This weekend we return to Knockhill in Scotland for Round 2 of the 2014 Time Attack Championship.
A favourite track amongst the drivers due to exciting twists and changes of altitude, Knockhill is back on the calendar after a one year absence.
As Scotland’s only MSA approved and and FIA Internationally graded Circuit, the 1.3-mile (2km) long circuit features a series of drops and climbs. Duffus Dip is a particular favourite with spectators and drivers alike; a tight right-left corkscrew twist down a steep hill, right at the end of the main straight. While the blind crest of Chicane is a true test of precision and bravery, forcing drivers to point their car at the sky on the climb onto the Brabhams back straight.
Club Challenge 4WD
Knockhill Lap Record
54.073 – Subaru Impreza GC8 – Kev Horsley – 2008
Dave Coe will be hoping to make it two wins out of two at Knockhill. At Silverstone, he left his best until the final amongst a competitive field, where anyone could set the fastest lap.
Matthew Webster will be trying to maintain his strong start to the season, while Mitsubishi Evo driver Matt Lawson joins the line-up.
Driver Name Car No. Class Car
| Damien Bradley | 22 | Club 4WD | Subaru Legacy |
| Jason Bird | 400 | Club 4WD | Mitsubishi Evo 5 |
| Eric Holmes | 79 | Club 4WD | Mitsubishi Evo |
| Mathew Webster | 83 | Club 4WD | Subaru Impreza |
| Mark Flook | 800 | Club 4WD | Mitsubishi GTO |
| Andy Grady | 43 | Club 4WD | Subaru Impreza |
| Dave Coe | 80 | Club 4WD | Subaru Impreza |
| Matt Lawson | 11 | Club 4WD | Mitsubishi Evo |
Club Challenge FWD
Knockhill Lap Record
54.474 – Fiat Coupe – Marco Haig – 2010
The biggest and arguably closest class in Time Attack. Round 1 winner Jonny Fletcher has made only minor changes for Knockhill, including a new oil catch can.
While 2013 Champion Marc Donnelly hasn’t made any changes to his Focus RS-powered Mk3 Escort since Silverstone, but he has modified his finger with a wedding ring (Congratulations Karin!) It will be interesting to see how the newcomers cope with the fearsome Duffus Dip, including Astra VXR driver Matt Straker who grabbed third spot at Rd.1.
Driver Name Car No. Class Car
| Jeff Alden | 19 | Club FWD | Vauxhall Astra |
| Neil Wrenn | 29 | Club FWD | Honda Civic |
| Antonio Giovinazzo | 27 | Club FWD | Alfa Romeo 155 |
| Jonny Fletcher | 64 | Club FWD | Vauxhall Astra |
| Marc Donnelly | 76 | Club FWD | Ford Escort |
| Adrian Daniel | 31 | Club FWD | Vauxhall Astra Coupe |
| Matthew Straker | 30 | Club FWD | Vauxhall Astra |
| Daniel Clark | 92 | Club FWD | Vauxhall Astra |
| Stewart Summers | 97 | Club FWD | Citroen Saxo |
| Darren Spooner | 13 | Club FWD | Peugeot 205 |
| Will Watson | 35 | Club FWD | Vauxhall Astra |
| Adam Jones | 25 | Club FWD | Honda Civic Type-R |
Club Challenge RWD
Knockhill Lap Record
55.997 – Toyota Supra – Steve Linton – 2010
Noble driver Kevin Jones blasted his way to the top at Rd.1 but he might not have things his own way at Knockhill. Umar Masood has reacted to the challenge with a new engine, new sponsors and renewed focus in his FD3S Mazda RX-7.
Look out for One-Hit Wonder Andrew Baird in his aero-equipped Lotus Elise too.
Driver Name Car No. Class Car
| Kevin Jones | 58 | Club RWD | Noble M12 GTO3 |
| Andrew Baird | 12 | Club RWD – OHW | Lotus Elise |
| Umar Masood | 48 | Club RWD | Maxda RX7 |
| Neil Clark | 55 | Club RWD | Maxda RX7 |
| Lorence Charter | 44 | Club RWD | Maxda RX7 |
Club NA
Knockhill Lap Record
57.548 (under 3,000cc) – MG Metro 6R4 – Mark Pollard – 2010
56.322 (over 3,000cc) – Mazda RX-7 V8 – Craig Winstanley – 2008
It will be interesting to see how close the Civics can get to the record set by Mark Pollard and his Metro 6R4 in 2010. Will it be the lightweight B-Series EG Civic or the more powerful K20-engined FD2 of James Procter that comes out on top?
Driver Name Car No. Class Car
| James Procter | 69 | Club N/A | Honda Civic Type R |
| Mark Burnett | 28 | Club N/A | Honda Civic EG6 |
Club PRO
Knockhill Lap Record
53.401 – Mitsubishi Evo 8 – Robin Duxbury – 2009
Fresh from his class-winning debut, Phil Reed’s Evo will be in the exact same spec as it was at Rd.1.
By comparison, Geordie Andy Grady’s Subaru Impreza has undergone a massive transformation including a rotated GTX35 Turbo and 6-speed dog ‘box. Let’s hope Jason Ogg has managed to fit his Samsonas gearbox in time for the party too.
Driver Name Car No. Class Car
| Philip Reed | 66 | Club Pro | Mitsubishi Evo 6 |
| Jason Ogg | 10 | Club Pro | Subaru Impreza |
| Brad Sheehan | 62 | Club Pro | Mitsubishi Evo 9 GT |
| Andrew Barbour | 88 | Club Pro | Mitsubishi Evo 5 |
| Russ Paton | 14 | Club Pro | Mitsubishi Evo 6 |
| Ronnie Amis | 71 | Club Pro | VW Golf |
PRO
Knockhill Lap Record
51.355 – Mitsubishi Evo 5 – Gareth Lloyd – 2010
Rd.1 victor Richard Marshall is choosing Knockhill as his dropped score. It’s a risk, as a mechnical failure at any following round could spell disaster for his Championship hopes. Metro 6R4 driver Mark Pollard will be hoping to take advantage, as will the ginger stig aka Simon Deaton. His Porsche has been back to Parker Racing for some tweaks, including new Avon slicks and a software update for his paddle-shift system, which should provide even faster gear-changes.
Elsewhere, Walter Morris returns to battle in his Midlands Performance BNR32 GT-R, and we have a pair of One-Hit Wonders to look out for including Andy Demitriou, driving an Endurance racing-spec Porsche 964.
Driver Name Car No. Class Car
| Richard Marshall | 5 | Pro | Mitsubishi Evo 9GT |
| Walter Morris | 23 | Pro | Nissan Skyline BNR32 GT-R |
| Simon Deaton | .00. | Pro | Porsche 997 |
| Scott Robson | 33 | Pro | Subaru Impreza |
One-Hit Wonders:
Andy Demitriou 7 Pro OHW Porsche 964
Michael Mahoney 8 Pro OHW Mitsubishi Evo
Pro Extreme
Knockhill Lap Record
T.B.C
If Marcus Webster is to repeat his opening Round victory in his BNR32 GT-R Nissan Skyline, then he’s going to have to do it the hard way. Roger Clark Motorsport have sorted the issues with Gobstopper II, having completed their first ‘full power’ testing at Mallory Park earlier this week.
Then there’s SVA Imports, debuting their all-new Evo 6 with Gareth Lloyd behind the wheel. Don’t rule out Granville Taylor either. On paper, his bespoke creation (an Impreza-powered, spaceframe VW Beetle silouhette) has the potential to set the timing sheets alight. This is one weekend to keep your eyes on Pro Extreme!
Driver Name Car No. Class Car
| Marcus Webster | 24 | Pro Extreme | Nissan Skyline BNR32 GT-R |
| Granville Taylor | 208 | Pro Extreme | VW Beetle Prototype |
| Gareth Lloyd | 106 | Pro Extreme | Mitsubishi Evo 6 |
| Olly Clark | 3 | Pro Extreme | Subaru Impreza |
Don’t forget you can watch all the live timing here on Sunday from 0830hrs and follow updates on the Time Attack Facebook page.Get ready Knockhill, we’re coming!
