Aiden Moffat admitted he would love a repeat of his podium finish last year at this weekends British Touring Car Championship meeting at the young Scot’s home circuit of Knockhill.
Moffat claimed the first podium of his career finish after a ferocious duel on circuit with three-time World Touring Car champion Andy Priaulx. Though Moffat was initially bested by the Guernseyman on circuit, the stewards later ruled that Moffat was due the final spot on the podium, and he was handed the trophy at the next event.
He joins defending champion Gordon Shedden in welcoming the rest of the BTCC circus this weekend as the series makes it’s only annual trip north of the Scottish border to the notoriously challenging 1.27 mile circuit in Fife, near Edinburgh.
The 19-year old has fond memories of it’s undulating, tight and unforgiving nature, and expects action guaranteed for the legions of dedicated BTCC fans making the pilgrimage north.
“Knockhill’s where I’ve done most of my racing throughout my career and it’s always a track I love going back to. It’s a great place to be, it’s a great track to drive and it’s always action packed racing there.” he commented.
“I missed out on the champagne last year but it got reversed afterwards giving me my podium so hopefully this year we can be in a similar position but get to lift a trophy on one of the steps up there.”
Moffat also gave an insight into the psychological challenge of tackling circuits like Knockhill, in particular the need to be a little forceful with your closest rivals on circuit in order to assert yourself on a short, quick and ever-changing lap. He also admitted that, despite fond memories as a spectator, he certainly prefers the view from inside the Laser Tools Racing Mercedes A-Class.
“It’s a short track and it’s a tight track so you need to be a bit rough to make moves. It’s not brilliant for us but it is for the people watching. It’s always good racing around there and it’s somewhere I used to go and love watching there but it’s now a bit more special watching from behind the wheel.”
He believes that the Silverline Subaru BMR Racing quartet are set to enjoy a strong weekend, with their rear-wheel drive configuration believed to be the optimum choice alongside that of the BMW 125i M-Sport. Moffat also believes that he and Adam Morgan, in the sister Mercedes, can work together effectively to put the race-winning model at the sharp end of the field.
“I think the Subarus will be strong. It’s a great car and the track will be well suited to their car. There’s no reason the Mercedes’ of myself and Adam Morgan can’t be up their either though.”
He also believes that local hero and Knockhill employee Gordon Shedden is set to enjoy a strong weekend as the double champion attempts to build on a race victory at Snetterton and move himself back firmly into contention for a third crown come Brands Hatch in October.
“Gordon always flies around there. It’s kind of a given now that he’s going to get a podium or two up there and he’s one of those drivers who can always fight his way back so he’ll be another name who you’d expect to be up there.”
The first race gets underway on Sunday 14th August at 11:50.