MSV have confirmed reports that the June round of the British Superbike Championship at Knockhill will now run in the opposite direction for the first time.The Scottish circuit is celebrating its 40th anniversary this year and has spent over £100,000 renovating safety facilities in order for the change in racing direction to take place.
MCE BSB Series Director Stuart Higgs explained: “Since the circuit restarted events in the counter clockwise direction we’ve been curious to learn how they’ve been received and in talking with Niall Mackenzie, Stuart Easton and Dennis Hobbs, amongst others, who have had firsthand experience they were very enthusiastic and positive as to how it was to ride, in fact there are a number of factors which have shown this configuration to be better for competitors and spectators and viewers, with some of the well-known features of the circuit much enhanced.”
“For BSB to make the transition the circuit needed to have a number of inspections by the respective regulatory bodies, MCRCB for British Championship level motorcycle racing and the MSA for car racing. MCRCB made two detailed inspections. I participated representing MSVR as the promoter and organiser and invited multiple British Champions Niall Mackenzie and Stuart Easton for their invaluable input. We made a number of determinations specifically taking into account the higher performance level of BSB and some of the characteristics and procedures of BSB events. The co-operation and commitment of the circuit management was excellent and the scope of works is now underway.”
Knockhill Chief Executive Derek Butcher also explained: “We invested in giving Scotland, and Britain, another circuit over the winter of 2011/12 and since then, the “new” circuit has provided such a different challenge, and for many, they prefer competing on it! Once a rider has done 40 – 50 laps to get into a rhythm, we are convinced that all the BSB riders and those in the support classes, and not least the thousands of spectators, will love the new challenges of this new layout. It will be fascinating to hear the feedback from the riders in May after they have had a few sessions to get familiar with Britain’s newest track”.