You approach it through tiny country lanes, you can't believe there is such a gem hidden behind pine trees and fields of cows. It's well worth the journey to Scotland (for us it's an 8hr drive in good traffic).
The home of Gordon Sheddon, quite literally, he and his wife work there (she is the MD) so when the BTCC circus arrives it's day job meets weekend special.
But it was a sombre meeting, at least before race one, as we all said a farewell to Jack Sears, Gentleman Jack, the first winner of the touring car series and a man who was regular at meetings right up to his death. Thousands of people observed the minute's silence, drivers lined up together on the track, and there was an eerie calm being surrounded by so many people in absolute silence.
Thank you to Alan Hyde for his wonderful speech, a fitting farewell to the first BTCC legend.
RIP Gentleman Jack
Much happier news was seeing Dan Welch back on track in the reborn Optimus. The team had barely a week to take an old bodyshell and create a car. They even put out a call for assistance and had a mass of hardened Welch Warriors appear to help with the rebuild on what would normally be their weekend off.
Making it even more poignant, Dan's wife Lucy went into labour the day after the massive crash, safely delivering baby Dexter, their second child and first boy. Poor Dan lost precious bonding time stuck in the workshop rebuilding after the incident Ollie Jackson was penalised for.
There were extra cheers for Dan as he went by on the circuit.
PowerMaxedRacing had their own challenge to rebuild Hunter Abbott's car after it's journey along the barrier but they maintain it was less badly damaged than they had first feared at Snetterton.
888 Race Engineering (MG Racing) also had more than their fair share of rebuilding issues and were very vocal about the poor driving standards that caused it.
I can't fail to mention the special landmark our old man of the BTCC managed at Knockhill. Jason Plato completed his 500th race, not only that but he won it too after starting on pole. (autosport article)
He then took 3rd place in the next two races, making it by far his best weekend this year.
Unfortunately, Jason then soured things by again complaining about a lack of engine parity, claiming other cars on the grid to be much higher in power than the Levorgs. His complaints have now got to the stage that after Knockhill Alan Gow himself (Mr BTCC) has issued a statement claiming that Jason's remarks to the media are "borderline offensive" after the amount of good will extended earlier in the year to Team BMR to get their new cars competitive.
Whether you are a fan or not, you have to see how bizarre it is for someone with three podiums and a pole in qualifying to claim his car doesn't have enough power to compete with his rivals.
For fans, there was a simple but oh so needed change to Knockhill from last year in the form of shelters.
A bit like large open fronted cattle barns, four strategic locations around the circuit now have a place to huddle out of the charming Scottish weather and they make a huge difference when there is a sudden downpour.
Special Mentions:
Happy Birthday to massive BTCC fan Paul Nash (again)
Thanks to Rob Austin for his suggestion on a facebook thread asking for the ultimate BTCC weekend soundtrack. I spent most of a nightmare 12 hour journey home (don't ask) with East Bound and Down running through my head. (Great song, just not for that long).
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