THE motorsports season is set to get off to a tire screeching start at nearby Knockhill this April.

The racing circuit will play host to an event almost every weekend this month and the free Minimoto Trial has already taken place.

Scottish Motor Racing Club (SMRC) will return for a full day for Round 1 on Sunday, April 10, with 11 races promising an action packed morning and afternoon.

An Easter Family Fun Day and Hot Hatch Trackday will follow the week after while highlights down the road will include the Bennetts British Superbike event on June 17-19, Kwik Fit British Touring Car events at the end of July and the return of the McRae Rally Challenge at the start of the same month.

The superbike event in June will see the return of a Scottish Champion, the first time that has happened in 25 years, with Tarren Mackenzie displaying the coveted No 1 plate on his Yamaha.

The McRae Rally Challenge will feature three generations of the rally dynasty while the Kwik Fit British Touring Cars events will see four Scottish drivers, including three-time champion Gordon Shedden and rising star Rory Butcher.

Stuart Gray, director of events at Knockhill Racing Circuit, told the Advertiser: “We are delighted to be launching a full calendar of events at Knockhill, the first in three years at Knockhill, Scotland's National Motorsport Centre.

“The first event is a Scottish Championship car race meeting on Sunday, April 10, and from then on, its action packed all the way to November.”

The racing track weathered the storms of the pandemic, having seen staff on furlough for nine months and restrictions in the past years.

Stuart added: “With restrictions lifted and a full schedule, we look forward to welcoming back our annual footfall of some 175 000 visitors per annum."

Other events to look out for will include the return of the British F2 Sidecars in September in its 40th anniversary year since the tragic loss of the late, great Jock Taylor.

Super Tourers and Modified Fords will feature at the May 8 SMRC at the David Leslie Trophy Meeting.

The highly competitive SMRC car racing and KMSC Super Lap Scotland events are both expanding with more racing content.

Season passes and general tickets are available on knockhill.com or by calling 01383 723337; ticket sales will also be available for those looking to make a last-minute purchase on the day at the gate.