AmD Tuning’s Rory Butcher is hoping for a home boost in this weekend’s British Touring Car Championship races at Knockhill, where the Honda driver will be seeking to claw back some of the 61-point deficit to the top of the standings.
Butcher will take on his local circuit, owned by his father Derek, for the third year in a row in the BTCC when he hits the track this weekend, with the 32-year-old being in a better position heading into the event than ever before.
Having already taken two wins so far this year, Butcher finds himself in fifth overall in the drivers’ championship standings, 61 behind series leader Colin Turkington.
Having previously tackled the Fife circuit in Ford and MG machinery, Butcher will compete this time in an FK2 Honda Civic, with the Japanese marque having a much better track record – Honda cars have won five times in Scotland since the introduction of the NGTC regulations in 2012.
That form, combined with a strong season to-date for Butcher, means he is in a confident mood heading into the weekend, aware of the need to avoid taking his eye off the prize.
“This will be the third time I’ve raced at home in the BTCC, but the first time where I have really had the package underneath me to fight towards the front of the grid,” said Butcher.
“I know more than anyone that Knockhill is a very quirky circuit where you need a car that is working well underneath you.
“History says that we’ll have that with the Honda, but we can’t be complacent and know that we need to work hard on Saturday to qualify well and try to set ourselves up for a strong race day.
“Hopefully the support of the home fans will also help push me on to some good results.”
Butcher also offered his support to team-mate Sam Tordoff, who has stepped back from the driving seat of the sister car after suffering the tragic loss of his newborn son Arlo last week.
“Whilst there is the excitement that comes from my home event, I’ve been left deeply saddened by the news from Sam and Georgina in recent days.
“As a team, we are all very close and what has happened puts everything into perspective. This weekend, both Mike and I will be racing for them, and will be giving our all to do them proud.”
AmD Team Principal Shaun Hollamby added that the entire team will be thinking of Tordoff and his wife this weekend, as Butcher seeks to keep his title tilt going with support from stand-in racer Mike Bushell, who is deputising for Tordoff.
“It goes without saying that our thoughts going into this weekend are very much with Sam, his wife Georgina, and the whole Tordoff family following their tragic news,” said Hollamby.
“There is nothing that is more important than family, and we will be racing this weekend in Arlo’s memory. Our heads are focused on the job at hand, but our hearts will very much be with Sam and his family.
“As Rory’s home event, this is a big weekend for the team and we’re expecting to get a lot of support from the local fans.
“Hopefully that support can help Rory to secure some strong results, and we’re sure that Mike will also do a good job in what are difficult circumstances for him to make his return to the series.”