Knockhill Racing Circuit celebrates its 50th anniversary

The iconic West Fife venue, located to the north of Dunfermline, marked 50 years since it first opened on September 22 1974 during a weekend of motorbike action.

Scotland's national motorsport centre hosted a '50th anniversary bike festival' across the weekend and, on its second day, the opening ceremony from five decades ago was re-created - to the minute.

Bikes from the first ceremony 50 years ago, which saw riders Alastair King and George Buchan, assisted by Irene Sinclair, declare the track open, were used in the 2024 event.

Margaret Allan, who was secretary when the first opening ceremony was held, was helped by Scottish GP rider, Donnie McLeod, and TT legend, John McGuinness, whilst British Superbike stars Rory Skinner and Lewis Rollo, and Knockhill managing director, Jillian Shedden, shared some bubbly during the staging of a second re-creation to showcase the next five decades of racing.

Managing director Jillian Shedden with Rory Skinner and Lewis Rollo. (Image: Knockhill Racing Circuit.)

In addition, the largest gathering of Scottish champions, numbering more than 50, were invited to celebrate with the circuit's milestone, as were a vast gathering of stars from across five decades of bike sport at Knockhill.

They all took to the track, with many riding their race bikes and wearing their original racing leathers, to celebrate and reminisce about their successes.

Across both days, GP, TT and British race bikes were on display, whilst there were classic motorcycle club races, rewind show bikes from the 1970s, 80s and 90s, 'Mini Moto' demonstrations, rewind track sessions and 30 sidecars, featuring the Jock Taylor Trophy race.

Knockhill hosted a special bike festival to mark its 50th anniversary. (Image: Knockhill Racing Circuit.)

There was also an opportunity for spectators to participate in a unique, free track walk and Stuart Gray, director of events at Knockhill, said: "What we have all witnessed and enjoyed today (Sunday) was truly special and memorable.

"To have champions who were crowned in 1974 mixing shoulders with champions who were crowned two weeks ago was remarkable.

"We are truly thankful to our dedicated marshals, officials and riders for making this event memorable and the hundredFormer Scottish champions, and other stars from the last five decades, attended the landmark anniversary event. (Image: Knockhill Racing Circuit.) s of owners who brought along their iconic racing and road bikes from the last five decades."

Throughout the year, Knockhill have been celebrating 50 years of motorsport at its venue.

It was created through the vision of landowner, Tom Kinnaird, and his friend and fellow businessman, Dave Brown, and was Scotland's first purpose built, full-time motorsport facility.

Described in the Press at the time of its opening as set to "become the Brands Hatch of Dunfermline", more than 145 riders, and 6,000 spectators, attended the first bike meeting there on September 22 1974.

Since then, and following a challenging first decade, during which multiple operators struggled to get Knockhill off the ground, four decades of investment followed after Derek Butcher assumed ownership of the circuit at the end of 1983.

That helped turn the venue into an FIA world grade three circuit, capable of hosting the British Superbike Championship, and British Touring Car Championship, in front of up to 20,000 fans.

The next event in Knockhill's landmark year will be the 'Best Of Scottish Motorsport Finale', featuring competitors from Knockhill Motor Sports Club (KMSC) and Scottish Motor Racing Club (SMRC), over the weekend of October 5-6.