Knockhill. Tucked away in the rolling Scottish hills, it’s a circuit that demands everything from a driver — sharp reactions, brave overtakes, and a willingness to throw the car over the kerbs in search of every last tenth of a second.
For Tom Chilton — Birch Gatwick’s Commercial Director and a seasoned BTCC campaigner — Knockhill isn’t just another date on the calendar. It’s a place that’s given him great memories, including a podium finish last year, and a track that delivers drama in every lap.
“Last year I finished third on the podium here,” Tom recalls. “The Team Vertu Hyundai i30N is usually good at Croft, and it’s also good at Knockhill, so I’m quite confident going in.
“I think we’ve got a fantastic car this year. The only challenge is that we’ve got the lowest boost level of anyone on the grid. When you’ve got steep hills and a bit of altitude, the car can feel a little asthmatic. But the chassis is strong, and I can brake really late, so we should still be in the mix for a top ten — and hopefully another podium.”
.jpg)
Racing on the edge
Knockhill’s compact 1.3-mile layout is famous for close racing. There’s barely a moment to catch your breath — it’s all corners, elevation changes and kerb-hopping. For drivers, it’s exhilarating and exhausting in equal measure.
“The racing’s always wild,” says Tom. “At Croft I was on two wheels taking people at the hairpin, and it’s the same at Knockhill. I love it. You’re playing the throttle while you’re in the air. It’s whatever’s fastest — even if it means the car’s skipping across the kerbs. These days the kerbs are flatter, but they’ve added these angry hidden ‘sausage’ kerbs. You’ve got to hit them just right — nail the sausage — to get the fastest line without unsettling the car. If you get it wrong, you can spear off or lose all your traction.”
With the current generation of BTCC cars delivering over 400hp including the TOCA Boost, the track feels even quicker than in the past.
“It’s tight, twisty, and it feels fast because the cars have so much power now,” Tom adds. “It’s one of those circuits that rewards commitment — you have to throw yourself at it.”
.jpg)
A slice of Scottish culture
Knockhill weekends have their own unique atmosphere. The weather can change in minutes, the crowd is vocal, and there’s a distinctive Scottish flavour to the whole event — sometimes literally.
“A couple of fans came all the way from Scotland to Croft for the last event and brought me a box of twelve teacakes,” Tom laughs. “They’re marshmallow in the middle, thin chocolate outside, and apparently the trick is to eat it in one go. My mechanics ended up with the whole lot as thanks for rebuilding the car.”
Food and drink are never far from the conversation in Scotland. “I’ve eaten haggis up there, but never seen one running around a hill,” Tom muses.
“Deep-fried Mars bars, whisky — nothing wrong with that — and there’s something called tablet, which is like fudge but even sweeter. I haven’t tried it yet, but I’m told it’s incredible if you’ve got a sweet tooth. I’ll have to hunt some down this weekend.” Iron Bru, though? “Not really my drink,” he admits.
.jpg)
Podium focus
Despite the fun off-track, Tom’s focus remains on delivering results. Knockhill’s short lap means that qualifying is often frantic, with the entire grid jostling for space. Track position counts for a lot in the races, and a strong start to the weekend can set the tone for everything that follows.
“We know our car’s great in the corners,” says Tom. “We just need to make the most of it and keep pushing. If everything comes together, there’s no reason we can’t be back on that podium.”
From the BTCC to Birch
While Tom’s weekends might be all about pushing to the limit, back at Birch Gatwick the approach is about protecting and preserving. Just as a BTCC race car is prepped, maintained and kept in optimum condition between events, your own cherished vehicle, fleet or collection deserves the same treatment.
Birch Gatwick offers secure, climate-monitored storage for everything from supercars to classic saloons, ensuring they’re kept clean, safe and ready to enjoy. For customers who also compete — whether it’s in historic racing, track days or rallying — that same meticulous care means the car is always ready for the next event.
“Preparation and preservation are key,” Tom says. “In racing, you can’t win without these. It’s the same with road cars. If you keep them in the right environment, you get the best performance and preserve their value.”
As Tom heads to Knockhill, aiming to balance bravery with precision over every kerb and corner, the principles are the same — look after your car, and it will look after you.
Follow Tom’s progress in the BTCC at Knockhill this weekend — and when it’s your turn behind the wheel, give your car the Birch Gatwick treatment. Because the right home between outings can be the difference between a great drive and a disappointing one.
WATCH TOM TALK ABOUT HIS SEASON SO FAR AND WHAT'S GOING ON AT BIRCH
.jpg)
.jpg)
.jpg)
.jpg)
.jpeg)
