Knockhill Celebrates a Memorable 50th Year

In 2024, Knockhill race circuit marked its memorable 50th year in style, hosting a series of celebrations and impressive circuit events with strong local community engagement. The icing on the cake was the notable achievement of winning the MSUK award for sustainability for 2024.

Looking ahead to an exciting 2025 season, the circuit enters a second year of collaboration with Carbon Positive Motorsport, placing even more focus on sustainability by extending its club events that work with Carbon Offsetting and extending its environmental roadmap with the clear goal of becoming carbon neutral by 2035.

We looked back at a memorable year for the circuit with Knockhill Director of Events, Stuart Gray, and asked him about the plans they have for the 2025 season, as the circuit continues to celebrate its 50th year of sporting excellence.

Stuart Gray – Knockhill’s director of events and chairman of the Knockhill Motorsport Club

Q&A with Stuart Gray, Knockhill Racing Circuit's Director of Events

CPM: Looking back on the 50th anniversary year at Knockhill – what were your season highlights on the circuit?

SG: We are midway through our 50th anniversary year as the circuit opened in September 1974 and we celebrated with a bike race meeting, 50 years to the day since the opening ceremony. We are marking 50 years of car racing in May and similarly for rally sport in September, rounding off our special year of events. To that end, there is still so much to happen but the bike meeting was special as we had over 65 Scottish champions back at Knockhill, a couple who won their first in 1974, and one who won his first in 2024!

CPM: One notable feature of Knockhill is the diversity of events you host at the circuit and community engagement – how important is that to you for the circuits long term success?

SG: Both the diversity of events and community engagement are a crucial part of Knockhill’s business strategy. The sport is diverse with two- and four-wheel sport, on track and off-road, so as Scotland’s National Motorsport Centre, it is important to look after all sectors of the sport. In addition, the local community is vital to us, and we do all we can to work in harmony with them and plan our event and timings accordingly to minimise our impact on them.

Carbon Positive Motorsport ambassador Ashleigh Morris competing on the Knockhill Stages

CPM: Last year there was a book published celebrating 50 years of the circuit, over the years what have been some of the key highlights of 50 years of competition at the circuit and the people involved in building up Knockhill to what it is today?

SG: The 50 years has gone in a flash as the venue and sport has evolved hand in hand. Having opened in 1974, the first decade was a struggle with bikes being the main activity as Ingliston was Scotland’s premier track in the 80’s. But it was the arrival of the British Touring Cars that started the transformation of the venue and allow significant investments to me made. The British Superbikes added to the national status and it’s international awareness and reputation.

CPM: It’s a great reflection of your leading commitment to sustainability to have won a MSUK award for sustainability, what are your long-term plans to build on your success?

SG: We have been engaged in sustainability projects for over a decade and will continue to do more to keep our motorsport venue relevant and in demand within an ever-changing environmental landscape. With investment in our on-site energy production, reducing avoidable emissions and off-setting un-avoidable emissions, we aim to be carbon neutral by 2035.

The Loch Ness project that is used as part of the carbon offsetting package for Knockhill.

CPM: You have a roadmap with Carbon Positive Motorsport with the ambition to reduce and offset all circuit emissions over time, what are the next steps for the season ahead?

SG: A second racing championship, the Scottish ModSports, will be 200% off-set with all the championships off-set by 2026. The return of the McRae Rally Challenge in September is set to be one of the highest profile single-venue events in Europe this year and was previously 100% off-set working with Carbon Positive Motorsport. We want to investigate options to make this year’s event a show-case “green themed” event looking at every aspect of the emissions by everyone on site, including competitors, officials, spectators and contractors.

In 2024 Knockhill introduced Carbon Offsetting to its Scottish Legends championship races.

CPM: Looking ahead to the 2025 season – what can we expect in the year ahead?

SG: We are all eagerly looking forward to 2025 as it continues the 50th anniversary celebrations with a quality line-up of events and high-profile visitors to the venue. It promises to be a classic season of racing and a real treat for all involved.

Check out the exciting events planned for Knockhill

Creating a Positive Legacy of Environmental Benefits

At Carbon Positive Motorsport, we provide practical and immediate carbon offsetting solutions which allow events, teams and competitors to make motorsport not only sustainable, but also a positive contributor to the environment.

The work of Knockhill Racing Circuit shows how motorsport can maintain its appeal while addressing its environmental responsibilities. These examples highlight the potential for the sport to continue thriving in a way that supports a sustainable future.

If you are interested in learning how Carbon Positive Motorsport can help your organisation, visit www.carbonpositivemotorsport.com