Niall Mackenzie is to return to racing action this June, as he races in the 50th Anniversary SuperPrix which is part of the support programme for the Knockhill round of the British Superbike Championship this June.
With races taking place on two days of the race weekend, the 50th Anniversary SuperPrix is said to "relive the era of the 70s and 80s with guest riders on very special bikes". One for the rose-tinted spectacle wearers among us, the SuperPrix will feature a grid packed with racers using 20 or more Yamaha TZ 250s, 350s and 750s, and they’ll be racing for the Bill Simpson Trophy.
Speaking about the chance to race on his home track, Mackenzie said:
“I won my first ever race here at Knockhill, my second ever race I got took out … but that was 43 years ago - It’s amazing, how time flies. I’ve ridden around this track every year since 1981 till today and will continue to do so. I don’t know how serious I’ll be about trying to win [the 50th Anniversary SuperPrix] but I’ll be there on an Alan Duffus TZ750, a bike I’ve never raced before and I am so looking forward to being on that bike.”
The full entry list for the 50th Anniversary SuperPrix is yet to be announced, although with a raft of historically important two-stroke racing machines waiting in the wings, Mr Mackenzie might not be the only name from racing’s yesteryear looking to take part.
Thanks to his close links to the venue in Fife, Mackenzie is now the President of the Knockhill Motorsports Club and was recently given the honour of having the main drive into the venue named after him.
You can check out Niall’s motorcycle trackday guide to the Knockhill circuit here.