jimmcgill – Knockhill Racing Circuit

Scots aiming for more BTCC success as premium tintop series returns to Knockhill

jimmcgill — Fri, 29 Jul 2022 16:23:40 +0000

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.
While three-time BTCC champ Gordon Shedden 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.
CLICK HERE to read full preview

Scots trio fired-up for Knockhill BTCC as bumper crowds return for 2021

jimmcgill — Thu, 12 Aug 2021 15:07:56 +0000

THE RETURN OF THE Kwik Fit British Touring Car Championship this weekend to Knockhill in Fife, for its annual pilgrimage to Scotland, is always a red letter day for motorsport fans, writes Jim McGill. But this year it’s all the more special with a bumper crowd of around 20,000 Saltire-waving fans is expected on race day as, finally, Covid restrictions have been lifted and Scotland eases — albeit slowly — back closer to a degree of normality. (Buy Knockhill BTCC 2021 Tickets HERE)
And while defending champ Ash Sutton heads to Knockhill with a slender five point lead in the title race over Tom Ingram, a trio of Scots — triple champ Gordon Shedden, plus race winners Rory Butcher and Aiden Moffat — are all within touching distance of the championship lead.
CLICK HERE to read full preview:

Scot Rory Butcher reveals new livery for his Toyota Corolla BTCC racer

jimmcgill — Mon, 22 Mar 2021 12:53:12 +0000

THE WRAPS HAVE officially come off Scot Rory Butcher’s Toyota Gazoo Racing UK 2021 Kwik Fit British Touring Car Championship contender, writes Jim McGill. Not surprisingly, it sports a livery reminiscent of the brand’s ultra-successful, multiple World Championship-winning FIA WEC and WRC models.
“I think the new livery is amazing!,” Butcher said today. “It’s typically Toyota, and it looks so cool with the red and black lines against a white background. It’s unmistakably a member of the Toyota Gazoo Racing family. It will definitely stand out on the BTCC grid, and I’m so excited to be carrying such iconic colours this year.”
CLICK HERE to read full story

Scot Paul di Resta confirms return to defend Le Mans LMP2 win with United Autosports

jimmcgill — Mon, 08 Mar 2021 16:41:26 +0000

BATHGATE’S PAUL DI RESTA will return to the Le Mans 24-Hours in August to defend the LMP2 title he won last year, writes Jim McGill. The 34-year-old Scot will again pilot a United Autosports Oreca at the iconic French endurance race.
Di Resta, who will lead Peugeot’s return to the World Endurance Championship in an all-new hypercar in 2022, will drive the United Autosports No23 car in a one-off appearance for the team this year, alongside two yet-to-be-named team-mates.
CLICK HERE to read full report

Former champ Gordon Shedden returns to BTCC with Team Dynamics in a Honda

jimmcgill — Fri, 05 Mar 2021 16:23:52 +0000

SCOT GORDON SHEDDEN has confirmed he will return to the British Touring Car Championship this season, writes Jim McGill. ‘Flash’, the three-times BTCC champ, will be reunited with Team Dynamics in a Honda Civic Type R.
The 42-year-old from Auchterarder won his titles — in 2012, 2015 and 2016 — driving a Dynamics-designed, built and run Civic FK2. All 48 of Shedden’s BTCC race wins have also come in Dynamics Hondas.
CLICK HERE to read full story

Fifer Rory Butcher to lead Toyota BTCC assault

jimmcgill — Wed, 27 Jan 2021 08:16:36 +0000

FIFER RORY BUTCHER will spearhead Toyota Gazoo Racing UK’s assault on British Touring Car Championship glory in 2021, writes Jim McGill. The former Independents’ Champion will partner England’s Sam Smelt in the team’s two Toyota Corollas, prepared by Speedworks Motorsport.
“I’m super excited about this new challenge,” admitted Butcher, the 33-year-old from Kirkcaldy, who has already racked up six race wins, 14 podium finishes, three pole positions and five fastest laps in his BTCC career to date.”
CLICK HERE to read full report

British GT champ, Scot Sandy Mitchell, wins coveted Allan Simonsen Award

jimmcgill — Tue, 12 Jan 2021 10:03:11 +0000

SCOTS ENDURANCE RACER and British GT champion, Sandy Mitchell, has started 2021 by winning the coveted Allan Simonsen Award, writes Jim McGill. It is the British GT’s highest non-championship accolade.
Traditionally the award is won by a driver with the same speed and spirit as epitomised by the late Dane who tragically lost his life at the Le Mans 24-Hours in 2013.
CLICK HERE to read full report

Scot Sandy Mitchell to defend British GT title as Lamborghini factory driver

jimmcgill — Mon, 21 Dec 2020 11:57:56 +0000

BRITISH GT CHAMPION, Scot Sandy Mitchell, will return to defend his title next season with Lamborghini, writes Jim McGill. And the 20-year-old from Forfar will do so having been promoted to a full factory driver role with the Italian supercar company.
Mitchell, personally backed by Huntly-based Black Bull Scotch Whisky, will again drive a Lamborghini Huracan Evo GT3 prepared by Barwell Motorsport. The Scot will partner Adam Balon in the ultra-competitive Pro-Am class.
CLICK HERE to read full report

Scot Sandy Mitchell, 2020 British GT champ, named Lamborghini Factory Driver

jimmcgill — Fri, 18 Dec 2020 12:10:19 +0000

SCOTS ENDURANCE RACER SANDY MITCHELL has joined Lamborghini’s elite group after being unveiled as a Factory Driver for the Italian carmaker’s motorsport division for 2021, writes Jim McGill. The promotion to a professional racing driver comes just weeks after the 20-year-old from Forfar powered Lamborghini to its first British GT Championship.
CLICK HERE to read full report

Colin McRae: A Day in History

jimmcgill — Sun, 22 Nov 2020 12:00:25 +0000

THERE ARE MOMENTS in sporting history which become iconic. Today marks one: Colin McRae’s imperious drive to the World Rally Championship in 1995, writes Jim McGill. Unbelievably, it’s 25 years since McRae, and his never-to-be forgotten blue and yellow, L555 BAT, Subaru Impreza rocketed through the muddy Welsh forest stages with the lightness and poise of a ballet dancer.
The 27-year-old from Lanark, who remains the youngest driver ever to win the WRC, sealed his first, and only, world title when he beat Subaru team-mate Carlos Sainz in the season finale in Britain.
CLICK HERE to read the full report