Motorport: Shedden is determined to give fans something to cheer

By JIM McGILL
Published on 25/08/2012 12:03

Fifer Gordon Shedden is 
determined to maximise home advantage this weekend when he fires up his Honda for the British Touring Car Championship triple-header at Knockhill.

Britain’s favourite tintop 
series makes its annual pilgrimage to the Scots circuit, marking 20 years since the BTCC first raced at the 1.3-mile track.

“It’s a massive weekend for everyone, not just at Knockhill, but for anyone with anything to do with motorsport in Scotland,” said Shedden, who also happens to be business development manager at the circuit.

“The BTCC visit isn’t just the biggest commercial three or four days for the circuit – it’s my busiest race weekend of the year.”

A winner of six races already this season, Shedden, the 33-year-old from Dalgety Bay, heads into Sunday’s triple-header second in the championship, just eight points behind his Honda Racing team-mate Matt Neal.

But the Scot, who stresses he will approach the weekend “just like any other”, would have been leading the title race if his car hadn’t failed a mandatory technical check last time out at Snetterton. “Yeah, that was a bit of a bummer,” 
admitted Shedden, who initially crossed the line third, but was then disqualified by stewards.

“But hey, that’s what happens some time. For some reason the turbo on my car was giving an overboost, but now I have to concentrate on this weekend.

“It’ll be tough. There are some really quick cars out there,, but I’m determined to give all the fans something to cheer about.”