Preview: Knockhill - 15th May 2011 Time Attack - Round 2Pirelli European Drift Championship - Round 2 Modified Live
It's the weekend when the Time Attack Series, Pirelli European Drift Championship and the Modified Live tuning show make their annual trip north, the second event in this year's calendar taking place at Knockhill. Always a favourite with drivers and a popular pilgrimage for spectators, this year's Scottish event promises to be as spectacular as ever, with the usual mix of speed, tyre-smoke, tuning, entertainment and some of the UK's most extraordinary metal.
The 1.3-mile circuit, just north of Dunfermline, is regarded as one of the best 'driver's' tracks in the UK, mainly due to the way it rises and falls through 200 feet in accordance with the contours of the hillside on which it is built. Even the most accomplished of drivers admit that to get the perfect lap requires 100% concentration from start to finish.
Time Attack
The first round at Oulton Park in the middle of April took place at the time of the hot, dry-spell that embraced the UK, the fine weather bringing out 1000s of spectators and seeing a host of new names on the entry list. The event also welcomed the introduction of Pirelli P-Zero tyres as part of this year's regulations, with all Time Attack competitors now successfully using these high-spec street-legal tyres, whatever the horsepower of their car.
If round one is anything to go by, then the Pro-Class is likely to see a re-match for supremacy between first-placed Duncan Graham in his BC Racing Subaru Impreza and second-placed Michael Mahoney in his Mitsubishi Evo VIII. However, the man to watch is likely to be Gavin Renshaw, who was the quickest at Oulton Park until his NR Autosport Mitsubishi's steering took a turn for the worse.
Another in the mix for a top overall position will be Paul Doyle, who held the fastest lap in his K-Sport Subaru Impreza right up until the closing stages of round one. Whilst in the Club-pro Class, David Jackson in his Escort Cosworth, Walter Morris in his Midlands Performance Skylines R32 and Fiona Kindness' similar car are all destined to continue where they left off this weekend.
It's likely to be a similar picture in the Club Classes too: Heading the 4WD points table after Oulton Park is Andrew Barbour in his Mitsubishi Evo VI, with the FWD category currently led by Bo Nielsen in his Forge Motorsport Vauxhall Astra VXR, whilst Jimmy White dominated the RWD Class in his Vauxhall VX220.
Pirelli European Drift Championship
The UK's top-level Drift drivers will be back in action to see who's best this weekend, as they shoot it out in the heats, semis and finals. Last time at Oulton Park it was Paul Conlan in the BC Racing Nissan S15 that took the honours, beating Brett Castle in the similar Sumo Power NISMO Competition.com car in the final.
However, the likes of Declan Hicks in his HEL Performance Toyota Cresta and Tim Marshall in his SVA Imports Nissan 350Z will be looking to get their own back this time round, whilst Steve Will hopes he will have better luck and be able to make his competitive debut this time with his SuperPro sponsored BMW M3 turbo.
Modified Live
The UK's leading celebration of modifying and tuning culture will also appear at Knockhill and, once again, feature individual exhibits, club displays, trade stands and a host of attractions, including the fiercely fought Show 'n' Shine competition sponsored by Kleers. There's also a chance for visitors to take a not-to-be-missed ride in 'Drift Taxi', plus lots of other distractions - including the girls!
The event
The gates open at 09.00, with the track action commencing with warm-up and practice sessions for the Time Attack and Drift Championship competitors in the morning, before the competitive elements of the day kick off at 13.45. The Pirelli European Drift Championship Finals begin at 15.10, with the Time Attack Finals starting at 15.50. There are also live action demonstrations taking place on the track at 10.20, 12.25 and 16.30.
Admission tickets are available from the event website at an advance price of £13.00 per adult, or alternatively, they can be purchased at the gate for £15.00. Kids under 12 go free, whilst family tickets (two adults and two children) are available for £32.00 on-line or £38.00 on the day.
This year's sponsors are: Pirelli, Sumo Power, NISMO Competition.com Kleers, Cosworth, K-Sport, SuperPro, BC Suspension, HKS, Samco Sport, Blitz and Santa Pod Raceway.
2011 Time Attack CalendarRound 1: 16 April Oulton ParkRound 2: 15 May KnockhillRound 3: 25 June Brands HatchRound 4: 26 June Brands HatchRound 5: 31 July: Cadwell ParkRound 6: 28 August AngleseyRound 7: 25 September Snetterton
