Rory Butcher hoping to be 'fast from the outset' at Knockhill

Butcher hoping dwelling support will spur him on to glory at Knockhill

28.07.2022: � Scot already three times a podium-finisher in front of his home crowd � Team-mate Collard set to �throw caution to the air current� in upcoming races � Toyota Corolla duo in bullish mood alee of second half of campaign

•    Scot already 3 times a podium-finisher in front of his abode crowd

•    Team-mate Collard ready to 'throw caution to the current of air' in upcoming races

•    Toyota Corolla duo in bullish mood ahead of second half of campaign

The British Touring Car Championship will resume from its mid-flavour intermission at Knockhill this weekend (xxx/31 July), with Toyota Gazoo Racing Great britain pairing Rory Butcher and Ricky Collard feeling well-rested and ready to fight for silverware on the former's home soil.

 Butcher reached the rostrum on three occasions over the opening half of the campaign backside the wheel of his British-built, Speedworks Motorsport-run Toyota Corolla GR Sport. His commendable consistency has seen the 35-year-one-time score in every race he has finished then far in 2022, meaning he will arrive at Knockhill as the best-placed of the four Scots in the standings, sitting sixth overall amongst the 30 loftier-calibre contenders.

 Hailing from less than 20 miles away in Kirkcaldy, Butcher boasts an first-class previous tape around the tight and twisty, 1.27-mile Fife circuit – scene of his maiden BTCC pole position three years ago, which he converted into his first of two victories there to-date.

 While he was out of luck in his dwelling house issue concluding season, fastest lap in the final race withal proved the Corolla's potential at the track, and the 2019 Independents' Champion and Jack Sears Bays winner has promised to ascension to the occasion when the Great britain's premier motor racing series roars back into life in just a few days' time.

Team-mate Collard has found his efforts to reacclimatise to the cutting-and-thrust of touring motorcar competition persistently frustrated past ill-fortune of one kind or some other, merely on the rare occasions he has enjoyed a trouble-costless run – like at Oulton Park last month – the Surrey-built-in star has needed no 2d invitation to demonstrate his raw pace and racecraft skills.

 Knockhill, moreover, has been a happy hunting ground for Collard in the past – winning there in the MSA Formula unmarried-seater series in 2015 and going on to tally his showtime BTCC points at the excursion in only his second outing in the title three years after. As he returns north of the border, the third-generation racer – who will turn 26 this weekend – has his sights solidly attack another strong operation.

 Post-obit Sabbatum afternoon's qualifying session at xv:xv – broadcast on itv.com/btcc – Lord's day's doorhandle-to-doorhandle action will be shown live and in high-definition on ITV'south primary channel from 12:00, prior to switching to ITV4 at 14:55.

Christian Dick, Team Principal, Toyota Gazoo Racing United kingdom of great britain and northern ireland, said:

 "It'southward fair to say it was a pretty mixed outset half of the season for us, with some skilful results and encouraging performances, but also besides many occasions when – for whatever reason – we didn't fulfil our potential.

 "We know we have all the ingredients nosotros need to succeed – the Toyota is a proven race-winning automobile, Rory is a proven race-winning commuter and Ricky is i of the most promising young talents effectually – and over the last few weeks, nosotros accept been working hard to slot all the missing pieces of the puzzle into place.

 "Knockhill has been a skillful track for united states of america in the past – nosotros've won in that location with the Avensis and finished on the podium with the Corolla – and while rear wheel-drive cars practise probably however take a slight advantage, particularly in terms of traction exiting the first-gear hairpin onto the start/terminate straight, the difference has been less noticeable in recent years and we're definitely upwards for a fight!

 "Nosotros always receive a warm welcome from the knowledgeable and enthusiastic Scottish fans, and their proximity to the action creates an incredible atmosphere – so permit'southward promise we tin put on a fantastic show for them all this weekend."

Rory Butcher, Driver, Toyota Gazoo Racing United kingdom, said:

 "We've obviously had a chip of a suspension from the BTCC over the by few weeks, but I've nonetheless had plenty going on. There was the Goodyear tyre exam earlier this month, and and so I raced a classic Porsche at Snetterton so information technology'southward been a squeamish combination of seat fourth dimension and downtime and as much as I feel refreshed, I'm definitely ready to go once more.

 "For me, there could exist no improve place to begin the 2d half of the flavor than Knockhill. I absolutely beloved competing there – it just feels and then different to every other issue on the calendar. The BTCC simply travels to Scotland once a year, and the fans encompass it with a passion. As a commuter, that astounding support gives you lot such a elevator and really helps you to excerpt that last tenth-of-a-second.

 "The track itself poses a unique challenge; the offset sector is really undulating, and from Duffus Dip, you don't finish turning until yous exit the chicane, which you approach completely blind at over 100mph! It's just a very busy lap that tends to produce exciting racing in an amazing amphitheatre-like setting.

 "We left Knockhill last year feeling we'd got the Corolla into a really strong place. Nosotros were flying in the final race so I'grand very hopeful that by adopting that set up-up as a starting point this time around, nosotros can be fast from the outset. There'southward naturally more expectation and pressure on my shoulders than when we get to other circuits, but it'southward a track I know well and I desire to come away smiling and with a big haul of points. If that includes a trophy or 2, all the better..."

Ricky Collard, Driver, Toyota Gazoo Racing UK, said:

 "It was a pretty intense first half of the flavour, and so information technology'due south been expert to accept a flake of time off but now I'thousand looking frontward to getting back out there. Knockhill is a identify that has happy memories for me, and it'southward the kickoff excursion this year where I've had prior racing experience in a touring machine, admitting in rear wheel-drive rather than front wheel-bulldoze.

 "It'southward a fun little lap – brusk, sharp and all twisting and turning, a real rollercoaster ride with very picayune margin for error, which is exactly the kind of old-school challenge I enjoy – and Rory has obviously washed a few miles around in that location in his fourth dimension, so I need to make sure I draw upon all of his experience and pick up as many tips and tricks from him as I can.

 "We tested there dorsum in Apr, which was when I felt I started to really gel with the Toyota for the beginning time. The Corolla's brusque wheelbase should be well-suited to the tight, technical part of the lap and nosotros focussed a lot over the summer on the way the automobile rides the kerbs, which is key at Knockhill – so I'thousand confident we should exist in decent shape.

 "We always said the commencement one-half of the year would be a learning curve, and I learned and improved a lot. Nosotros clearly haven't been able to deliver the results we wanted to then far, only Oulton Park demonstrated what nosotros're capable of when we get a clean run and hopefully fortune will favour us this weekend – I think we're due a bit of good luck now!

 "I've reset my arroyo slightly over the intermission, and am going into the second half of the season with the mental attitude that I have nothing to lose. I'grand ready to button hard and throw caution to the wind, and to a higher place all, I really want to enjoy every race. If nosotros tin can take hold of a few podiums along the style, that would exist the icing on the cake."

Russell Atkins , Jakob Ebrey Photography

Source: https://www.automobilsport.com/race-categories--24/race-categories--24,240664,Butcher-hoping-home-support-will-spur-him-on-to-glory-at-Knockhill,news.htm

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