Barretts Honda Racing News
Local hero Gordon Shedden says his Honda Racing Team Civic will allow him to delight the home fans when the Dunlop MSA British Touring Car Championship resumes at Knockhill in Scotland this weekend.

The Fife flier, who is currently fourth in the standings, thinks the hatchback racer and the demanding Scottish track are the perfect partners.

“Knockhill is a really tricky circuit because it has undulation, some of the corners are over crests and you have to really attack it to get the best out of it,” explains the 31-year-old, who works at the track as a commercial director. “I think the Honda Racing Team will score big points on a circuit like this. The strengths of our car include the incredible handling of the Civic and that is what Knockhill is all about. You can see why I am looking forward to it.”

Shedden has taken three wins so far this season and is within touching distance of the title lead. He knows that the results over the three races on Sunday are going to be vital towards his push for the crown.

“You have got to maximise your points all the time because consistency is the key to any title attack,” he explains. “I want to come away from Knockhill with 30 points in the bag which means I need to be on the podium in all three races. It is hard to do in a series that is as competitive as the British Touring Car Championship but, with the Civic, I have a great chance."

“It is also nice for me to race in front of the home fans,” he adds. “These three races offer as many points as any other on the calendar and I am always trying my maximum but when you see all the supporters there it is nice to give them something to cheer about.”

Shedden’s team-mate Matt Neal is also looking forward to this weekend’s showdown. The 43-year-old is also a three-time winner in the 2010 campaign and is third in the standings. 

The former double champion says that Knockhill will provide an all-action weekend. “It is a funny little circuit at Knockhill and it is quite small, which is great for the fans because it means the field never gets that spread out,” he explains. “That might be fun for the spectators and TV viewers, but it makes it hard work for the drivers! Having said that I am extremely optimistic heading to the track. Recently, we have had races on layouts that haven’t played to our strongest points so we have just consolidated our position but that will change in Scotland. 

“The Civic is brilliant at riding the kerbs, which you need to do at Knockhill to get a good lap time and the chassis is incredibly well balanced. If we can capitalise on that, then this weekend could prove to be a turning point for myself and for Gordon in terms of the championship chase.”