Knockhill's blast to the past for 50th birthday celebrations

The opening ceremony on September 22nd 1974 featuring Alastair King on board an AJS 500 with the very bike coming to Knockhill 50 years later to recreate the opening ceremony. Image: Jim Moir.

Knockhill racing circuit is turning 50 this year.

The track near Dunfermline has been entertaining the public through motor racing since September 22, 1974.

And it's marking the occasion with a parade of Scottish champions from the past five decades at a special rewind event later this month.

Director of events Stuart Gray said: "This is going to be a memorable weekend. 50 years of Scottish bikesport will be celebrated both on and off track and we cannot wait to share our history with fans who have been part of our journey since 1974."

When it opened, Knockhill became the country's first purpose built, full time motor racing circuit.

But it had a tough start.

In its first 10 years, multiple operators failed to get it off the ground.

When ownership moved from Tom Kinnaird to Derek Butcher, who raced at the opening meeting, four decades of investment followed to turn it into the circuit known today.

It has welcomed stars such as TT legend John McGuinness, rising star Rory Skinner, World Endurance champion Brian Morrison as well as champions who all started at Knockhill to go on and win Scottish, British, European, TT and even feature on world championship stages. 

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