Dutch ace Thomas Hylkema is “really looking forward” to his first ever races at Knockhill this weekend as the Michelin Formula Renault UK Championship heads north of the border for Rounds 15 and 16 of the 2010 series.
After a four year absence, the series is returning to the tricky, undulating Knockhill circuit, with it sure to provide a stern test for 22 year old Hylkema and his Formula Renault rivals. Friday's pre-event test day will be his first chance to experience the home of Scottish motor sport, with its blind crests, intimidating SEAT curves and tight Real Radio Hairpin.
The Delft based driver currently lies eleventh in the championship standings after a mixed weekend last time out at Silverstone. He was running a season best fifth in the first of the weekends triple header, before being pushed down to fourteenth. After an eighth place finish in the second race, the Club Car, TORO and Geothex supported driver rounded off the weekend with a superb drive from thirteenth to sixth in Round 14.
Looking ahead to Knockhill, the Manor Competition driver said: “I'm really looking forward to the weekend at Knockhill, the track looks quite different to anything else I've experienced in terms of the height differences and the blind corners but I think it will suit me.”
“I definitely feel confident ahead of the weekend, last time at Silverstone we had good pace in the final race and had a good finish so I think we can be on for the top six again at Knockhill. We need to make sure qualifying will be good as, from what I've seen, I don't think the overtaking opportunities will be big – we'll see though!”
