Knockhill 2010 - The Scottish Spectacular

Was the Scottish Spectacular Spectacular?

The second stop on the Modified Live calendar saw the high power carnival takeover Scotland’s stunning Knockhill circuit. With rare Scottish sun beaming down on the modified metal it was all the excuse the crowds needed to come and feast on the action and take a deep breath of the high octane vapours and shredded rubber in the air.

With the second rounds of both Time Attack and the European Drift Championship taking place the on-track action was relentless. In Time Attack the orange and black Car Planet Racing EVO of Gareth Lloyd put in an amazing performance to win the Pro Class and set a Knockhill record for Time Attack. In the Club Challenge there was something for the local crowds to cheer about as Fiona Kindness took top spot. Her R32 Skyline GTR was pushed hard around the circuit she knows so well, and it showed just what was possible around the rollercoaster ride of a racetrack.

During an interval she was even pitted against a superbike around the circuit, aiming to prove that four wheels are better than two. She narrowly missed out to the bike which we won’t go into! There were more motorbikes too, this time of the stunt variety, taking the chance during intervals in track action to entertain the crowds. Front wheels, back wheels, smoking wheels, no hands all skilful and dangerous stuff that the Scottish onlookers clearly appreciated. In the drifting, Knockhill provides one of the most spectacular circuits of the season; a high speed, blind first corner that suddenly drops down through the SEAT Curves. It’s highly technical and takes huge commitment, which is why the drivers relish it. And sure enough, they put on a fantastic show for the crowds on either side of the track, with Mark Luney in the SVA Imports/Cosworth Nissan 350Z notching his second win of the season with an impressive display.

The reigning Champion is proving tough to beat this year, but with three rounds left it’s far from over.  That wasn’t the only drifting at the event though. The Drift Taxis were busy all day taking those who were brave enough out for a spin…literally. These sideways for hire merchants are a regular sight at Modified Live events and always prove massively popular, apart from with those who have just filled up at one of the numerous burger vans. Make sure you go out in one if you get a chance to see just how much talent goes into the art of drifting. As with all Modified Live events there was a big emphasis on the car clubs.

Often they turn up in support of drivers or cars in Time Attack or the EDC, but it’s a great excuse for any of them to show-off their cars and meet up with fellow club members. The likes of the SIDC, Monster Unit and Edinburgh Cruise all turned up with an amazing array of metal…including a Mini made to look like a cow from the latter, which joined them on the parade lap to the amusement of the crowds. It even had a ‘Moooo’ for a car horn! Not something you see everyday. Something else you don’t see everyday is a bevy of Scottish beauties being interviewed by one of the Modified Live compares.

Teaming up with Knockhill, Modified Live scoured the crowds for girls to be in next year’s Knockhill calendar. While there was a noble cause, it also gave visitors a chance to check out the future stars for themselves and needless to say the crowds were deep. Knockhill might not be the largest or most developed circuits in the UK, but it’s certainly one of the best, offering a breath-taking track and an intimate atmosphere, which is totally unique.

When it’s filled with modified car enthusiasts like it was at Modified Live it becomes even better too, so roll on next year’s event north of the border. Before then though is the Summer Special at Brands Hatch in Kent on 27th June.

This will be the second year under the Modified Live banner and if it’s anything like 2009, it’s one not to be missed if you’re a performance tuning fan.