With the Semi-Pro and Pro Classes settled respectively it was the top flight Super Pro’s turn to tackling the dips and curves that Knockhill had to offer.

Some of the Super Pro’s had driven Knockhill many times before, including Team Japspeed’s Paul Smith above. He jumped straight out on track and atacked Seat Curves at full chat.

Japspeed teammate Stephen ‘Baggsy’ Biagioni was looking at ease with the Subaru throughout practice. It’s interesting to watch as a driver gets to grips with a new chassis over a season and the improvements in Baggsy’s game is notable.

Scotdrift’s David Waterworth was absolutely flying in practice. The commute to the track more akin to popping down the road than the usual long haul to pretty much every other BDC event in the calendar for David, being a Scottish national.

Dan Moorhead was one of the Irish drivers who made the long journey over to Knockhill to compete in the Super Pro class.

Matt Carter was looking for his first win in the 2011 calendar, having finished second at every round so far this year! Nevertheless the consistent results meant Matt was going into the event in first place in the standings.

Mark Luney in the SATS Cosworth Supra was out to upset Matt’s game plan. Mark sat in second in the championship going up to Scotland. Could he throw the championship wide open going into Round 5 at SIlverstone?

Top 3 Qualifiers

1st. Simon Perry

2nd. Wayne Keeber

3rd. Mark Luney

Top 16 Battles

Japspeed team mates Paul Smith and Stephen ‘Baggsy’ Biagioni faced off first. Smith failed to score in the second battle so its Baggsy and the 1JZ Impreza into the Great 8.

Scotland vs Ireland up next with David Waterworth vs. Dan Moorhead. Despite being on fire all weekend, Waterworth fails to score in either lead or chase runs advancing Dan into the Top 8.

Next up Team Falken’s Matt Carter against Steve ‘Speed’ Moore. Matt takes the first run, Moore the second leading to a OMT. In the second set of battles Matt’s first run seals it and he goes onwards into the Great 8.

Super consistent Wayne Keeber vs.Competition Clutch driver Danny O’Brien were up next. O’Brien doesn’t score on the first run and Keeber goes into the next round.

Ashley Stevens was looking comfortable in his 1JZ S13. He went up against Wesley Keating who qualified so highly that he earned the chance to compete in the Super Pro Class. No points for Wesley in run one and a rough second run meant his day was over and Ashley Stevens would be moving onwards.

Championship contender Mark Luney in the SATS Cosworth Supra was up against Team Falken’s Alan Green. Alan tickles the gravel and Mark storms both runs with great speed and moves into the Final 8.

Team Japspeed’s Shane Lynch vs. Micheal Marshall up next. Michael again qualifying high enough to compete in Super Pro.

After the first run it was level pegging but Lynch sealed it in the second and bagged a place in the Final 8.

Top qualifier Simon Perry in the pink Team Skyline Owners R33 was up against Jody Fletcher in the Slide Motorsport S14a. Perry laid down a stunning first run but unfortunately span out in the second battle. Jody Fletcher was into the Great 8 knocking out last years 2nd place Super Pro championship man.

Top 8

First of the Top 8 battles was Stephen Biagioni vs. Dan Moorhead. After two very close battles a OMT was required – Moorhead spins out in the second battle and Baggsy goes into the Semi’s. The Japspeed Subaru is starting to emerge as a competitive force!

Two drivers no strangers to making it into the final stages of the Top 16 are Team Falken’s Matt Carter and Wayne Keeber. Matt Carter takes the advantage in both runs and with it a place in the Semi-Finals.

Ashley Stevens chases down the mighty Supra of Mark Luney asthey emerge over the crest of Seat Curves. Although Stevens put in the best second run the damage was already done following a spin in the first. Luney into the semi finals.

Team Japspeed’s Shane Lynch was paired with Jody Fletcher. A spin from Fletcher in the second battle and Shane advances into the Semi Finals.

Semi Finals

Playing out the pre-event Facebook banter between the two teams it couldn’t have worked out better. Team Japspeed vs Team Falken . Stephen Biagioni vs. Matt Carter. Two very close runs but an on-form Carter is judged to have deserved the win and advances into the finals.

An all Maxxis battle was set for the other place in the Finals between Mark Luney and Shane Lynch. Luney takes the advantage in the both the lead and chase runs knocking out Shane and putting him on a collision course with championship leader Matt Carter for the second time this season.

3rd Place Battle

The 3rd place battle was an all Team Japspeed lineup involving Biagioni and Lynch. It must be hard for a team manager looking on to see both their drivers up against each other knowing only one can advance – either way it would be a 3rd place podium for the team. The Japspeed Subaru makes a massive error on the first run meaning 0 points. Shane doesn’t take it any easier on the second run making sure of a 3rd place spot on the Podium!

Final

Our 2 Super Pro finalists are Mark Luney in the Team SATS Cosworth Supra and Team Falken’s Matt Carter in the S14.5. Luney’s car had the very obvious power advantage and the Nissan was the much lighter of the 2 cars. In the first run Carter straightens after the hill but just as it looks to be falling into Luney’s hands a massive spin just before the last corner of the judged area of the course hands it back to Carter – very out of character for this super-consistent driver. Matt Carter must be able to taste victory by now but must stay focused to ensure the win!

Yet again in the second battle Luney spins in almost exactly the same spot – watching the car transition back before the last turn the steering seemed incredibly slow (later reported as a power steering system failure by the team). Team Falkens Matt Carter would be crowned King of the Hill in BDC Round 4.

So there we have it – another truly spectacular round of the British Drift Championship. Round 5 of the Super Pro championship takes place at Silverstone Circuit on Sunday the 4th September as part of the TRAX car show. See you there ?

Full event gallery from all classes below….