Knockhill are delighted to confirm that former BTCC and WTCC champion, Gabriele Tarquini, will join them for their David Leslie Super Touring Festival event, supported by EventScotland and Fife Council.
It’s a terrific coup for Knockhill Circuit and the Super Touring Car Championship to entice the popular Italian 
back to the UK for not only an appearance, but into a race car for two Super Touring Trophy races set to take place over the weekend of 10/11th September.
Tarquini will pilot the 1996 Honda Accord, which David Leslie drove to secure Honda’s first win in the British Touring Car Championship at Silverstone Circuit. It’s a fitting combination given that this event will also dovetail as a David Leslie Tribute event.
Not only will the best Formula Ford racers in the country vie for the David Leslie Trophy, but the Super Touring drivers will also compete for two newly commissioned David Leslie Trophies, with a trophy going to the winner of each race per day.
Additionally, members of the Leslie family will also be on hand as guests of honour to present the awards on the day.
Tarquini, who is currently competing in the World Touring Car Championship in a factory-backed Lada Vesta, is a Touring Car legend. Many will remember his infamous roll at Knockhill where he destroyed his Alfa Romeo 155 TS Touring Car after a collision with 1992 BTCC champion and current ITV Sport BTCC presenter Tim Harvey, from way back in 1994. It’s probably one of the most iconic moments in British Touring Car 
Championship history.
Of the five seasons Tarquini spent in the British Touring Car Championship, before moving onto the European and World stage, his record around Knockhill was a mixed bag, completing six out of ten races, scoring one win, three podiums and three top ten finishes.
The last time Tarquini raced around Knockhill in the BTCC was back in 2000 where he took his only BTCC victory at the track; a feat he will be eager to repeat when he returns to Scotland early next month.
Knockhill Events Director, Stuart Gray commented: “I’m absolutely delighted that Gabriele will be joining us for the event, and not only that, to have him in a race car is just incredible. As well as some of the star cars from the past, we now have a number of star drivers too including Tarquini, John Cleland and Frank Biela. It’s all shaping up to be an amazing weekend of racing, one which I can’t wait to see for myself.”
Paul Bush OBE, VisitScotland’s Director of Events, said: “We are delighted to support the Super Touring Car Championship through EventScotland’s National Funding Programme and look forward to another magnificent weekend of action at Knockhill. Attracting some of motorsport’s biggest names, such as Gabriele Tarquini, we are confident racing fans of all ages will turn out to witness all of the high-octane action unfold.”
Tickets for the event can be booked online now via the Knockhill website (www.knockhill.com) with all pre-booked tickets subject to advanced discounts. Tickets will also be available at the venue throughout the weekend. However, for those wishing to take advantage of the FREE camping that is available over the weekend, pre-booking is advised.
See www.knockhill.com for further info and ticket pricing.
ENDS
Notes to editors
The Super Touring Car Championship will race twice over the weekend of 10/11th September – one race per day.
Aside from the Super Tourers there will be a full complement of Scottish Championship race action from Saloon, Sports, Classic and single seater racers.
Frank Biela – Five-times Le Mans 24 Hours winner and 1996 BTCC champion will be guest of honour. He’ll be doing parade laps and autograph sessions but won’t be racing on track.
John Cleland – The Scottish double BTCC champion will also be here competing on track with Tarquini and the other Super Touring Car drivers.
We’ll have up to 15 of the most iconic Super Touring cars on display at the event.
The David Leslie Tribute element will see a number of his iconic cars on display including his Super Touring Nissan Primera and his Le Mans Aston Martin C1.
There will also be a chance for spectators to enjoy a Super Touring Grid Walk (Sunday only) for an additional fee of £5.
On Saturday evening we’ll be hosting a Q & A forum in the Clubhouse with Tarquini, Cleland and Biela as special guests.
Free weekend camping is available on-site at Knockhill for all those fans who wish to make a weekend of it.
The event is supported by EventScotland and Fife Council
Tarquini head and shoulder picture credit: http://media.fiawtcc.com/. Super Touring Picture Credit – Jakob Ebrey
For further information, please contact Stuart Gray or Tracey Donald on 01383 723337.
