Qualifying went OK, but should have been in the 54's on my pre race online form. But again my start was a shocker. Revs up lights green, into first - and I bog down! It felt as though 2 or 3 cars went by, but exiting Turn 3 I was in 10th, and I think being on the inside for Turn 1 helped me gain ground into the braking zone.

I was behind Allen Cotton who was chasing down Dimitriu. Allen got by then on the next lap I had two attempts which I couldn't quite make stick. He then lost it on the kerbing and I was confronted with a car at 45 degrees to the track - I backed off but couldn't avoid hitting him. Not a drive through though, as it was unavoidable on an out of control car. Furner and Perkins were then breathing down my neck into the last chicane but I managed to stay ahead. Furner was tapped into that last corner and Perkins served a drive through next lap, leaving me all alone in P8 (following Pete Bunce's disappearance).

I was around 5 seconds behind Cotton for a few laps and 10 or so ahead of Fairley, but started to make silly mistakes. I dropped off Cotton and Brian started closing in. Then I lost it over the chicane at the top of the hill - managed to keep it on the tarmac and almost in a straight line but almost at a stand still - and Brian got by. I couldn't catch him - he was clearly quicker - and my race pace was way off what it had been pre race. So I was settling for 9th when Brian lost it at the first corner. I just managed to stay in front exiting Turn 3 as he rejoined, and then came nearly 3 laps of pressure to keep P8. Until the last lap I was doing OK. Brian turned the heat on though and watching the replay he was throwing it everywhere to gain time. I could see him looming in my mirrors, but drove a near perfect no mistake lap - and into the last chicane I held it together (that was the one spot I was strong all race), Brian going a bit sideways behind and dropping off at the flag.

So P8 from P9 on the grid. A very large and competitive field, so I'm pleased with that result. It equals my best in the GT3 Cup. Love these cars, and I managed to hold some pretty leary slides in this race. Congrats to the podium and all who entered.