Motorsport fans from the Highlands looking for somewhere to go this weekend can head for Knockhill, where Scotland’s National Motorsport Centre is preparing to stage the longest race in its history.
Up to 80 riders will tackle a remarkable 500km and 250 lap motorcycle endurance race on Saturday afternoon, complete with a traditional Le Mans style running start.
The Biker Lawyers Endurance Race gets under way at 2.25pm on Saturday, 22 August, and will bring a type of racing rarely seen at Knockhill.
Teams of up to four riders will share each motorcycle, with pit stops, rider changes and strategy becoming every bit as important as outright speed.
Before any of that begins, there will be a little piece of Le Mans theatre.
The opening riders will stand on one side of the track before running across the circuit to their motorcycles, which will be held ready by their teammates.
Once they are aboard, there are 250 laps and 500km still to come.
The endurance race is the headline attraction in a packed weekend as No Limits Racing brings more than 200 riders north of the Border, including many who have never previously raced at Knockhill.
There will be 23 races across the weekend featuring everything from Streetbikes and CB500s to Supertwins, Supersport 600 machines and Superbikes.
BMW F900, NextGen Sportbikes, Pre Injection 600 and Old School Superbikes will also be among the machinery taking to the circuit.
Knockhill Director of Events Stuart Gray said:
“We are delighted that No Limits have brought all their racing championships to Knockhill.
“It is an action packed race weekend with 23 races all in, but on top of that, the 500km race will add drama and spectacle rarely seen at Knockhill.
“With numerous pitstops and rider changes, the race result will be undecided until the last lap as any drama could happen at any time.”
Saturday’s 500km contest should be particularly demanding because endurance racing asks considerably more of a team than simply being quick for a handful of laps.
Riders have to maintain their pace, motorcycles have to survive the distance and every pit stop and rider change provides another opportunity to win or lose valuable time.
For spectators, it also means watching a race develop rather than simply disappear in a few frantic minutes.
Saturday’s programme begins at 11am before the 500km race starts at 2.25pm, with Sunday’s racing getting under way at 9.20am.
Adult tickets cost £18 for either day or £25 for the full weekend, with admission for children aged 12 and under free and no charge for parking.
For Highland motorcycle and motorsport fans wondering where the road might take them this weekend, Scotland’s National Motorsport Centre is offering 500 very good reasons to point the bike or car towards Knockhill.
