Adam aims for Cupra glory on Scottish home soil

Reigning SEAT Cupra Champion Jonathan Adam (Total Control Racing) returns to his home circuit of Knockhill in fierce form as he looks to erode Robert Lawson's (Bardon/JHR) points advantage at the top of the table.

Rookie SEAT Leon Cupra driver Lawson has been hugely consistent this season and stretched out a commanding lead early on, but Adam, from Kirkcaldy, has found some serious pace since Thruxton where he completed a double victory - a feat he replicated last time out at Oulton Park. Adam will be confident of adding another good haul of points to his tally at Scotland's National Motorsport Centre, the venue where he clinched the title last year. Lawson isn't the sort of driver to rest on his laurels though; he'll be well aware of Adam's potency here and will realise that a win on the Scottish track will be a huge blow to his challenger.

Don't think it'll be just a two-horse race though. Carl Breeze (Blue Chip/Welch Motorsport) won a round in Scotland last year and the Norfolk racer could still claim the crown. Despite dropping down the standings after Oulton Park, both Breeze and his nearest rival Martin Byford (AB Glass/Z Speed Racing) know they have the ability to win races and will be eager to prove that after some recent frustrations. The undulating twists of Knockhill may prove to be a great leveller.

In fact, the 2008 SEAT Cupra Championship grid is packed with drivers who believe they can win races such as Andrew Herron (Brian Herron Plant/JHR) and Daniel Rowbottom (DRM M- sport), but with time running out this year they'll feel that time is running out to prove it. Throw into the mix the proven talent of Daniel Welch (Marriott/Welch Motorsport) and the improving competitiveness of drivers like Freddy Nordström (Plumbertraining.com/Advent Motorsport), Jamie Ackers (Total Control Racing), James Appleby (Hardinge Machine Tools) and Jeremy Gumbley (Millionpixeldriver.com/Welch Motorsport) and the outcome of Rounds 15 and 16 isfar from certain.

Also hoping to impress in front of his home crowd will be Scottish chicken producer Steve Mitchell from Letham near Forfar, who'll be giving his JP Motorsport Leon Cupra its first run at Knockhill in its striking new colour scheme.

SEAT Sport UK, in conjunction with Dunlop, will give each SEAT Cupra Championship competitor six complimentary new Dunlop control tyres to use at Knockhill, which equates to an overall saving of £13,500 across the Championship. Like at every race meeting, £8,360 in prize money will be on offer, with £600 going to the winner of each race and all finishers picking up cash rewards.

Robert Lawson: "Jonathan Adam will be very strong at the next race meeting, but the aim of our game is to win races and Knockhill will be no different. We're doing very well this season, but we still haven't quite found that sweet spot yet with the car."

Jonathan Adam: "After Oulton Park, Knockhill has become a more important weekend for us. It's all about not over-driving, but I'm feeling confident."

Martin Byford: "Oulton was a step forward from Snetterton; I think we found a step forward with the car and a step forward with myself. But we need another step forward to be competitive at Knockhill."

Daniel Rowbottom: "I haven't been to Knockhill before…on the PlayStation though it looks awesome. I've been told it's very technical so will be a good challenge."

Carl Breeze: "I'm looking forward to it. I beat Jonny [Adam] there last year in the second race which was a good feeling. I enjoy the circuit, it's got good characteristics with lots of blind
corners. It's really exciting. It will be important to qualify in the front two rows though as its quite narrow round there so very few places to overtake."

After two 45 minute test sessions on Friday 15th August (starting at 13.50 and 15.30), qualifying for Rounds 15 and 16 of the SEAT Cupra Championship will take place the following day, with two 20 minute sessions starting at 11.40 and 15.25. Both races take place on Sunday 17th August, with a pair of 22 lap races around the undulating and spectacular Knockhill circuit starting at 10.20 and 15.10.