The first date I look for on the racing calendar is when the Porsche Carrera Cup GB comes to Knockhill. I love the buzz and the thrill of racing at my own track. Surprising as it may seem, I don’t race at Knockhill very often so it is a great chance for family, friends and all those who have supported me to come and see me race rather than watch it on TV.
Home Race Spectacular! by Rory Butcher
The first date I look for on the racing calendar is when the Porsche Carrera Cup GB comes to Knockhill. I love the buzz and the thrill of racing at my own track. Surprising as it may seem, I don’t race at Knockhill very often so it is a great chance for family, friends and all those who have supported me to come and see me race rather than watch it on TV.
Of course I have to take a rather large hit on ticket requests, but that is a small price to pay for the massive support!
And we definitely feel we are on the up. It has been no secret that the first half of the season was difficult with the crash at Croft summing it all up perfectly. But the Celtic Speed boys did a great job rebuilding the car, and it worked really well at Snetterton. I felt my confidence growing by the session and I am ready to take that form into this weekend.
Check out my onboard lap from Free Practice 2 at Snetterton:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=r0dbOiE6A4g&feature=c4-overview&list=UU05rv7nwKWWsxVHM_aYi84Q
This is my home circuit and also my place of work so the atmosphere will be awesome! All the guys in the Porsche Carrera Cup GB know their way round the track and can look at the circuit with a pair of fresh eyes. At the Porsche Carrera Cup media day in March the majority of drivers answered "Knockhill" when they were asked where they will look forward to racing the most in the 2013 season. I think this is because Knockhill poses a great challenge for drivers and cars alike and it always provides close racing. The first section is like a rollercoaster with six changes of direction and constant undulations in the space of 700 metres, all in all it is a fun place to drive!
Perhaps the advantage I have is that I can go home at night, or I can pop into the circuit office and chat to work colleagues.
I will have a lot more people than usual cheering me on, and I am determined not to let them down. Other drivers speak about the pressure of a home round – I look at it from the other side. I feel the only pressure on me is what I put on myself. The crowd cheering makes it even more special – the louder the better. It is impossible to set targets at Knockhill because it always throws up something unexpected.
I'm really looking forward to catching up with all my sponsors who have provided so much support over the past few seasons and I have dedicated an hour on Sunday afternoon between 1.15 and 2.15 for sponsors and their guests to join the Celtic Speed team and I for race car tours and general motorsport chat. Beers and bubbly will be on hand!
For those who unfortunately can't make the race day, race 2 will be broadcast live on ITV4 at 16.15 on Sunday afternoon.
TSL Timing will be providing lap times and results as they happen. Click the link below and scroll to the bottom of the screen where you will find the live timing feature;
Friday Free Practice
Qualifying and Races
Weekend Timetable
Friday
Free Practice 1 10.40 – 11.25
Free Practice 2 15.20 – 16.05
Saturday
Qualifying 13.50 – 14.20
Sunday
Race 1 10.15 (32 Laps)
Race 2 16.15 (32 Laps - live on ITV 4)
Full Weekend Timetable
http://www.tsl-timing.com/timetables/2013/133403.pdf
Once again, I’d like to say a big thank you to Celtic Speeds Team Principal Tommy Dreelan and the following companies for their continued and loyal support;
Advantec Aberdeen Ltd
Agrii
Angel Wax
Caledonia Print
Dalkeith Transport
Harley Hepburn Accountants
21 Hospitality Group
Houseman Drylining
Intrafusion Website Design and Development
John Young Signs
J Gilmour Painter and Decorators Kirkcaldy
Knockhill Racing Circuit
McDonald Engineers
Mind And Body Studio
Production Glassfibre
Scotcars
Short Term Finance
William Waugh Ltd
William Johnston and Company
© Celtic Speed 2026
