Knockhill Circuit in Scotland welcomes the Dunlop MSA British Touring Car Championship next weekend, 23rd/24th August, for the category’s annual visit north of the border where Simon Belcher and the Handy Motorsport team are confident of making significant strides.Looking forward to his first visit to the challenging Fife track as a fully-fledged BTCC driver, the double Renault UK Clio Cup Masters Cup Champion will embark on the 400-mile journey from his home in Swindon next week in positive mood.Following the previous three rounds at Snetterton 300 Circuit a fortnight ago, the 40-year-old was one of almost 20 BTCC competitors to return to the Norfolk track a couple of days later for a Dunlop tyre test which provided a key opportunity to try a variety of set-up changes.Not only did the improvements made to his KÄRCHER-supported Toyota Avensis deliver a marked reduction in lap time over what had been achieved during the Snetterton race weekend, Belcher reported much improved feel and handling from his 2.0-litre car."The [Snetterton] tyre test went really well, we made some big changes to the car and although the track was slightly off from what it was over the race weekend we think our net improvement was probably around 1.7 seconds – which is huge”, said the Wiltshire driver, “It was a great day, we were able to complete some very important work and make some big steps forward."We're confident the changes we made to the car, and the improvements they gave to the overall performance and feel, should work everywhere so we're feeling buoyant and very encouraged for Knockhill. It’s given us all a major boost and it does look like we might be turning a corner…”Going into the seventh event of his maiden BTCC campaign, Belcher is determined to get back in the battle for Independents Trophy points having previously scored at Donington Park and Croft. In the Independents Team Trophy, meanwhile, Handy Motorsport has scored in 16 of the 18 races which have been contested so far and the team is currently 15th overall in the class championship.Although it’s been several years since Belcher last raced at Knockhill in Legends Cars, with the Renault UK Clio Cup not having visited Scotland during the two seasons he raced in the BTCC feeder series, he is sure it won’t take long to re-acclimatise himself with the 1.3-mile track.“Knockhill is definitely a unique challenge, it’s a long trip up there but always worth it as it’s a great track and the Scottish fans are always super supportive”, he commented, “I can’t wait to visit there as a BTCC driver for the first time, hopefully it could be our strongest weekend yet.”Following two free practice sessions on Saturday, 23rd August, Knockhill qualifying will take place at 15.05. Rounds 19, 20 and 21 will be contested on Sunday, 24th August, at 11.45, around 14.15 and just after 17.05 – all three encounters will be screened live, as always, on ITV4 and ITV4 HD.Provisional 2014 Dunlop MSA BTCC ‘Independents Trophy’ standings (after Rd18):24th Simon Belcher, 3ptsProvisional 2014 Dunlop MSA BTCC ‘Independents Team Trophy’ standings (after Rd18):15th Handy Motorsport, 41pts