Knockhill race could see third series leader

The BTCC makes its one visit of the year to Scotland this weekend at the Knockhill Circuit in Fife, and Jason Plato is the driver being very closely chased. The Chevrolet driver snatched the championship lead at Snetterton from Honda’s Matt Neal, and then saw it drastically reduced at Silverstone to new second placed man, Tom Onslow-Cole.

The Knockhill circuit itself historically could be considered a ‘SEAT’ circuit, with the TDI SEAT in 2008 taking all three victories for drivers Jason Plato and Darren Turner. Though with only one SEAT entered this year, cars with characteristics of the Leon are the next best reference point.

Chevrolet’s short record in the BTCC at the circuit is strong as well – with a car specifically built to beat the WTCC originating SEAT Leon. Jason Plato took pole and race one victory at the circuit last year with the Lacetti, but only just, finishing just ahead of local hero Gordon Shedden in the Cartridge World Racing SEAT. Then Chevrolet driver Mat Jackson took the win in the race third race of the day, and Chevrolet will be aiming to repeat that form with Plato again and current driver Alex MacDowall.

Team Aon however, are also expected to perform well. The team are hoping their chassis improvements will help them maintain their performance, though Team Aon’s rivals expect the extra torque delivered from the turbo charged Ford engine will actually be what keeps them at the front of the pack.

The team will start the weekend with the same restrictions on their turbo restrictor (35mm) and boost pressure imposed at Silverstone.

“I need to follow up the results we had at Silverstone with some more strong performances this weekend,” said Tom Chilton, currently fifth in the championship.

“It will be tough, especially with the latest performance restrictions that TOCA have given our cars, but I still think we have a really strong package overall and that’s what you need at Knockhill, it’s not just about engine power or straight line speed.”

Chilton’s team mate, Tom Onslow-Cole gave up at least six points in the championship to Chilton by handing over two victories at Silverstone, with the team saying they’re employing a strategy to have both drivers in contention for the championship at the season end.

With Chevrolet’s Jason Plato a force to be reckoned with especially when threatened, and the two Honda Racing Team Civic’s expecting to be back to their early season form in the last three rounds, Team Aon will be hoping their Robin Hood modelled points strategy doesn’t backfire on them in the long run.

Honda’s new engine is reportedly delivering an extra 5bhp for the Civic, a car which drivers Neal & Shedden expect will be well suited to Knockhill, as well as the last two races at Donington Park and Brands Hatch, the team look set to make a charge to rescue their championship ambitions, and close in on Silverline Chevrolet team.

Where the Team Aon Ford’s fit in the mix is more in the hands of TOCA, with BTCC Series Director Alan Gow stating that their may well be more changes that may hinder or help the LPG car at Knockhill. With Team Aon being subjected to technical changes in three of the last four meetings, it wouldn’t be surprising to see more adjustments if the Ford is too strong, or too far back after the all important Saturday qualifying session.