Pre-weekend favourites Nikki Coates and Barry Burrell took a win apiece in today’s two BMW F 900 R Cup Heats.
The first time Knockhill has hosted the series, yesterday’s wet weather meant it was all new for the pack today as they raced in the dry.
Coates, who had topped the Qualifying timesheets yesterday, started from pole ahead of Smith twins Christian and Kieran and got a good start to lead off the line.
From here he was never challenged and even a little moment on Lap Five didn’t make a difference as he cleared off into the sunset to take the win by more than four seconds.
Christian Smith was second ahead of twin brother Kieran, with Bobby Varey fourth and Jack Tynan fifth.
In Heat Two, Burrell took charge after hitting the front on Lap One with a move on polesitter, local favourite Kenny Macleod but a crash on the fifth lap brought out the red flag and a restart was called over five laps.
Burrell – having clocked a new lap record of 53.010s in the first part, this time started from pole and flew off the line, storming to the win by 2.346 over Josh Corner.
Macleod crossed the line third with James Cleary fourth and Ben McLuskey fifth.
Burrell was then the name pulled from the Ball Draw in pole and will lead the grid in tomorrow’s Main Event, with Kieran Smith second and Corner third.
Heat One result:
1. Nikki Coates (LDC BMW by Frimley Pits Racing)
2. Christian Smith (SCH Motoprep by Bathams) +4.036s
3. Kieran Smith (GP Titan Tech by Bathams) +6.048s
4. Bobby Varey (Bobby Varey Racing) +6.444s
5. Jack Tynan (ROKiT Rookies) +6.712s
Heat Two result:
1. Barry Burrell (Halliwell Jones)
2. Josh Corner (Chasin the Racing Podcast) +2.346s
3. Kenny Macleod (True Heroes Racing) +2.503s
4. James Cleary (EB Critical Motorsport) +11.704s
5. Ben McLuskey (WM Racing/McLuskey Racing) +11.896s