THIS WILL be the longest but fastest season of motorsport ever at Knockhill.

Once again, there will be a packed programme of championships—including the return of the British Touring Cars and British Superbikes—crammed into the season from now until December.

However, the frantic pace will be even faster at the Fife track with lap times set to tumble.

The reason is that the winter has seen what has been the biggest single investment of around £400,000 spent on a complete resurfacing of the 1.3-mile circuit and pit lane, plus significant widening of the track.

Circuit owner Derek Butcher said that the circuit has been in use more than ever over the last few years—not only for race meetings but also because of the rising popularity of driving experiences for motorsport fans.

All this had taken its toll on the track which has been resurfaced with the same tarmac as has proved successful at other British tracks including the home of the British Grand Prix, Silverstone.

Scottish racing veteran and Knockhill’s operations manager Ian Forrest said of the changes on one stretch, “Instead of the two or three abreast you normally see there will be room for about four or five abreast.

“There will be a significant increase in the speed and in the dry we may see the first 100-mph lap at Knockhill.”

St Andrews’ racer Andrew Kirkaldy, said that the circuit was significantly faster now.

Unfortunately, reigning British GT champion Andrew will not get to try out the new improved Knockhill in the Ferrari 430 unveiled yesterday.

He will be piloting it along with fellow champ Nathan Kinch around the world as the Scuderia Ecosse team enters the 2006 FIA GT Championship but the only British round will take place at Silverstone.

Highlights on the track will include the British Superbikes on July 15 and 16 and the British Touring Car Championships on September 2 and 3.

Off the racing line will be a quartet of fairs.

Although only in its third year, the Scottish Motorfair on May 13 and 14 has again grown, with activities for all the family—new this year will be customised trucks and the army will bring two Challenger tanks.

June 25 will see the second interactive Bikefair complete with a full day of Scottish championship bike racing.

And brand new will be the Classic Speedfair on July 23 which will celebrate Scots who dominated motorsport.

“It’s not a race meeting, there will only be five races. It is to celebrate those achievements and classic cars which will be on parade,” said circuit manager Stuart Gray.

A Speedfair is also planned over the summer.