Knockhill are honoured to be hosting the second David Leslie Trophy Race of 2022, this time for Super Tourers and ex-BTCC cars. In what will be an action-packed race day which will see all the regular SMRC championship classes compete on track, the event will also boast some iconic Super Touring race action with the winner of the opening race claiming the David Leslie Trophy for 2022. As well as a grid walk immediately before the Super Touring race, which will allow all those attending on the day to get up-close and personal with some of the most famous BTCC race cars of all time. The day will also include some super-fast Ford action from the Modified Ford Series – with both series bringing quality and variety rarely seen in Scotland to Knockhill on Sunday 8th May.
David Leslie was one of the UK’s most successful all-round drivers, having had success in every class of car he ever competed in – from Formula Fords to winning the World C2 Endurance Championship with Ecurie Ecosse. The second running of the David Leslie Trophy takes place after the first – given out in April at the opening SMRC event of the season for the winning Formula Ford driver – in reference to David’s role developing some of the country’s top single-seater drivers.
Leslie is best known for his time in the BTCC, occupying factory driver roles with numerous BTCC race teams and was particularly renowned for his development skills, helping to take both Honda and Nissan marques to BTCC race wins. David was active throughout the Super Touring years with the iconic Vodafone liveried Nissan Primera taking David to runner up spot in the BTCC standings in 1999. Leslie was sadly taken from us in 2008 and Knockhill has proudly presented the David Leslie Trophy – often in the presence of members of the Leslie family – ever since. So, it will be great to see some of the iconic cars from the 90s and 00s on track during the SMRC raceday on Sunday 8th May with another Scotsman keen to make an impression.
Racing legend and double BTCC Champion, John Cleland will be here that weekend behind the wheel of his own iconic Vauxhall Vectra looking to claim another win around the twists and dips of Knockhill. John will go head-to-head with a small, but quality grid of competitors which will include the Ford Mondeo, Nissan Primera, Ford Focus and others – a full entry list will be online soon. We are also hoping to be joined by German Touring Car driver Steffan Irmler in his Opel Astra.
The Modified Ford Series is a new addition to Knockhill this year with the series making its first visit to Knockhill. Fans will see some superbly presented highly-powered Fords – from various eras including the 70s, 80s and 90s – racing wheel-to-wheel. A five class structure provides plenty of opportunity and scope for Ford enthusiasts to race cars that have been developed over the last 50 years – the sight and sound of these brutes around Knockhill will be a sight to warm any motorsport fans heart.
The day’s racing schedule will begin at approximately 8:30am with qualifying sessions for each class. Our first race of the day will start at 10:40am with the Scottish Mini Cooper Cup taking centre stage. We’ll then run through each of the competing series up to lunch. Then it’s time to enjoy a bite to eat before we open the grid ahead of Race One for the Super Touring cars – mingle on the track with the drivers, teams and mechanics as we prepare for the David Leslie Trophy race – an excellent addition to what will be a memorable race. The action will continue with Scottish Classics, Scottish C1 Cup, Scottish Fiesta ST Cup and of course the impressive Modified Ford Series will also be on track for two races. Missing out at this event are the Scottish Formula Ford Championship who’ll be on an away round to Croft circuit.
All being well, we’re set for a tremendous day of racing at Knockhill on Sunday 8th May. Come and witness the action first-hand by booking your ticket online via the Knockhill events website. Admission is £20 for adults, Concessions £15, 13 – 16 years £10 and under 12s, grid walk and parking free .