenwood, Billy Wait and Stewart Black.
We saw some fantastic action in the Scottish Saloons and Sports Car Championship at the opening round of the season, and the two of the main protagonists in those encounters are back this weekend for a bit more. Ian Donaldson returns behind the wheel of his Mitsubishi Evo 9 and Colin Simpson appears in his stunning Marci Mantis. Elsewhere, Andrew Morrison returns to the fray, whilst William Robson will be looking to maintain his overall Championship lead courtesy of two B1 class wins at the opening round. Finlay Crocker and Roddie Paterson return to the fold as well and they’ll be keen to get some Championship points on the board behind the wheel for their Honda Civic TCR and Caterham respectively.
In the Fiesta ST and XR2 Championships, we’ll likely see two of the biggest rivalries recommence this weekend. Wayne Macaulay mastered the conditions in the ST class last time to out-fox old foe Kevin Whyte, whilst Peter Cruickshank had probably his best ST race weekend to date in April and will be looking to continue that momentum this time around. In the XR2 class, both Jim Deans and Steven Gray sit joint top of the standings on 45 points – one race win, one fastest lap and one second placed finish apiece. We’ll be flabbergasted if either driver steals a march on the other this weekend.
The Scottish BMW Compact Cup will have the second largest grid this weekend (after the Minis) and will likely see a fierce battle at the front of the field, with up to five drivers all pushing for those race wins and podiums. David McNaughton stole a march on his fellow Championship hopefuls last time out to sit abreast of the Championship standings on 77-points; closely followed by Cliff Harper (70) and Garry Clark (69). And, win a win in this Championship securing you 37 points (40 with fastest lap), anyone from 18th on the standings is only one win away from the top of the table.
In the Classic Sports and Saloons Championship, Harry Simpson was on fine form at the opening round taking both race wins. However, with the class structure and number of entrants in each class, those wins for Simpson only translate to a 6th place on the standings. Top spot goes to Raymond Boyd, Simpson’s closest contender at the first event and that will likely be repeated this weekend. Tommy Gilmartin, Stand Bernard and Jimmy Crow should also feature on the day.
Tickets for the next rounds of Scottish Championship car racing can be bought online via the Knockhill website (subject to pre-booking discounts). Alternatively, tickets will be available at the gate on Sunday 1st May. An SMRC raceday is 8hrs worth of racing action, with plenty to see on and off track it represents great value for money.
Ticket Pricing:
Adult £12 (OTD £15), Conc. £7 (OTD £9), Family £31 (OTD £39) and kids under 12 go free.
Hope to see you here!
