Long Beach is always a difficult circuit, a track that punishes mistakes with a thump to the wall.  The support race for the Hot Hatch Heaven proved that, as bits of Honda's, Renaults and Fords littered the American street circuit by the time the 7 laps had finished.  Badbeat drove an inspired race early on in his Ford Fiesta, but J47TEE was flying in a similar version of the small Ford car, and took the lead 2 laps from home to win.  For Badbeat second was still a fantastic result and the Championship lead overall as well.  Devil Lord took the final step on the podium and Pro honours in his Renault 5, whilst ProAM went to Rhys who finished 4th in the Honda Civic.

A full grid lined up for the main event, including a new car in the shape of the AV Motorsport Audi Quattro.  As the lights tuned green the cars headed down to Holliday's for the first time, most taking things carefully, it looked like either JT or Posh Rob to lead them through, but the slightest touch left both on the marbles and the Honda of PMR Sutton in the lead.  The Championship leader was taking it easy on lap 1 and being shuffled back, and JT was also slightly in the wars through the opening few turns.  Bradders was up to second, with the second KRR Honda swarming all over the back of him, Rhys up to 5th, taking advantage of others being overcautious.  It looked early on that the two KRR Honda's were up for a repeat of Barcelona, but it became obvious quickly that, that couldn't be further from the truth as Bradders dived through into the lead at Coleman's on lap 3, and Rick was now back in 6th place.  Out front and Bradders was building up a lead, but that lead started to only come down once Devil Lord had got the Camaro up to second.  Devil stopped earlier than the Mazda and used the clear air to jump the little Japanese car after the stops.  It wasn't just a two horse race though, as Kidders was flying in the Alfa, and his progress only being slowed by the difficult to pass nature of the track.  Going into the last lap, and Devil was comfortable in the lead, but then the Camaro stuttered, the engine sounding very off, and then off completely as it cut out, had the car run out of fuel?  It seemed it had, and the Camaro freewheeled for half the lap before coming to a stop on the back straight under the tunnel, heartbreak for the driver.  Kidders couldn't believe his luck and celebrated a great drive through the field for his first victory in his new team.  "I struggled with the balance at the rear end when I first tested the car, but we've worked hard and it was brilliant around here, I couldn't believe how fast we were", stated the surprised winner at the end of the race.  For Bradders second was a fantastic drive, and puts him back at the top of the Championship table, whilst J47TEE recovered to third in the TOS Lancia.

Posh Rob ended up down in 8th, the Subaru not at its best here, but the driver happy with how he performed, ahead of him were a few different names.  The new Audi went really well on its debut for Xray and he took 6th place, whilst Rhys drove an inspired race to grab 4th.  WeeBilly is always a fast driver, but the Honda 2005 car isn't the best at Long Beach, and he drove well to take 5th having started last on the grid.

In AM, and Penfold drove a fantastic race, leading the class on lap 1, he was always inside the top 15 all race and dominated not only this class but the Class A for AWD cars.  Team boss Rob Morrall was keen to state how very impressed they were with in his performance at the end of the race.  Mad made it a Class A 1-2 for the RML Ferrari's, which spolit Empires perfect start of the season, as he was left back in third place.

So we head to a very different circuit now of Silverstone, where walls are not a problem, run off areas a plenty.  A lot of cars that should go well in Northampton have a high Pi as well, so don't write off seeing our fourth different winner in 4 rounds.

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Teams & Drivers:

AV Motorsport: Xray Energy 6th

New entry to the series, running a 1983 Audi Quattro in RWD trim.  Car was quick off the line, with strong accerlation, which suited the Long Beach circuit.  Xray patientally moved through the field from a low grid slot and was rewarded with a top 6 finish on his debut.

BTC Honda Civic: AtomStew DNF

The electrical issues that have blighted the team since Media Day, are still present.  Stew looked quick early on and a possible Class A winner, but then the car started cutting out and he headed into retirement.  Needs to fix the problem before his class hopes vanish.

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Cerberus  Chevrolet Camaro 02:  Devil Lord – 16th,           Kinkycowboys DNE

Only one of the Championship winning Camaro's were present, last years winner Kinky missing for personal reasons.  Devil Lord is really starting to come to terms with the the Camaro, and the car showed the pace that made it a winner here last season.  A few problems early on left him with tyres going off and needing to pit early, as it was obvious the car had pace.  A good battle out front with Bradders, he then had the lead after all the pitstops shaked out and looked set to win his second Thunder Enduro race, until the car run out of fuel starting the last lap.  He finished 16th at the end, which was poor reward for a great drive.  Fastest Lap will leave him on Pole at Silverstone.

Cerberus R&D Mazda MX5: Bradderstig 2nd

The reigning champion wasn't full of hope going into the race, the team worried about the power out of the corners and the long straight.  The car was reworked to give it more grunt at the expense of weight, and Bradders drove superbly to be in the hunt for victory all race.  leading early on, he could resist the charging Devil Lord, and then was beaten via the stops by the charging Kidders.  Took second with the last lap drama, and with it the championship lead.

DARE Alfa 4c: Wambogini 14th

Wambogini had been putting in the testing, and had the car at the right build, so was looking forward to the race.  Quick early on, until he crashed at Holliday's, his race became a two stopper.  14th seems to be his favourite finishing position, but he is getting closer to the pace of the sister cars, and could be a dark horse for a top 10 at Silverstone.

DART Alfa 4c: xKidders 1st,           Major Raver 11th

Brilliant win for Kidders, who had shown superb testing pace which left the team confident of a good result.  Took his time coming through from a low starting position, avoided problems and was one of the quickest in clean air, this allowing him to pass Bradderstig.  Was equally matched with Devil lord over the last 10 laps, and admitted he was very happy with second until the Cerberus car run dry.  No doubt he is in the Championship fight on this form.  Another difficult race for his teammate, who picked up damage when Wambogini crashed in front of him.  Stayed out for a few laps to one stop and then showed some good pace, but had a lot of cars to pass.  May have got in the top 10, until a lapped runner took him out at Coleman's damaging the car.  Held off Maj on the last lap for 11th. KIDDERS DRIVER OF THE DAY.

DMB34 BMW M2: Devilsboogeyman 21st

Devilsboogeyman was pleased to get through the first lap unscathed after the first two rounds.  Didn't have the pace of his AM rivals, but picked up valuable points and mileage, and we now head to circuits that might suit the BMW M2 well.