More than 10,000 people are expected to descend on Fife’s Knockhill circuit this weekend for the British Superbike Championship meeting and the only female rider is far from overawed.
Jenny Tinmouth has been blazing a trail in what has been viewed as a male-dominated sport in recent years and will take part in this weekend’s Fife meeting determined to finish as high up the standings as possible.
And while the 34-year-old pioneer from Ellsmere Port expects a lot of the spotlight to be on her at this week’s meeting, Tinmouth doesn’t expect any special treatment.
“I’m used to it,” she told Courier Sport. “Everyone accepts you and you don’t get treated any differently.
“I loved watching motorsport on telly so I’ve wanted to do it from a young age. I had a bike when I was 17 then started racing at 21 and progressed through club level to Superbikes.”
In 2010, Tinmouth made history when she became the fastest female to lap the Isle of Man TT and in 2011 she became the first woman to compete in the British Superbike Championship.
And Knockhill has been a happy hunting ground for her thus far, having had a top-10 finish at the circuit when she raced in the 125cc championship.
She added: “It’s a brilliant track so I’m really looking forward to it. I do like the nature of the track so I’m hoping for a good result.”
Organisers have promised plenty of entertainment at Knockhill, with teams expected to start arriving on Wednesday as they set up their pit garages in readiness for testing on Friday. Qualifying is on Saturday ahead of the main event day on Sunday.
As well as the main Superbikes race boasting the sport’s star names, the bill also includes Supersport with Scottish stars Taylor Mackenzie and Stuart Easton, races for the Motostar British Championship, Superstock 1000/600s and the Eastern Airways British Sidecar Championship, while the Knockhill Motor Sports Club Superstock 600 will make a guest appearance.
This year’s event has been officially named the ‘Steve Hislop Round’ in memory of one of Scotland’s favourite racers with a special Tribute Room being set up.
Items from the Hawick Museum with a selection of trophies, racing leathers, helmets and other historic items belonging to the Scot, who was killed in a helicopter crash 10 years ago, will be on display.