Team Shredded Wheat Racing with DUO heads across the border looking to cement its Independent Championship advantage this coming weekend, as the Dunlop MSA British Touring Car Championship arrives in Scotland for its annual visit to Knockhill. A monumental effort by the Motorbase-run squad to build a new Focus ST in time for the seventh meeting of the season sees the reigning Independent Teams’ champions back up and running with a three car assault on the championship. As announced earlier this week, local Fife-based driver Rory Butcher joins Mat Jackson and Martin Depper in the #6 Ford, making his BTCC debut at his home circuit.

Two Independent race wins for Jackson last time out at Snetterton helped the Wrotham-based outfit extend its lead at the top of the Independent Teams standings. The 36-year-old has excellent form on the tight and twisty Fife track, and he’ll be looking to add to his winning tally and close in on the Indy Drivers’ championship during Sunday’s three races.

“Knockhill as a circuit couldn’t be much more different from where we were last time at Snetterton;” commented Team Manager Oly Collins. “We strengthened our lead in the Independent Teams’ title last time out and the plan is to further extend that lead, but we’re up against some serious competition.

“We’ve had pretty good performances at our last two race meetings and we’re hoping that Knockhill will prove to be no different. Five podiums from the last 6 races is a decent set of results by anyone’s standards.”

Team-mate Depper continues to progress as he settles into his challenger. Narrowly missing out on a points finish in his last appearance, the espares-backed driver is eager to break into the top ten once more as the championship approaches the business end of the season.

Scotsman Butcher takes up the mantle in the third Motorbase-run car, driving the newly-completed Focus ST in anger for the first time on the 1.27 mile circuit. A new name on the BTCC grid, the 30-year-old comes from a successful sports car and GT racing background and is determined to make his mark in the touring car world.

“Knockhill is an outstanding circuit and always provides a fantastic race for the neutral;” added Collins. “We also welcome Rory to the BTCC Team this weekend, which we hope will provide us with some additional local knowledge.

“We worked with Rory on the GT side in the past and can’t wait to work with him again. He’s a hugely talented driver and has the perfect character to work alongside Mat and Martin in our BTCC campaign for the rest of the season. Keep an eye on him, as he won’t take long at all to get to grips with the BTCC.”