Donington saw the newly liveried but still run by Eurotech #99 Porsche joining a large field for a single 2 hour race. Stuart started the race, happily missing the first lap melee and drove confidently for the first hour. Steve took over but immediately fell foul of a drive through penalty after the pit crew mistakenly changed tyres during the fuelling window - when only fuel and a replacement driver can be added. 30 seconds or so were lost in a frustrating grind down the length of the pitlane.

       

Some quick lappery straight afterwards found Steve consolidating an already secure position, picking off cars as several GT2 and GT3 runners found the going too tough but he found time to pass on a message regarding Mike Jordan's tyre which was badly damaged.

By the flag, a very solid and trouble free race had scored a valuable points finish for Stuart and Steve, 16th overall from a 26 car grid and 8th in what looks like being a hugely competitive GT3 class.

As the GT2 cars had raced at Magny-Cours the week before it was a real treat to see 20 GT3 cars racing on their own in 2 one hour races. As per normal Stuart started the race and kept with two Ferrari 360s. As the pit stop window started the safety car was sent out on track and Stuart took the opportunity to pit. Steve left the pit lane and was picked up by the safety car. Unlike last year he and 5 others were waved past to reclaim their correct positions - in Steve's case 11th. And then it rained and hail stones fell and Steve relished it. With the ABS Steve was able to pass 8 cars to come home an excellent 5th.

Race 2 on the Sunday was all to do with tyre choice. It had hailed heavily and then rained but just before the race it stopped. It was a gamble to go with intermediates but Steve did. The first lap was very hard and he lost places but as the track died he picked off the cars and at one point was the fastest car out on track. At the pit stop window it was decided to continue on intermediates but within minutes of Stuart getting in the car it rained again and Stuart had to try and keep the car on the circuit. He managed a very frustrating 15th.

The weather forecast for Knockhill is SNOW and thunderstorms. How glad am I that the tent will be left at home this weekend.

remaining GT Calendar for 2005

21st-22nd May Knockhill
28th-29th May Thruxton
25th-26th June Castle Combe
13th-14th Aug Silverstone (LMES)
17th-18th Sep Mondello (Eire)
8th-9th Oct Silverstone

http://www.cambridgebusinesstravel.co.uk for all your business travel

http://www.paragon.gb.com for Porsches

http://www.teameurotech.com for the team

http://www.britishgt.com Official GT site

Timetable for Knockhill

Saturday May 22nd
08:50 - 10:05 Free practice
12:55 - 13:40 Qualifying
17:10 - 18:10 Race 1
Sunday May 23rd
09:00 - 09:10 Warm Up!!!!!
13:30 - 14:30 Race 2
The team will be in the awning.

Timetable for Thruxton

Saturday May 29th
09:00 - 10:15 Free practice
13:30 - 14:10 Qualifying
16:40 - 17:40 Race 1
Sunday May 30th
10:50 - 10:55 Warm Up!!!!!
13:45 - 14:45 Race 2
The team will be in the awning.

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