LOCAL RACE ace Gordon Shedden may be accused of bias, but he agrees with the touring car boss when it comes to picking his top circuit.

Earlier this week, BTCC series director Alan Gow said Knockhill ranks among the best on the championship calendar.

Now Gordon, who when not at the wheel of his Team Halfords Honda is the Fife track’s business development manager, has added his endorsement—and called for more rounds north of the border.

Gordon, the only Scot on the touring cars starting grid this weekend, said, “It’s the biggest motor racing event to take place in Scotland. There are so many touring car fans up here and the racing in 2007 has been fantastically close—it’s great Scotland has a chance to stage one of the BTCC’s 10 meetings.

“In fact, it would be great to have more rounds as the spectators almost become part of the racing as they get so close to what happens on the track.

“From inside the car, on the warm-up and slow-down laps, you can sense the atmosphere off the spectator banks and that’s a real buzz for any driver.

“It’s the only chance of the year most people in Scotland have to see the BTCC. They shouldn’t miss out because it’s a great experience. I hope they’ll be cheering for me.”

Gordon, in his second BTCC season, missed a win in front of his home crowd last year but this year has notched up three wins, two more than team-mate and reigning champ Matt Neal, and two pole positions.

“I could probably understand if a few other drivers want me out of the way a bit because being at home gives you a strong feeling,” added Gordon.

“Of course I’d love to win at Knockhill. Hopefully it’s going to happen and hopefully it’ll be this time.

“To win in front of the home crowd, when all the other race meetings are outside Scotland, and to give the crowd something to get excited about would be awesome.”

He arrives at Knockhill lying third in the championship behind leader Jason Plato and Italian star Fabrizio Giovanardi. Although mathematically the Fifer can still win the championship, he knows his chances of doing so are slim.

Gordon (28) said, “I need Jason and Fabrizio to go on holiday for a couple of months —or they don’t make it through passport control when they arrive in Scotland.”

Also at Knockhill this weekend is racing legend John Surtees, supporting his son Henry (16), who is competing in the single-seater Formula BMW UK championships.

The Carlin Motorsport racer is starting out in the same sport as his illustrious father, who became the only man to win world championships on two and four wheels.

* Fans will truly see the long and the short of it this weekend. Luckily, USA Legend driver Andrew Donald’s diminutive Ford Sedan (No 44) isn’t racing the mighty Pontiac stretch limo of Jack Pritchard, of Dalkeith.

Andrew said, “The Pontiac would probably be at the finish line half a lap before me with its length advantage.”