DOUBLE CHAMP CLELAND'S WARNING TO SCOTTISH HOME HERO SHEDDEN
John Cleland has warned fellow Scot Gordon Shedden not to get carried away by the emotion of racing at Knockhill on Sunday 3 September if he wants to deliver results in front of his home Dunlop MSA British Touring Car Championship crowds.
In his debut BTCC season, 27-year-old Shedden has been a revelation – he currently lies fifth in the standings having driven to victory four times in his Team Halfords Honda Integra.
The Dunfermline driver has also been an instructor at Knockhill and on BTCC race day will be cheered on by guests of personal sponsor Clydesdale Bank that has become the race-day sponsor of the event.
But former double BTCC champion Cleland says there is no guarantee of success on home ground and it is important that Shedden does not let the pressure get to him. Indeed, Cleland’s own illustrious 12-year BTCC career netted him only one win at Knockhill.
Cleland told BTCC.net: "Gordon’s done a very good job this year. I think he’s got the best car by a long way, but I’ve seen other drivers in the past be given the best car and not deliver. It’s still down to you.
"However, the fact is that this is going to be his home event and there will be all the Knockhill people, his family and the sponsors and that means there will be an immense amount of pressure.
"If he can race forgetting the pressure I think he’ll be fine. But he mustn’t get carried away with the fact he’s at Knockhill and maybe, because he’s on the front row of the grid, all of a sudden have the mad notion he’s got to drive like a nutter because he’s in front of his home crowd."
From what Cleland has seen so far, though, he believes Shedden could be on course to give the Knockhill spectators a home victory to celebrate.
Cleland added: "He’s made a few silly mistakes, but he’s still learning and is clearly a talented little driver and with the Honda he’s got a car capable of allowing him to show what he can do.
"I think he’ll do well at Knockhill and he’ll be disappointed if he doesn’t win at least one of the races. He also knows Knockhill inside out – OK, at this level the top drivers learn the track within five or ten laps, but he’ll know exactly where it’s slippery and what lines to take if it rains and there’s always a high chance of that at Knockhill.
"The other thing at Knockhill is you can hear the crowds cheering from inside the car and when you see them willing you on at the side of the track it always finds you that extra tenth of a second. Who knows, maybe he can win all three races. Imagine if he did that – Clydesdale would think he’s a real hero and sponsor him for the next ten years!"
Admission to Knockhill's BTCC race day on 3 September is FREE for children aged eight and under, while there are considerable price reductions for adults and those aged nine to 16 when booked in advance on-line at www.knockhill.com or via the ticket hot line 01383 723337. During the day, the crowds will be invited to meet the BTCC drivers during a lunchtime autograph session.
In addition to the BTCC's three rounds, there will be another eight races put on by a variety of supporting championships from BMW, Porsche, SEAT, Formula Ford and Caterham.
