30 Thu Apr 2026 by Knockhill
Four drivers who helped shape the course of Scottish Motorsport from the 70s to current days are to be celebrated at the Knockhill Day of Champions car race event on Sunday 17th May.
Doug Niven, David Leslie, John Cleland and Gordon Shedden have won a numerous of British titles, and a World Championship, between them and have been household names from the 70s onwards. The team at Knockhill are delighted that Doug, John and Gordon have confirmed their attendance at the event, .
Doug Niven won races the length and breadth of the UK in the 70s, famously racing his iconic Formula 1 V8 engined VW Beetle. Doug, a farmer from Duns and cousin of the late, great Jim Clark, will be present, together with the Jim Clark Trust, to present the inaugural awarding of the Doug Niven Trophy to the winner of Historic Modsports and Special Saloon race.
In addition, the David Leslie Trophy will be awarded again to the aggregate winner of the Scottish Classic Sports and Saloons. David was one of the most talented all-round drivers to race at both Knockhill and Ingliston and had a career that took him to Le Mans with Ecurie Ecosse, winning the C2 World Championship for sports cars, and he was also a leading drivers in the British Touring Car championship in the late 90s. David was a renowned driver coach, and together with his father David Snr, they coached David Coulthard, Allan McNish and Dario Franchitti as they started their racing careers. Such was his influence, his name lives on at Knockhill as the second corner was renamed "Leslies" in his memory as sadly he was tragically killed in a light aircraft accident in 2008.
Both John Cleland and Gordon Shedden have been synonymous with the British Touring Car Championship since the 80s, winning 5 titles between them. John won twice in 1989 and 1995 with Vauxhall with Gordon winning for Honda in 2012, 2015 and 2016. Both will be attending the event to help with post race award presentations and meeting the fans.
The Day of Champions with also feature around 40 champions and notable drivers from the 70, 80s and 90s, many who attended the 50th Anniversary event of Knockhill last year. Such is the interest in the event, the Veterans of Scottish Motorsport are attending, together with the Jim Clark Trust, to maintain links with racers from the early years of Knockhill.
The event features the Historic Modsports & Special Saloons for the first time, Karting Legends demos with Long circuit Karts from the 80s and 90s, an anticipated record number of Scottish Legends race cars, as well as demos of competition cars from the 70s, 80s and 90s.
The event starts at 8.30am with familiarisation sessions, then a full programme of racing from 9.30am onwards, with an anticipated finishing time of 5pm.
