Seat Cupra Championship leader Robert Lawson warmed up for the next round of the series at Knockhill on August 16/17 by cramming in three races at recent Scottish Motor Racing Club meeting at the Fife circuit.
The North Yorkshire racer, whose only previous experience of the 1.3-mile circuit came in 2006 when he contested the Clio Championship, again turned to his Renault to reacquaint himself with Knockhill.
“The timing was perfect for me because my local club, the Darlington & District Motor Club, held one of its meetings at Knockhill at the weekend and I was able to race in the round of the Northern Saloon Championship,” Lawson explained.
“Given the fact I’m back in the Seat next weekend at the circuit, it was the ideal opportunity to reacquaint myself with Knockhill and blow the cobwebs away.”
“I love the circuit. It’s very challenging and there’s really nothing else like it in the country. It certainly has more humps and hollows than my home circuit at Croft.”
And Lawson, who has seen a sizeable advantage in the race for the championship slowly evaporate as Kirkcaldy’s defending Seat Cupra champ Jonathan Adam upped the pace, admits he won’t be changing his approach to the race weekend at Knockhill.
“I’m coming up to win and take points away from Jonathan,” he continued.
“Really, there’s no point in racing unless you’re in it to win it.”
“But I’ve always been realistic. I know all we can do is go out there and do our best. That’s always been my attitude and just because the championship is getting to the period of the season when things become even more crucial, I’ll not be changing.”
“My approach has always been to take one race at a time. There’s no point in looking too far ahead at the championship and putting yourself under too much pressure. I’ve always worked hard at focusing on each individual race and that’s what I aim to continue doing.”
“So far I’ve had a really consistent season. Winning and racking up a series of podium finishes has been the key to my championship bid and hopefully that consistency will continue.”
“But like Jonathan, I know it’s important not do anything silly. There’s a lot at stake over the next three meetings and while I’ll be pushing everything as hard as I can, both in qualifying and the races, it’s crucial I don’t make any mistakes.”
“I know Jonathan will have a big support behind him at Knockhill, but I’m not coming up to Knockhill to be second. I want to beat him on his home patch and take a big step towards the championship.”