Bike Races at Knockhill

[Nomad Z]

Thinking of going to watch the bike racing at Knockhill this weekend. Does it matter which day? (I have no idea about the race series or what championships/finals might be happenning - just want to watch bikes going fast round a track.) Is it more entertaining if it's wet?

What's the traffic like - should I expect massive queues to get in and out if I turn up on four wheels? Planning to go on the bike, but could be tempted to drive if it's rain all day both days (can hide in the Land Rover and get a brew on). Is the car park decently surfaced, or is it an off-road quagmire?

[N1xxl]

It is good dry or wet. No massive queues as it club racing not national. I prefer Saturday as its a little more laid back as its practice and qualifying in the morn and races in the pm. I will be there spannering on the Sunday.

[N1xxl]

Car parking could get muddy but no issues in the LR there are different carparks but you will likely be on semi hard standing.

[carelesschucca]

If you take the car round to the chicane/clark section there's a large area of hard standing. As for weather prepare yourself for everything. if its sunny in the surrounding area it'll be raining at the track.

[SIII]

Having a Land Rover is a distinct advantage at Knockhill, couple of years ago we were pulled out of a huge queue to get in and directed to a huge patch of sloppy mud because we were in the Discovery !!!! Excellent parking spot near the entrance and exit at the end of the day. But there are hard packed roads all over the site.

At chucca said - go ready for all four seasons - that is what you typically experience during a days racing at Knockhill. I usually take the family, so pack folding chairs, umbrella's, a half-moon tent for the kids - good in the sun and in the rain - which you usually get during the day.


Our favourite view point is the inside of the track, at the start / finish. Can get a good view of lots of the track from on top of the hill, but walk around and view races from different points.

[carelesschucca]

my favourite place to view is the benches on railway/Hislops the bikes come past underneath you on their way to the hairpin but you can also see other parts.
As its just club racing you'll be free to wander almost anywhere without people in your way.

[Geordie Mick]

It's super cheap on Saturday (like four quid or something) as the morning is practise/qualifying).

My favorite section is from Dufus/Seat through the esses and onto Brabhams straight. Carlube/Clark's corner is fairly predictable for gravel action...

Can't go sadly as I'm saving up my brownie points for the NEMCRC meeting at east fortune in October.

Mick..

[carelesschucca]

Hmm East Fortune is a way friendlier track to go to. Dunno why but the atmosphere is completely different round there. You can get way closer to the track and some of the corners are SCARY quick...
it doesn't have the elevation changes of knockhill but its a good wee track. The bikes also seem to bounce higher at east fortune when the go down.

[Nomad Z]

It sounds like a day at Knockhill is better in a car than on a bike. 4 quid for Saturday is cheap - might do that and just turn up for the afternoon on the bike (or a couple of hours at least).

Any more info on the track at East Fortune? I didn't even know it existed, and I'm struggling to find out about the event, other than a mention that it's seemingly provisional on 10/11th Oct on the NEMCRC web site. Can't find anything about the track itself (parking, viewing, costs, etc).

[carelesschucca]

http://theracingline.net/racingcircuits/UnitedKingdom/Scotland/EastFortune2003.html

East Fortune is a tiny venture compared to Knockhill.
Parking is all hard standing (old runway)
viewing from most places round the track with exception of the area between Snake and the end of Dickies.
Its a flat track being an airfield so if the area in the middle is cut you can see most of the track.

[SIII]

Might take a wee run over on 10th or 11th to East Fortune, never been.

[Geordie Mick]

Go! As Chucca says, it's a real friendly track - proper club atmosphere - though the next event is "visitors" rather than the home club. They sometimes do a NEMCRC v Melville race at the end of the Sunday at the October event which is a laugh. Weather's hit and miss, obviously...


Facilities are alright - café has some seats and cover now, reasonable bogs/showers (you never know...), hard standing car park. Track's had upgrades in recent years (the section of the main runway which crossed the track has been removed and properly tarmacced over now which improves the back section through snake).


And yeah, they bounce high - esp. at snake/esses and railway.


MICK..

[Nomad Z]

Went to Knockhill yesterday for a couple of hours in the afternoon. Entertaining enough, but it did feel a bit removed from the track (compared to stock cars at Cowdenbeath a few weeks ago, anyway, which was pretty visceral at times). Well worth 4 quid for the time I was there. I forgot about going round to the far side, but found the high spot in the infield near the commentary tower gave good overall views of most of the track. Couldn't find an open burger van, and the café charged me £1.75 for a cup of tea (fine if you're sitting in, but a bit steep for take-out). Best bit was the bikes pulling wheelies along most of the straight before they had to slow down for the right-hander at the end.


I'll probably go to the East Fortune event in October as well.

[Geordie Mick]

So, anyone going tomorrow then?

I'll probably take the bike over (it's for sale, you know... ;)) - be there about 11.00 probably.

MICK..

[SIII]

Forgot all about this !!!! Booked a day out tomorrow on the KTM Enduro, so no show from me :-(

[Nomad Z]

Never made it. Got up late, then ended up watching the F1 before going for a very enjoyable run down the borders.

[Geordie Mick]

Well I went late too as it was raining here. Wet on and off there too so, iffy conditions. Decent afternoon's racing though.

All over til next year. Ho hum.

Mick..

[carelesschucca]

If we were to do it we should make a weekend of it and have a decent ride there on the Saturday, have a few beers in the big tent and then watch the racing on the Sunday while we recover then all head home :)

[Geordie Mick]

Then it would DEFINITELY rain...

I'll try and remember to post again when the 2016 dates are out and see if anyone fancies it. Or remembers why it came up in the first place...:rolleyes:

Mick..