THE first event that spectators will be allowed access to at Knockhill Racing Circuit will take place next weekend.

A maximum of 200 people will be able to attend the first SMRC (Scottish Motor Racing Club) meeting of the year on September 12 after the venue was given the go-ahead by the Scottish Government and sportscotland.

Track bosses had hoped that the annual visit of the Kwik Fit British Touring Car Championship – which took place on Saturday and Sunday – would be approved as a test event in relation to crowds attending.

As Press Sport reported last week, they had hoped that be given the green light to utilise 20 per cent of capacity of their 220-acre site – which is approximately 4,000 people – but they were limited to around one per cent.

That was the limit set on a test event that did go ahead – an Edinburgh versus Glasgow Warriors rugby match at Murrayfield last Friday evening – and circuit bosses decided to run the BTCC behind closed doors due to the number of ticket holders they have.

However, Knockhill's director of events, Stuart Gray, said they are ready to welcome back spectators and are hopeful that they will be allowed to increase numbers in the weeks ahead.

"Going forward, the 200 limit has been set and the first event that will be applicable to will be our first SMRC car meeting on September 12," he explained.

"With the size of the venue, to have 200 spectators is very straightforward to cope with. We'll just sell tickets, and we've obviously got our season pass holders also; the first 200 that have put their hand up and want to come, that will be it. It's all very small-scale compared to what we're used to.

"Thankfully, it's only one of the sources of income that we've got. Our driving experiences can start again, which is a bonus, and we sell a lot all year round and have been. We've got other events all the way through to November so hopefully we will be allowed crowds into them in bigger numbers than 200."

When asked about the support they've had from the public, Stuart described it as "outstanding", and expressed his hope that, when more people are admitted, fans starved of live action for so long because of the Coronavirus pandemic will turn out in even bigger numbers.

"That's certainly been the pattern down south; the crowds have been far bigger than normal because they've been starved of the sport," he continued.

"Crowds have returned to race meetings for about a month now down south, and they have had far bigger crowds than they would normally get because of that.

"The feedback and support, and emails and comments online, have been outstanding in terms of the eagerness for people to come back. We've got a fantastic following and fanbase, and the uniqueness of the circuit, and spectating at the circuit, is unchanged.

"People are keen to come back for their fun, whether that's on track or off track spectating. They'll be allowed back when we're allowed to have them back.

"We know the interest is there, that's for sure."

In relation to the limit set on spectators at Knockhill, a Scottish Government spokesperson said: "The planned match at Murrayfield is one of a small number of pilot events to examine the feasibility of having spectators in larger stadiums and planning has been underway for a number of months to allow this to happen.

"Knockhill is not a test event but is able to proceed following the easing of restrictions on some outdoor events announced by the Scottish Government on 20 August. For such events there is currently a limit of 200 people."

For a calendar of events coming up at Knockhill, visit www.knockhill.com.