Published: Friday, 1st August, 2008 09:55
Knockhill lands £20,000 British Touring Cars grant
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KNOCKHILL racing circuit has landed a £20,000 grant to help stage next month’s HiQ MSA British Touring Car Championship rounds.
The top motor racing championship will make its annual visit to Knockhill on 16th and 17th August and the cash, from EventScotland and Fife Council, will be used to increase the national promotion and media spend to encourage visitors to Scotland.
Knockhill’s managing director Jillian Shedden said, “The announcement of support from EventScotland and Fife Council is great news.
“The Touring Car event is our ‘Cup Final’ for all motor racing fans and we look forward to welcoming visitors to Scotland to enjoy the spectacle at one of the most picturesque racing circuits in the UK.”
Chief operating officer of EventScotland, Paul Bush, said, “We are absolutely delighted to be supporting the British Touring Car Championships at Knockhill for the first time.
“In recent years we have worked closely with Knockhill to build a strong portfolio of top-class motor sport events at the track, including the British Superbike Championships, Scottish MotorFair and the Classic SpeedFair.
“Scotland has a strong reputation around the world as a host for major events and the continuing success and growth of events at venues such as Knockhill helps to reinforce our message that Scotland is the perfect stage.”
Linda Temple, who manages Fife Council’s investment in major events, said, “These events undoubtedly contribute to our major events portfolio and we are delighted at how the programmes have developed over the past few years and which now draw a massive audience into Fife.”
Celebrating its 50th year this year the HiQ MSA British Touring Car Championship is regarded as the most competitive saloon car series in the world.
Italian driver Fabrizio Giovanardi currently leads the championship while West Fife driver and Knockhill business development manager Gordon Shedden is also in contention.
With more than eight different winners this year, 27 cars on the grid and three races with reverse grids, the racing on 17th August promises to be action packed and thrilling for West Fife fans.
The British Touring Cars weekend makes it a double-header spectacular for Scotland’s national motorsport centre, with the Bennetts British Superbikes set to take place on the preceding weekend (9th and 10th August).
With the Bennetts British Superbike Championships set to benefit from a third year of support from EventsScotland, organisers at Knockhill are hoping the support now in place for the British Touring Car Championship will see the event develop and achieve the same success that the Superbikes event has witnessed over the last few years.
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