MCE Insurance British Superbikes - 17th - 19th June 2011

A galaxy of bike racing stars are set to make their annual pilgrimage to Knockhill Racing Circuit, by Dunfermline for round five of the 2011 MCE Insurance British Superbike Championship, ADT Fire and Security Knockhill round.

Ex-Moto GP rider and American hero John 'Hopper' Hopkins from San Diego, California, current BSB Knockhill lap record holder Shane 'Shakey' Byrne from London and three times winner and reigning champion Ryuichi Kiyonari from Japan are set to lock horns for wheel to wheel action at over 180mph on race day, Sunday 19th June, which is also Father's Day.

HM Plant Honda's Byrne will be hoping for better luck after his spectacular crash last time at Knockhill in 2008 and to consolidate his position at the top of the standings ahead of Samsung Crescent Racing's John Hopkins.

The visit of the Superbikes brings the largest number of entrants ever seen for Scotland's biggest motorcycle racing event. With a full grid of MCE British Superbike riders, Fuchs-Silkolene British Supersport, Metzeler Superstock 600 & 1000 racers as well as the youngsters in the Sunoco British 125 GP riders including local heroes Tarran Mackenzie, son of three times British Superbike Champion Niall, and girl racer Sammi Tasker from Alloa.

The programme also includes sidecars with the Eastern Airways British Sidecar Championship for the first time in over a decade.

Event Director Stuart Gray said:

"This is the BIG ONE! More quality teams, more stars, more classes and more action. It promises to be the best British Superbike event here at Knockhill since the Millennium as you have to go back that far to when grids were this packed with quality. With over 3,000 event personnel and a crowd of over 10,000 expected, it's a great boost to the local economy too and with the media coverage, it will put Knockhill, Fife and Scotland on the sporting pages throughout the world."

This year's event is being promoted as a three-day event as the teams roll into Scotland on Thursday 16th June before taking to the track for practice from Friday 17th onwards.

Stuart Gray added:

"We recognise the value and draw of British Superbikes and this year are promoting the Friday too and will have three days of action and entertainment, including ex-World Stunt Riding Champion Kevin Carmichael to entertain during the lunch breaks. Add in the club gatherings, trade stands, merchandise outlets and two giant TV screens for spectators to follow every second of the action, British Superbikes is a real festival for all bike racing enthusiasts."