BTCC FEELS THE FORTH IN SCOTLAND
Scotland today (Thursday) spectacularly welcomed the Dunlop
MSA British Touring Car Championship when leading cars and
drivers from Britain ’s biggest motor racing series
crossed the Forth Road Bridge en route to their next race
meeting at the Knockhill circuit in Fife .
 The
symbolic crossing signalled the start of Scotland ’s
biggest four-wheeled motor sport event of the year –
Knockhill’s BTCC meeting this coming Sunday 28 August.
James Pickford, in SEAT’s Toledo Cupra, and Colin Turkington
, in Vauxhall’s Astra Sport Hatch, became the first
BTCC drivers in history to cross the world famous bridge over
the Forth Estuary at the wheel of their BTCC cars. They were
followed soon after by Team Halfords Honda Integra driver
Dan Eaves and Tom Chilton, in the Synchro Motorsports team’s
Honda Civic.
Before the crossing, Pickford also stopped off to pay the
bridge’s £1 toll charge.
Pickford, 26 from Macclesfield, said: “I drive on the
best circuits in Britain in the BTCC, but this was something
very different. It was a great honour and terrific fun.
“The sight of Britain ’s most exciting racing
cars crossing such a world famous landmark is sure to get
the people of Scotland coming to Knockhill this weekend. It’s
going to be fantastic action.”
Turkington, 23 from Portadown and twice a race-winner this
season, added: “I’ve driven over the bridge from
Edinburgh to Stirling quite a few times when I was studying
there. I never thought I’d ever drive across it in a
BTCC car. The view was pretty unique and I admit I was tempted
to put my foot down and see how fast I could go, although
I did my very best to stick to the 50mph speed limit!”
Eaves and Chilton, meanwhile, will be hoping at Knockhill
they can add to the seven wins that they have recorded between
them so far this season. Eaves, from Moreton-in-Marsh, currently
lies third in the standings behind team-mate Matt Neal and
Vauxhall’s Yvan Muller.
Chasing him hard in fourth is SEAT’s Jason Plato, but
Eaves has already vowed: “I’m confident of winning
at Knockhill – it’s a circuit where I always go
well. The title is still within my reach so I’m after
at least two wins.”
Chilton has been tipped for victory at Knockhill by no less
than Scotland ’s former BTCC champion John Cleland who
commented: “I can see Chilton sneaking in there and
doing the business.”
The BTCC stars will be in race action three times at Knockhill
on Sunday, while there will be a further eight races put on
by supporting championships from prestige manufacturers BMW,
Porsche, Renault and SEAT.
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