Circuit Length (Miles):
1.30

Situated in Fife on exposed heathland near Dunfermline. The track is quite narrow which limits overtaking opportunities but provides excellent racing. Knockhill is popular with riders because of the demands the track throws at them. Viewing is good from various places especially from the knoll in the middle of the circuit. Facilities are also good.

Start / Finish

• The start / finish straight

Seat Curves

• The drive downhill along Stewart Straight is undulated and is also one of the fastest sections of the circuit does make the braking point earlier than it might be otherwise
Entry to the curves demands precision on the brakes
The Curves are tricky and riders will peel in quite late but hard
Riders will usually try to peel in between the 50m marker and the marshals post at Apex 1
They will clip the right hand kerb late at the crest of the brow at Apex 1 before drifting out to use no more than half the track between the two corners – the track continues steeply downhill
As riders past the low flat concrete strip on the left they’ll turn the bike ready for the late Apex 2 and through to Scotsman

Scotsman

• Coming out of the Curves riders will be aware not to drift too wide across to the right as slight braking is required before the turn in point to Scotsman
Some riders will go into this corner with as much speed as possible and then lean the bike hard to scrub off speed
The turn in point into the apex feels a little early as it is not too well marked so riders are vigilant to pick a spot
In wet weather a steam can run across this corner even when the rest of the track is dry
The actual Apex is normal at the crown of the kerb but if the riders line is good, power can be applied from the apex or just slightly before
Coming out of the apex the track falls away so riders will aim to straighten the bike on the exit and not to reach the outside kerb too early
It is important for riders to use power on the exit and to drive the bike from Scotsman to Butchers
Overtaking through Scotsman is awkward as there is only one line

Butchers

• No braking is needed going into Butchers as riders go over the brow into the first Apex
The first Apex is very late and care should be taken on the dip preceding this as the track falls away sharply which unloads the suspension
Riders will be trying to select the straightest line possible through to John R Weir
From Apex 1 to Apex 2 it is uphill and riders will use half of the track width or less and the bike should be upright as braking commences
Just before Apex 2 there is a severe brow so riders will try to turn the bike before the suspension unloads over this brow of the hill
It is important for riders to carry the speed through this chicane
Riders will usually be airborne over this brow and the larger machines may still be airborne going through Apex 3!
As bikes land late at Apex 3 it is important for riders to time the landing with a secondary late turn while the suspension is compressed and the grip is enhanced
Riders will get on the power hard as soon as the bike settles
Riders will aim to clip the exit kerb just before it ends and they will need to be on the speed going into Brabhams

Clark

• Coming out of Brabhams the slight uphill assists the riders braking
There is overtaking potential at this point and the braking zone is straight but undulating
The later the riders an leave the peel in into the Apex the more they will be helped with the uphill camber on the approach
They will turn in from the point where the kerbing narrows and this corner starts to flatten a little which doesn’t help the riders hold a straight line
The apex is late on the blind brow and this brow tends to throw the bike wide hence a late exit is required
A fast exit is required here clipping the left hand side heading towards Hislops

Hislops

• This is actually a kink in the track
As you stay close to the inside track with the power on riders will need to be careful to pick a late apex on Hislops to avoid the bumps and to stop the bike drifting too far to the right
The final approach to Real Radio Hairpin is uphill, very fast and undulating, which can make braking difficult
Braking points do vary depending on the machines used
Riders usually use the service road on the right as a useful reference

Real Radio Hairpin

• A variety of lines will suffice for this hairpin especially if all riders arrive at the same time!
Riders usually choose a late turn in and apex in order to maximise speed onto the start / finish straight
The Apex is late (if possible) just past the mid point of the corner
Track is uphill here with a strong positive camber
Riders will wind on the power smoothly and not too early or they run out of room
The bike will drift over to the left of the track on exiting
Surface is very rough and is usually the cause of accidents
All uphill to the brow of the hill to the start / finish line