THE drive by spectators to watch top-class racing and experience time on track has delighted Knockhill Racing Circuit.

Stuart Gray, events director at Scotland's national motorsport centre, has been thrilled by the response of the public to support events at the track following the easing of lockdown restrictions in the summer.

Fans were able to return to watch the action – in limited numbers – in June before, in August, the circuit's flagship round of the Kwik Fit British Touring Car Championship, which was won by Ash Sutton, was able to welcome crowds of up to 10,000.

That, and the appetite by members of the public to take part in track days or driving experiences, have got them "through the hardship of being closed for so many months during the first and second lockdown".

Speaking to Press Sport, Stuart explained: "It's been pretty intense. We didn't get going until June, and then it was absolutely relentless from then on.

"I think the good thing is we didn't have a lost season; we had a delayed one. Everything, or most things, happened, just in a condensed way. Had we not been released from beyond level zero in August, that would have been a very different picture because we moved beyond level zero on the Monday and then we had touring cars on the Sunday with a full crowd. That was the lifesaver for us on the sporting side.

"It was delivered, (we had) a great crowd, great racing, and onwards and upwards for the rest of the season. It went well.

"The fans came back, which is great. We had no crowds, or very limited crowds until June, and then full crowds in August, so it was a long time for people to be away. The other return was people wanting to go on track, whether it was car track days, bike track days or driving experiences.

"They've been really strong as well on their return. It's really helped us get through the hardship of being closed for so many months during the first and second lockdowns."

This festive season, Knockhill are offering the perfect gift for motorsport fans in the shape of driving experiences – and have teamed up with Press Sport to offer a great prize to one lucky reader in our fantastic competition.

You could win the chance to enjoy either a midweek Formula Race Car Experience or a Rally Driving Experience, prizes which are worth £175 and £165 respectively.

The seat of a Formula Race Car (pictured) is the ultimate way to experience the dramatic dips and climbs of Knockhill, with each lap becoming smoother and quicker as your confidence builds and you race off in search of the chequered flag amid the cambers and vibrations you feel from the track and responsiveness of the car.

Alternatively, you can seek the thrill of rally driving by getting behind the wheel of a custom-built, rally-spec Ford Zetec.

Knockhill's top team of instructors are by your side to help you master over-steer, weight transfer and handbrake turns in a car that boasts 150bhp, is fitted with roll-cages, safety harnesses and offers a hydraulic handbrake to help with those tight turns.

For your chance to win this superb prize, simply tell us: Which driver won the 2021 Kwik Fit British Touring Car Championship?

Simply email your answer, your name and contact number to sport@dunfermlinepress.co.uk by Wednesday December 8, marking 'Knockhill Competition' in the subject box.

One winner from the correct entries will be selected at random to choose which experience they would like. The voucher is valid for 18 months and participants must hold a full, current driving licence.