Last week, we sent Knockhill commentator Duncan Vincent along to meet up with double BTCC Champion, John Cleland in his home-town of Galashiels. Cleland, who has operated a Volvo and latterly a Jaguar dealership in the quaint Scottish town throughout his entire BTCC career, spent some time talking about the Super Touring era ahead of the iconic series’ return to Knockhill this weekend – Saturday 10th & Sunday 11th September – for the David Leslie Super Touring Car Festival, supported by EventScotland and Fife Council.
Cleland, never one to mince his words, chats to Duncan about this weekend, the cars he has in his garage and of course we touch upon one of the most talked about moments in British Touring Car history – that clash back in 1992 between Harvey, Soper and Cleland.
Cleland, who only returned to Super Touring Car racing a couple of years ago after his son, Jamie – now Cleland’s chief engineer – spotted the car on Facebook.
“Jamie spotted my old car on Facebook – it’s the 1997, chassis number one, Triple Eight car, ironically first raced at Knockhill in August 97 – so we went ahead and bought it.
“And, we’ve actually won more races since buying it back than when we raced it back in the day,” said Cleland.
Cleland will once again race the Vectra at Knockhill this weekend – after solving a misfire issue that hampered his Gold Cup outing at Oulton Park a few weeks back. He’ll line up on the grid for the two David Leslie Super Touring Car Championship feature races against iconic cars from the past as well as a few iconic drivers too.
“Everyone that sees these Super Touring Cars, love them. Most people that watch them now, were kids at the time and just fondly remember the whole era and all the drivers; the Frank Bielas, Gabriele Tarquinis, Will Hoys and the John Clelands, and they are great cars to drive, they sound spectacular and I think they will be fabulous around Knockhill.”
Quizzed on the return of Gabriele Tarquini to the track, were the WTCC ace will compete in a former David Leslie Honda Accord, Cleland had this to say:
“The last time I locked horns with Gabriele was when I was World Touring Car Driving Standards Advisor and I flicked him on the grid at Monza because he punted somebody in qualifying; I think we fined him and gave him a grid penalty as well. He absolutely went off on some Italian rant until I showed him the video evidence and then he realized he had punted this guy off.
“So, I’m to sure how that meeting is going to go at Knockhill,” commented the double British Touring Car Champion.
So, as well as showcasing some of the best-loved Touring Cars from the 70s, 80s and 90s, we may even witness a few fierce rivalries from the past rear their heads once-again at Knockhill this weekend.
Make sure you are here, to see first-hand how John Cleland and Gabriele Tarquini pit their wits against the turns and undulations of Knockhill – not to mention some beautiful Super Touring Cars from the likes of Nissan, Honda, Vauxhall, Ford, Audi and more.
Tickets for the event are available online now – subject to pre-booking discounts. Alternatively, tickets will be available at the gate throughout the weekend. Free on-site weekend camping is also available – pre-booking is preferred, and you can also enjoy a Super Touring Car Championship grid walk on Sunday 11th September (only) for an additional £5 – limited numbers and Gold Season pass holders will be granted free access.
