A COUNTY motor star will go from racing in front of 1,000 fans to more than 10,000 this weekend as he takes to Knockhill Racing Circuit for one of the biggest meetings of the season at the home of Scottish motor racing - the memorial meeting to racing legend Steve Hislop.

Tranent's Grant Campbell, 24, will be racing in the KMSC Superstock 600 Championship tomorrow (Saturday) and Sunday as part of the MCE Insurance British Superbike Championship in a racing meet that attracts all the top British stars, including Shane 'Shakey' Byrne, who has raced at Moto GP and World Superbike level.

The 24-year-old will have to come through qualifying on Saturday before he enters the KMSC Superstock 600 Championship - a support race for the British Superbike championship - but he is looking ahead to competing, confident in his ability that he can come through qualifying unscathed.

"Over the weekend we get three races, which is pretty good in itself for track time," Campbell told Courier Sport.

"Fingers-crossed I should qualify in the top 10 and be there or thereabouts come the race meeting.

"I was racing at Knockhill last weekend and set a personal best so I am quite looking forward to this weekend. Between that and a meeting at East Fortune I have been setting personal bests so it's coming on well. I had a sixth at East Fortune a few weeks back.

"If you can try and impress at the British Championship level you can get a bit of recognition - between Saturday and Sunday about 30,000 turn up." With the creme de la creme of British racing stars heading to the Fife circuit to compete, Campbell will be surrounded by biking talent and is looking forward to the experience of rubbing shoulders with the best, while also trying to gain exposure for himself.

"It should be really good," he said. "When I was racing at Knockhill at the weekend a lot of British Championship boys were up practising. They are the best in Britain - guys that race world championship Moto GP.

"Obviously to race in front of 20,000 on Sunday is a difference to the 1,000 that turn up for Scottish Championship events. I will be in the same paddock as British touring teams, with their hospitality and big lorries.

"The aim is to do well and hopefully run at the front as they are really competitive championships to be racing in. If you can be at the front it sets you up for racing in England or anywhere else." Campbell, who rides a 600cc Kawasaki, only started racing four years ago, following in the foosteps of his brothers, uncle and grandad.

He funds the majority of his racing himself, with each race he enters a significant expense, with entry to certain race meetings in England more than �1,000. But that has not stopped him from aiming to compete south of the Border.

"It's a costly sport, average race meeting costs about �800," he said. Being self employed and not having many sponsors, it's hard work.

"You see stuff from Formula 1 with racers making millions. This racing is completely difference, we put a lot of money in. It is more of a passion sport.

"Over the year there are three different championships I ride in, mostly Scottish championship events. If I can find a bit of speed I'd like to race in England as well. There are strong championships in England, it's really competitive." To follow Campbell or to get in touch visit www.facebook.com/pages/96squared/103558609850288?ref=ts&fref=ts