Big Happenings At Knockhill Next Week
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Big Happenings At Knockhill Next Week
[Image: knockhill-logo.gif]

2014 marks the 40th anniversary of Knockhill Racing Circuit, Scotland’s National Motor Sport Centre and to mark the occasion, there is a lot happening at the Fife track in recognition.

Next weekend (June 27/29), the circuit will host round four of the prestigious MCE Insurance British Superbike Championship and on Thursday 26th June, the Queen’s Baton Relay will visit Knockhill in the run-up to the Commonwealth Games.

Currently, Shane ‘Shakey’ Byrne leads the series but he is expecting stiff opposition from the likes of Josh Brookes, James Ellison, Tommy Bridewell, Ryuichi Kiyonari and Chris Walker. Scottish hopes lay with Hawick’s Stuart Easton who in back on a Superbike and looking to break his Knockhill duck.

It’s all part of a fantastic summer of sport in Scotland which will include the Dunlop MSA British Touring Car Championship visiting Knockhill on August 23/24 which will see local hero Gordon Shedden gunning for victory in front of a partisan crowd.

At the forthcoming MCE BSB meeting, there will be a special 40 years of Bikesport at Knockhill celebration in the Homecoming Scotland 2014 marquee, with special exhibits from each of the four decades at Knockhill including the late Jock Taylor’s World Championship winning outfit. There will be a special Tribute Room with many of Jock’s trophies and other memorabilia on display in the Champion’s Clubhouse too.

Events Director Stuart Gray said:

“We always strive to bring the best of motorsport to Knockhill and this year we are again hosting some of the best racing in the UK on two, three and four wheels. The highlights of the BSB and BTCC will be especially significant as the four decades of racing at Knockhill will be celebrated in style with the help and assistance from Homecoming Scotland.”

Jillian Shedden To Carry The Commonwealth Games Queen’s Baton Relay

Knockhill Racing Circuit – Thursday 26th June – 7.30am

After travelling across the world to almost every Commonwealth country on the planet, the Queen’s Baton is returning to Scotland and visiting Fife on Thursday 26th June.

Knockhill Racing Circuit has been chosen as the first stop for the Baton and uniquely will be carried on the back of a Superbike by Knockhill MD Jillian Shedden. The lap of honour will be a family affair as the bike will be ridden by her father, and circuit owner of 30 years Derek Butcher with Jillian as a pillion. The bike will be escorted by four bikes, one from each of the four decades that Knockhill existed as the Fife Circuit is celebrating its 40th anniversary this year.

The lap precedes the Homecoming Scotland 2014 MCE British Superbike event on the 27/29 June where upwards of 15,000 bike fans are expected to descend on Knockhill.

Jillian Shedden said:

“We are honoured at Knockhill to be chosen as the first Fife venue for the visit of the Queen’s Baton and I am delighted to be chosen too, as I follow in a long line of people around the world who have held the Baton. It is a special 40th anniversary year for Knockhill and this is a fitting event within a memorable year for us. We wish Glasgow and everyone competing at the Commonwealth Games the best of luck and thank the organisers for choosing Knockhill for the Baton to do such a historic lap of the track.”

The lap of Knockhill will happen between 7.30am before it leaves at 7.50am and The Provost of Fife, Jim Leishman will welcome the Baton and Minister for Commonwealth Games and Sport Shona Robison will be on hand to flag off Derek and Jillian on their historic lap of Knockhill.

McClung Lands Dream Ducati Ride At Knockhill BSB

Paul McClung, one of the rising stars of Scottish bike racing has earned a dream opportunity to race in the Ducati TriOptions Cup at the Knockhill round of the MCE British Superbike Championship, when the prestigious series comes to Scotland from 27-29 June.

The 18-year-old from Haddington has impressed in every class he has raced in since his debut season in 2009. McClung can also boast a number of Scottish titles to his name, having won Scottish Championships at F125, Mini Twin and Superstock 600 levels.

Niall Mackenzie, Knockhill Motor Sports Club President and Ducati TriOptions Ambassador, had no hesitation in nominating McClung for the ‘Guest’ Ducati ride, having seen first-hand some outstanding performances from the youngster during race events at Knockhill.

Niall said:

“Paul certainly has all the right traits to be a successful bike racer. Year on year he has improved his pace and fine tuned his race craft to a level which l felt warranted a ride on the Ducati at his home round. I know he’ll enjoy riding the 899 Panigale and he will also gain some valuable experience in a field of high quality riders.”

Alongside his Ducati Tri Options Cup ride, McClung has also entered the Pirelli National Superstock 600 race at Knockhill. A busy schedule will see him take to the track 11 times over the course of the weekend; with practice, qualifying and three races to compete in. McClung has previous British Championship racing experience at the Fife track, having raced in the Superstock 600 class back in 2013, qualifying 12th out of 50 riders and running as high as sixth place before mechanical issues forced him to retire.

Paul said:

“I’m really looking forward to the event, and more so now that l will also be riding in the Ducati TriOptions Cup. It’s a real honour for me to be nominated by Niall and hopefully l can repay that faith with some solid results at Knockhill.”

Mackenzie added:

“In my role as KMSC President, l’ve seen the progress Paul has made over the past five years. As a Club, the KMSC are always looking at ways to support up and coming young talent and l’m delighted that l was able to help Paul with this opportunity. Having a Scottish rider in the high profile Ducati TriOptions Cup will be a great addition to the Knockhill BSB weekend so I hope Paul has two successful races.”

Alongside the Ducati TriOptions Cup and Pirelli National Superstock 600 races, the bike racing event will also welcome five other racing championships to the Fife venue. Topping the bill however, will be the MCE British Superbike Championship, arguably the best domestic bike racing series in the World.


Tickets for the event can be booked online via the Knockhill website http://www.knockhill.com, or by calling 01383 723337. On the day tickets will also be available at the gate throughout the weekend (27/28/29 June).

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19-06-2014, 09:08 AM
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