He was a familiar face at the track as a little toddler and continues to live just half an hour away.
For Rory Skinner, Knockhill feels very much like home.
And this weekend he heads for the much-loved venue for round four of the Bennetts British Superbike Championship.
“I’ve been at Knockhill since I was six months old when my dad was racing,” smiled Skinner, who is from Perth.
“It really is a home round for me. It’s close to the heart and is half an hour from the house.
“There is a lot of long-term staff at Knockhill and they have seen me grow up.
“That was from a tiny toddler before I was even racing bikes to what I’m doing now.
“It’s always really nice just to be there and they do look after me - I can’t lie about that! I can’t thank them enough.
“Jillian Shedden and Derek Butcher have really looked after me through the years.”
There will, of course, be a few extra eyes on Skinner this weekend and he is certainly aware of that.
But he realises it is important to park the excitement of returning to a track that he knows like the back of his hand.
“It was a shame last year with the reduced crowds due to Covid, but this year should be a full capacity,” Skinner said.
“I’ve had a good start to the season and hopefully that brings out some more fans.
“It will just be mega to race in front of a lot of family, friends and locals.
“There is a fair bit of pressure from the outside, not from my team or my family.
“Everyone I see is saying they have me down for a win this weekend. That would be great.
“But the BSB is so tough and it’s not fair to say I’ll do this or that. The pace this year has been incredible at every track.
“I feel good on the bike, with the team and with myself. I’ll definitely be giving it my best shot.
“It’s another round of the championship and I need to put aside that it’s the home round. I need to treat this like any other race meet and just enjoy it.”
Skinner sits fifth in the overall championship ahead of Knockhill following outings at Silverstone, Oulton Park and Donington Park.
He said: “My realistic target at the start of the season was to be a top six contender week in, week out.
“There have been a couple of tough races and some good races.
“But I’m really happy with how it’s gone so far and I’m ready to continue that at Knockhill.”
